Anthem council welcomes new director and hears local autism school present services for students

The Anthem Community Council opened its meeting by introducing new director Nolan Sales and then heard a presentation from Victory Autism Academy Principal Elena Rivius on services for students on the autism spectrum.

Rivius told the council the Anthem campus is in its first year and currently enrolls 21 students. She said classes are intentionally small — “one teacher, two support staff per class with 12 to 14 students” — and that the school provides speech and occupational therapy in a push‑and‑pull model alongside weekly specials such as art, music and animal therapy to build social and life skills. “Nobody really knows how great these kids are until they get the chance to interact with them,” Rivius said, advocating community engagement.

Why it matters: the presentation outlined available local services for families seeking specialized K–12 instruction and previewed a new 18–22 program, Victory Horizon Life Works, aimed at post‑graduation life skills and employment readiness beginning in 2026–27. Rivius described practical goals ranging from backpack‑carrying and restroom independence to interview coaching and on‑the‑job readiness for graduates.

Staff and board members asked how they could help. Rivius said the campus is seeking outreach and awareness in Anthem; she noted recent milestones including a kindergarten promotion and community outings that the school uses to demonstrate students’ capabilities. Director Sales, newly seated on the council, thanked members for the appointment and said he looks forward to contributing as a resident and parent in the community.

The council offered to assist by connecting the school with ACC outreach channels and neighborhood networks. No formal action was required; staff said they would follow up on ways to amplify the school’s visibility in community communications and event programming.