About Ombudsman Arizona Charter Schools
Every student desiring to learn and earn a high school diploma deserves every opportunity to succeed. In a nutshell, that is the mission of Arizona Ombudsman Charter Schools.
We’re here to provide alternative paths to learning that speak to the needs of non-traditional students including students coping with adult responsibilities, students who lost their way and left high school too soon, students with a history of poor academic performance, students who would benefit from a quieter learning environment with one-to-one attention and small group settings, and students with a history of run-ins with the law. Working together, Ombudsman students and teachers focus on building trust and the positive relationships that are vital for promoting high levels of academic, social, and behavioral growth.
Our journey began in 1996 with the opening of the first Ombudsman Arizona Charter Alternative School in Phoenix. As a local affiliate of Ombudsman Educational Services, we collaborate with over 100 school districts nationwide to support at-risk students. Today, Ombudsman Charter Alternative Schools proudly operates eight schools in Phoenix, Tucson, and online. With the dedication of compassionate teachers, counselors, social workers, and other staff, our schools have enabled thousands of students to graduate from high school.
Who We Serve at Ombudsman Arizona:
Ombudsman students are just like you. Some students have personal, social, learning, family and environmental challenges that make it harder for them to be successful in a traditional classroom setting. Students choose our program for a variety of reasons.
Students we serve at Ombudsman Arizona include:
- Over age, under credit students.
- Non-traditional learners.
- Learners who want a focused, distraction-free school environment.
- Students who benefit from a flexible 4-hour school day schedule.
- Students who have other life responsibilities such as full-time work schedules or supporting family members or children.
- Students who are managing medical conditions.
- Students who dropped out of high school and want to return to earn their diploma.
- Students aged 14-21 (Arizona Charter High Schools).
- Adult learners aged 22+ (Ombudsman Career Academy).
Mission, Vision and Core Values
Ombudsman Charter School Mission Statement
Our mission is to provide personalized, evidence-based educational services for non-traditional learners in collaboration with families and public school districts. We offer educational programs and related services to students in one or more of the following categories: Students with behavioral issues, students identified as dropouts, students with poor academic standing, students with adult responsibilities and adjudicated youth.
Ombudsman Charter School Vision Statement
We believe all students have value, can learn and can develop their inherent talents to become contributing members of society.
Ombudsman Charter School Core Foundation
Ombudsman helps students establish a foundation of success they can build upon for the future. Students and teachers focus on building positive relationships that are vital for promoting high levels of academic, social and behavioral growth.
Ombudsman Accreditations & Affiliations
Ombudsman is accredited by Cognia, an international education accrediting organization, and is sponsored by the Arizona State Board for Charter Schools. It is part of Chancelight Education, the nation’s leading provider of behavioral health, therapy and education solutions for children and young adults.
To learn more about Ombudsman, the parent company of Ombudsman Arizona Charter Schools, visit the website.
Ombudsman Arizona Charter High Schools have proudly achieved Microsoft Showcase School status across all campuses, highlighting our district-wide commitment to innovative, technology-driven education. This designation recognizes our successful integration of Microsoft 365 tools to enhance personalized learning, improve collaboration, and prepare students with critical digital skills and industry certifications for future career success. Explore how our use of advanced technology supports student engagement and transforms learning at every Ombudsman Arizona campus. Read the full press release here.
About Chancelight Behavioral Health, Therapy & Education
ChanceLight, our parent company, has stood at the intersection of education, care, and possibility—working to change the direction of young people’s lives. This year marks 50 years of unwavering commitment, innovation, and most importantly, hope.
Hope has always been the heartbeat of Ombudsman Arizona’s mission. It fuels our belief that every student—no matter their past circumstances—deserves the opportunity to succeed. It drives our educators, counselors, and social workers to create learning environments where students feel safe, supported, and empowered to chase their goals. And it gives our students the courage to imagine brighter futures, even after setbacks.
Over the past five decades, we’ve seen firsthand how personalized learning, flexible schedules, and dedicated support can open doors that once seemed closed. Every student’s journey tells a powerful story—of resilience, growth, and transformation
To learn more about Chancelight Education programs, visit the website.
Community Partners
Expect More Arizona
Expect More Arizona brings together more than 340 partner organizations statewide to work toward a shared vision for world-class education system that prepares Arizona’s children to succeed and makes Arizona one of the best places to live, work and raise a family. Our shared vision includes the key elements that everyone can agree on – from having quality early learning experiences to every child being able to read proficiently by third grade and having the opportunity for some form of post-secondary education.
Homeless Youth Connection (HYC)
In partnership with the community, HYC’s mission is to raise awareness and meet the needs of homeless youth so they can stay in school and graduate. HYC’s goal is to provide homeless teens with host families, basic needs and services as they make positive, life-affirming choices toward becoming responsible, productive adults. Together with educators, government agencies, faith-based organizations, and compassionate community members and donors, HYC is helping to bring a positive future to this nearly forgotten population. Visit HYC’s Facebook page.
Year Up
Year Up’s mission is to provide young adults with the skills, experience and support that will empower them to reach their potential through higher education and professional careers. Year Up partners with Ombudsman to provide students the opportunity to attain professional experience and a higher education. There are more than 20 Year Up locations nationwide.
Youth on Their Own (YOTO)
YOTO was founded in 1986 and is a dropout prevention program that supports the high school graduation and continued success of homeless, unaccompanied youth in Pima County. YOTO partners with Ombudsman to provide homeless students with financial assistance, basic human needs, and guidance.
BLOOM365
Like so many compelling stories, BLOOM365 started on a napkin in 2006. It began with one survivor’s bold desire to get every U.S. city to affirm their commitment to breaking the silence and cycle of domestic violence during Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October.
And it BLOOMED from there—schools, communities, and military installations across the U.S. now implement our programs. All delivering on the BOLD goal to Uproot Abuse in a generation.
