Salt Lake City support helps Spectrum Academy serve students with autism

Community News

Salt Lake City, Utah, Foundation
A group of people standing in rows with a baseball field behind them.
Some of the 880 family members and students from the Spectrum Academy who attended Autism Acceptance Night at the Salt Lake Bees baseball game.

Key Points

  • Grant assistance from Marathon Petroleum’s Salt Lake City refinery is helping Utah’s first charter school for students with autism strengthen its programs and awareness of its mission.
  • Funding for the Spectrum Academy supported an awareness night at a local Triple-A baseball game, generating proceeds through an in-person and online auction.
  • Refinery funding will also help stage a fall fundraiser for the academy, which has more than 1,500 students across seven campuses.

The first charter school in Utah dedicated to serving students with autism is crediting community support for aiding its growth. Launched by a group of parents in 2006, the Spectrum Academy has increased enrollment from 150 students to more than 1,500 across seven elementary, middle and high school campuses in the Salt Lake City area.  

“As a charter school, financial assistance from corporate citizens like Marathon Petroleum Corporation (MPC) makes a meaningful impact,” Spectrum Academy Development & Communications Administrator Amy Baker said. “This support directly expands opportunities for students and families, and strengthens inclusive community events that would not be possible through public funding alone.”

Spectrum Academy staff members Whitney Lamb, Amy Baker and Lindy Woodland at the Autism Acceptance Night event, which also included an in-person and online auction to raise money for the academy.

Grant funding from MPC’s Salt Lake City refinery recently allowed the school to host Autism Acceptance Night at a game of the Salt Lake Bees, Salt Lake City’s Triple-A baseball team. The funding provided discounted tickets and special T-shirts for the 880 students and family members who attended, along with items for the Grand Slam Gallery auction at the game. Proceeds from in-person and online bidding went toward enhancing the school's sensory-friendly resources and student programming.

“Marathon’s commitment to autism acceptance makes a tangible difference in the lives of our students, helping them reach their full potential.”

A boy stands next to a costumed team mascot of a Bee.
 A student from the Spectrum Academy with the mascot of the Salt Lake Bees.

“Seeing the stadium filled with our event shirts was a powerful reminder of the strength and reach of our community and helped expand participation and visibility for the event,” said Baker.

The Spectrum Academy provides individualized instruction and a social skills curriculum tailored for students with autism and other neurodiverse learners. Programs address a wide range of academic, behavioral, social and emotional needs.

“The academy’s proven ability to help students succeed academically and socially prompted our support,” said Community Relations Representative Dean Adam with MPC’s Salt Lake City refinery. “The school’s mission corresponds with MPC’s priority of strengthening communities where we operate to be thriving places to live and work.”

The refinery’s 2026 grant funding for the Spectrum Academy will also assist with staging its fall fundraiser that will include a car show and a trunk-or-treat activity.

“Marathon’s commitment to autism acceptance makes a tangible difference in the lives of our students, helping them reach their full potential,” Baker said.

Launched by a group of parents in 2006, the Spectrum Academy has increased enrollment from 150 students to more than 1,500 across seven elementary, middle and high school campuses in the Salt Lake City area.