At Agua Fria High School District, educators and local businesses are teaming up to help students pave a pathway to success. Whether students choose higher education, a career, or enlistment, every high school graduate will be prepared with the skills necessary for meeting their college and career goals. The shared responsibility of educating our youth has brought forth the prestigious Academies of the Southwest Valley (The Academies).
The Academies will provide robust, tailored academic experiences for students to explore high-wage, in-demand careers and understand the education, training, and credentials needed to meet their career and college goals. Through partnerships with local businesses and aligning core classes like Algebra, English, Arts, and U.S. History with workforce-focused experiences, students can apply classroom lessons with real-world expectations.
“As part of our 10-year strategic plan, we are excited to partner with the local business community to launch The Academies. The Academies will give every student extensive exposure to work-based learning that not only enriches their educational experience but also strengthens the workforce of our cities, fostering economic growth and sustainability by cultivating a skilled and adaptable workforce,” stated Trey Terry, Governing Board Member. Our close collaboration with local businesses ensures our curriculum reflects the current standard in the workplace and what’s expected in a collegiate setting.”
As Agua Fria High School District embraces this new academic model, it recognizes the business community’s vital role in shaping the future workforce through internships, mentoring, guest speakers, job shadowing, and workplace tours. One such partner is WESTMARC, which has taken the lead in contributing to the development of the Academies and is committed to providing ongoing involvement.
“Having business at the table will make a significant impact on the workforce pipeline in the
Southwest Valley,” said Sintra Hoffman, President and CEO of WESTMARC. “Our organization is working alongside the District to recruit industry and business leaders to become actively engaged with the schools. The Academies are a workforce development strategy that will provide the region with educated and skilled professionals. This will help propel the West Valley forward in a competitive fashion, attracting new businesses and creating excellent career opportunities for residents.”
Together, with support from the business community, The Academies of the Southwest Valley will empower every student to reach their full potential. To learn more, explore the Academies of the Southwest Valley website: aguafria.org/academies.