FIND YOUR PATH. FIND YOUR FUTURE.

• Dobson High School

• Mountain View High School

• Red Mountain High School

• Skyline High School

• Westwood High School

College and Career Academies are centered on these principles

Smaller Learner Communities

Smaller learning communities consist of teams of cohorted students, teachers, and business partners. Together, they create a collaborative environment that actively engages every student.

College Readiness

College readiness goes beyond academic achievement—it’s about equipping students with the skills, experiences, and mindset needed to succeed in postsecondary education. Through opportunities like Honors, AP, IB, and dual enrollment courses, students will engage in rigorous learning while also developing personalized Education and Career Action Plans aligned with their future college and career goals.

Learning Through a Career Connected Lens

Real-world problems are brought into the classroom, fostering critical thinking and creativity. This approach not only meets academic standards and goals but also develops technical and employability skills that are valuable in both college and any career.

Graduation Plus Outcomes

Students will identify and pursue "pluses" that enhance their high school experience and future readiness, including industry certifications, work-based learning experiences, college credits, post-secondary readiness and advanced diploma designations. Each student will create a personalized college and career readiness plan, outlining their chosen pathways and opportunities.

Business and Community Collaboration

Local businesses and post-secondary institutions collaborate as advisers for teachers and mentors for students.  These partnerships create relevant curriculum and give students access to job fairs, college visits, job shadowing, internships and so much more.

Parent Engagement

Parent and guardian participation is critical in supporting students' college and career success. Parents also provide useful expertise as professionals themselves and can mentor students, advise academies and provide other work based learning opportunities.

Academies at Grade Level

FRESHMAN ACADEMY

College and career academies for high school students start in freshman year, with the Freshman Academy offering unique and engaging experiences for 9th graders. Students will:

• Join a small learning community with a core group of teachers and peers.

• Develop essential skills, aligned to the Portrait of the Graduate,  to navigate high school expectations and routines within a supportive environment.

• Engage in deeper, more personalized learning experiences.

• Identify their interests and strengths before choosing an academy for grades 10-12.

• Connect with colleges and employers aligned with their interests.

• Begin developing their high school and post secondary goals.

Freshman Interest Assessment

Since 2008, Mesa Public Schools has integrated career interest assessments into the State Board of Education’s Education Career Action Plan (ECAP) requirements. These assessments assist students in identifying their strengths, aptitudes, and interests, enabling them to make informed decisions about course selections and explore recommended college and career options. Through these assessments, students can align their interests, skills, and passions with high school academy and course offerings, as well as potential college and career pathways. Students engage in exploratory projects and activities throughout the year based on their results. Currently the district is using an assessment provided by YouScience Bright Path or Arizona Department of Education’s My Future AZ.

College & Career Academies 10th - 11th Grade

Students join a career themed academy their sophomore year that connects academic subjects to a broad career theme through an Academy Core of classes. In addition;

• Students and teachers engage in experiential learning, bringing lessons to life while developing skills in collaboration, communication, and critical and creative thinking.

• Every student has the opportunity to participate in learning experiences that deepen their understanding of various college and career opportunities while connecting to their academic core classes.

• Students have increased access to earning college credits and industry credentials.

• They gain valuable work experience and networking opportunities.

• Each student develops a postsecondary plan tailored to their chosen path after high school.

12th Grade

All learning experiences within the Academy are intentionally designed to lead students toward a menu of options their senior year, aligned with their post-secondary and career goals. These may include internships, apprenticeships, college courses, advanced coursework such as AP or IB classes, capstone projects, and industry-themed projects. These experiences build over time and culminate in the senior year with meaningful, real-world applications that connect academic learning to future pathways.

Work-Based Learning Experiences

Work-based learning (WBL) experiences provide students with real-world exposure to careers by connecting classroom learning with hands-on, practical application in professional settings. These experiences include internships, job shadows, apprenticeships, industry projects, and mentorships with professionals.

WBL is important because it helps students explore career interests, develop essential employability skills, and gain a clearer understanding of workplace expectations. It builds confidence, strengthens resumes, and often leads to valuable networking opportunities. Most importantly, work-based learning bridges the gap between education and the workforce, helping students make informed decisions about their futures and increasing their readiness for college, careers, and life.

Sample Work-Based Learning Experiences include but are not limited to:

Academy Choices

Academies are aligned with broad career themes, opening pathways to a wide range of college and career opportunities. Through these themes, students cultivate skills aligned with the Portrait of a Graduate, preparing them for future success.

Each academy cohort will allow students them to learn and apply academic skills through the lens of their academy’s career-focused theme. Each academy will provide real-world learning experiences aligned with its theme, helping students make meaningful connections between their coursework and future careers. Students will also have the opportunity to earn one or more industry-recognized certifications approved by the Arizona Department of Education—some of which may qualify for college credit through Mesa Community College, giving them a valuable head start on their postsecondary journey. The current academy themes include:

Frequently Asked Questions