At ASU Prep Polytechnic, we are excited to unveil our Transformational Teacher Leader (TTL) program, a groundbreaking initiative designed to elevate both teaching and leadership within our school community. This program aims to empower our educators, enabling them to lead beyond their classrooms and drive educational excellence throughout our school.
What is a Transformational Teacher Leader?
Transformational Teacher Leaders embody the mission and core values of ASU Prep. They lead by example, make data and research-based decisions, implement innovative techniques, take risks, and foster collaboration across the entire school community.
“Our transformational teacher leaders are creating an environment where educators not only lead their own classrooms but also extend their leadership across the entire school, fostering a culture of excellence school-wide.”
– Dr. Lori Frazier, Principal at ASU Prep Academy Polytechnic
In their unique roles, TTLs continue to teach while assuming leadership responsibilities, providing an opportunity for those passionate about teaching yet eager for more responsibility to thrive in an advanced career track.
Principal Dr. Lori Frazier emphasizes, “Our transformational teacher leaders are creating an environment where educators not only lead their own classrooms but also extend their leadership across the entire school, fostering a culture of excellence school-wide.”
Meet our Transformational Teacher Leaders
Laura Grunewald
With 24 years of teaching experience, Ms. Grunewald has taught grades 3 through 8, with a significant focus on gifted learners. An Ottawa University undergrad and Northern Arizona University Master’s graduate, she is an experienced educator and coach.
Ms. Grunewald’s superpower is connecting people and fostering cohesive relationships toward shared goals. She is eager to collaborate with teachers to enhance student engagement through Project-Based Learning. Laura resonates with Benjamin Franklin’s quote, “Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn,” which encapsulates her passion for Project-Based Learning and the belief that all kids can learn.
Dr. Holly Cartwright
Dr. Holly Cartwright brings a wealth of leadership experience, having worked as a district curriculum specialist, school principal, and team lead. With a Ph.D. in Curriculum & Instruction from Capella University, her research focuses on closing achievement gaps and increasing graduation rates for ninth graders. Dr. Cartwright has implemented Project-Based Learning, standards-based grading, and mastery learning scales to boost student engagement and success.
Excited to be a Transformational Teacher Leader, she aims to cultivate a collaborative and inclusive learning environment. Her extensive experience across all K-12 grades gives her a unique perspective on vertical alignment, and she is committed to helping students and teachers learn and grow together. Dr. Cartwright embraces her right-brained creativity (despite being left-handed) and often thinks outside the box.
Commitment to Educational Excellence
The Transformational Teacher Leader program at ASU Prep Polytechnic marks a significant step in our commitment to educational excellence. With leaders like Dr. Cartwright and Ms. Grunewald at the helm, our school is poised for innovative teaching and enriched learning experiences. We are proud of these educators and their contributions to our school community, and we look forward to the positive impact they will have on our students’ educational journeys.
ASU Prep is proud to present Family Choice Day, a flexible, hybrid scheduling option available to students enrolled at our Phoenix, South Phoenix, Pilgrim Rest, and Polytechnic campuses in Arizona. This innovative program allows families to choose how and where their children learn on Fridays, creating a more dynamic and relevant educational experience. Families can adjust their enrollment choices quarterly, ensuring the program aligns with their evolving needs.
Flexible learning options
In-person learning
Students have the option to attend half-day in-person classes at an ASU Prep campus or engage in special in-person programming at an ASU campus. On-campus offerings include academic intervention, enrichment programs, special field trips, and on-site internships, all designed to provide hands-on, enriching experiences that support learners’ growth.
At-home learning
For those who prefer a home-based learning environment, students can complete a “Friday Playlist” that includes both online learning and offline learning opportunities. Options include family field trips, out-of-school enrichment programs, internships at approved sites, digital electives, coursework “must-dos,” as well “may-do” suggestions, such as journaling.
The background of Family Choice Day
The concept of a flexible fifth day originated at our ASU Prep Casa Grande campus, where a four-day school week has been in place for many years. The hybrid program allowed an extra day for students to engage in jobs, internships, and academic support activities. The success of this model was mirrored at the South Phoenix high school campus last year, leading to the decision to expand the program across more campuses.
Surveys of families and teachers highlighted a strong preference for a flexible Friday, enabling the program to align with family needs while maintaining academic rigor. This flexibility has proved beneficial, reducing burnout and increasing student engagement and success.
The benefits of Family Choice Day
Megan Hanley, Executive Director of School Design, notes, “Family Choice Day gives families the choice and flexibility for what works best for them.” This could mean offering students a chance to recharge and engage in activities that spark their interests, providing valuable family time, or enabling them to pursue work opportunities and explore new passions.
The hybrid learning model of Family Choice Day offers numerous advantages, including:
Family flexibility: Families can tailor their student’s learning experience to best suit their needs, whether it’s a day of fun learning at school or a relaxed learning day at home.
Student engagement: By providing a break from the traditional school week, students remain excited and engaged, both academically and in non-academic activities.
Personal growth: Students are encouraged to explore interests outside the standard curriculum, fostering creativity and personal development.
Staff collaboration: Teachers have the opportunity to lead classes in areas they are passionate about, enhancing the educational experience for both students and educators.
Real-world preparation: Students become familiar with blended learning environments found in college classes and modern workplaces.
Unique offerings across campuses
“It’s going so well,” shares Hanley. “Each school site is offering such a unique program. Classes are being led by all kinds of staff members, including our School Resource Officer at Downtown Phoenix, as well as great community partners.”
Some of the unique programs and activities offered at each campus:
ASU Prep Polytechnic STEM Academy: Drones, robotics, piñata-making and other crafts.
ASU Prep Polytechnic High School: Collaborations with ASU on robotics, cooking classes and more.
ASU Prep Pilgrim Rest: Fashion program collaborations and leadership coding initiatives.
ASU Prep South Phoenix: Virtual reality coding, soccer skills development and aquarium projects.
A community effort
“We are so appreciative of our entire staff throughout the Network,” says Hanley. “Working through all of the processes and changes is only possible if our staff see the possibilities, understand the goal, and exhibit perseverance through change. We are also so grateful to our families who have handled the change so well and are excited about the possibilities both at home and at school.”
Family Choice Day is more than just a schedule change—it’s a gateway to unlimited possibilities in learning and personal growth. We are thrilled to see our students thrive in this flexible, innovative environment.
US News & World Report honor the latest in No. 1 rankings for university
For the 10th year in a row, Arizona State University is No. 1 in innovation in the newly released annual “Best Colleges” 2025 rankings by U.S. News & World Report — just one of many top rankings earned by the university.
ASU has placed first in the peer-nominated category every year since the “most innovative” category was created by U.S. News & World Report magazine, and the university has ranked ahead of MIT and Stanford University each time.
“Receiving the top innovation ranking from our peers for a decade is significant, as it affirms that our enterprise-wide innovation mindset is deeply tied to our institutional identity,” said ASU President Michael M. Crow.
“ASU works hard to find and act on every opportunity at every level of teaching, discovery and operations to collaborate and manifest better solutions. We are proud of the variety and scope of impact we are making.”
The latest accolade joins a series of repeated No. 1 rankings in recent years for high-impact areas including innovation, sustainability and impact.
In the just-released STARS Sustainable Campus Index from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education, ASU ranked No. 1 in the United States and No. 2 in the world for its sustainability practices, ahead of Stanford, Cornell and Colorado State University. The index also put ASU in the top 10 worldwide for six “impact areas” of the assessment: No. 1 in air and climate, No. 2 in transportation, No. 3 in investment and finance, No. 7 in research, No. 9 in curriculum and No. 10 in public engagement.
For the fifth consecutive year, Times Higher Education ranked ASU No. 1 this summer in the U.S. for its work through education, research and practice in alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. For the overall ranking, ASU came in ahead of Michigan State University, Penn State University and MIT.
For the third consecutive year, ASU was the No. 1 public university for hosting international students by the 2023 Institute of International Education’s Open Doors Report, ahead of the University of Illinois, Purdue and the University of Michigan.
Other No. 1 rankings over the past several years include:
No. 1 in research expenditures for anthropology, by the National Science Foundation (2023), ahead of the University of Michigan, Harvard University, Stanford University and the University of Arizona.
No. 1 in transdisciplinary, multidisciplinary and other sciences, by the National Science Foundation (2023), ahead of Northwestern University, Johns Hopkins University, the University of Pittsburgh and Ohio State University.
No. 1 journalism school in top overall awards for news, by the Broadcast Education Association (2022–24), ahead of Syracuse, the University of Florida and the University of Southern California.
No. 1 in the world for international trade, by the QS International Trade Rankings (2023–24), ahead of the University of Michigan, Harvard and the University of Pennsylvania domestically, and the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom, University of Toronto in Canada and IMD in Switzerland, internationally.
In the past year, ASU has made a huge impact in several areas:
Microelectronics
Earlier this month, five projects in the ASU-led Southwest Advanced Prototyping Hub won nearly $30 million in federal funding to launch projects that will boost national security by enhancing U.S. microchip-making capability. In the spring, ASU entered into a partnership with DECA Technologies to collaborate on North America’s first Fan-Out Wafer-Level Packaging research and development capability.
Space
Last October, a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket lifted the Psyche spacecraft into the sky, the first NASA deep-space mission led by ASU and the culmination of a 12-year undertaking led by Lindy Elkins-Tanton, Foundation and Regents Professor in the School of Earth and Space Exploration, vice president of the ASU Interplanetary Initiative and the principal investigator of the Psyche mission. The spacecraft is traveling to the Psyche asteroid, which scientists believe could be part of a metal-rich interior of a planetesimal, a building block of a rocky planet.
It’s a mission that reaches far beyond the science team: ASU has involvedstudents and the community in the Psyche mission through art and education.
Heat mitigation
Arizona passed a law in the spring that guarantees mobile-home owners’ right to install cooling measures, thanks in large part to the work of the Knowledge Exchange for Resilience at ASU, an interdisciplinary team that worked for more than five years on the problem of extreme heat and mobile homes in the Valley.
Big grants
ASU won two big grants from the U.S. Agency for International Development: $80 million to create new learning opportunities and resources that support the success of young people in Africa, and $35 million to lead a large, interdisciplinary initiative to help reduce gender-based violence in El Salvador, with the goal of stemming the flow of irregular migration to the U.S.
In addition, the U.S. National Science Foundation chose ASU to lead a $15 million multi-institutional enterprise to confront climate challenges in the Southwest and spur economic development in the region.
Learn more about grants for solutions-oriented research on ASU News.
Artificial intelligence
In early 2024, ASU announced that it was the first higher education institution to collaborate with OpenAI, the AI research and deployment company behind ChatGPT. That led to the AI Innovation Challenge, in which more than 500 proposals for AI projects were submitted across the university. More than 200 of those projects are underway, including a bot to improve health care workers’ interviewing skills and the use of ChatGPT to enhance writing skills.
Top awards
Several of ASU’s community of faculty and administrators have won prestigious awards over the past year. Water expert Amber Wutich, President’s Professor and director of the Center for Global Health in the School of Human Evolution and Social Change, won a “genius grant” from the MacArthur Foundation, only the third ASU faculty member to do so.
Colleen Jennings-Roggensack, executive director of ASU Gammage and vice president for cultural affairs at ASU, won a Tony Honor for Excellence in Theater.
Regents Professor Michelene “Micki” Chi won the Yidan Prize for Education Research, the biggest award in education and an international honor that recognized her innovative approaches that help learners reach their full potential.
More from latest US News & World Report rankings
The “most innovative” ranking by U.S. News & World Report is based on peer voting. Institutions were nominated by college presidents, provosts and admissions deans across the country, and schools were chosen based on who is making the most innovative improvements in curriculum, faculty, students, campus life, technology and facilities.
ASU also was tied for No. 7 nationwide for undergraduate teaching — ahead of Yale, Stanford and Harvard universities — and No. 3 among public universities for the first-year college experience, ahead of the University of Michigan, Purdue University and Ohio State University.
In addition, ASU ranked highly in areas that are important for careers. The university was in the top 20 — along with Stanford, Cornell and Purdue universities — for service learning, in which students can apply what they learn in class in community activities. In the category of co-ops and internships for undergraduates, ASU ranked in the top 15 nationwide along with MIT, Duke and Harvard, and fifth among public universities, along with Georgia Tech, Purdue and Clemson — all part of continued, successful results in boosting the employability of ASU graduates.
Several ASU undergraduate degree programs ranked in the top 20 nationwide in the U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges for 2025:
No. 9 (tied) for business management information systems, W. P. Carey School; ahead of New York University, the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Michigan.
No. 9 for production/operations management, W. P. Carey School; ahead of the University of Indiana; the University of California, Berkeley; and NYU.
No. 10 for analytics, W. P. Carey School; ahead of Indiana University, Cornell and the University of Texas at Dallas.
No. 12 for business management, W. P. Carey School; ahead of the University of Southern California, Cornell and Pennsylvania State University.
No. 13 for accounting, W. P. Carey School; ahead of UC Berkeley, the University of Washington and Michigan State University.
No. 13 for environmental/environment health engineering, Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering; ahead of Princeton, Yale and Rice universities.
No. 16 for civil engineering, Fulton Schools; ahead of UCLA, the University of Washington and the University of Wisconsin.
No. 17 (tied) for industrial manufacturing, Fulton Schools; along with USC, Ohio State University and the University of Pittsburgh.
No. 18 (tied) for cybersecurity computer science, Fulton Schools; ahead of Duke University and the Rochester Institute of Technology.
No. 19 (tied) for electrical/electronic communications engineering, Fulton Schools; ahead of Harvard, Columbia and the University of Wisconsin.
No. 19 for artificial intelligence computer science, Fulton Schools; ahead of Duke, Purdue and Yale.
No. 19 (tied) for finance, W. P. Carey School; ahead of Georgetown University, USC and Emory University.
Additionally, Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation’s undergraduate nursing program rose to No. 39 (tied) from No. 52, ahead of Florida State University, Purdue and George Mason University. ASU’s undergraduate psychology programs rose to No. 42 (tied) from No. 51, ahead of Stony Brook University, the University of Iowa and Temple University. The Fulton Schools’ overall undergraduate engineering program was tied for No. 35, ahead of Michigan State University, Iowa State University and the University of Arizona.
Mesa, Arizona is home to 57 preschools, with the student population being mostly Hispanic or white. Parents who are looking to enroll their child have a number of daycares, pre-kindergarten programs, learning centers, and child care centers to choose from, but when it comes to class size, quality of education, and teacher qualifications, some schools stand out more than the others.
What to look for in a Mesa preschool
One of the most important qualifiers to look for in a preschool is how it encourages social and mental growth through educational programs to support your child’s development. From motor skills to language and behavior, children ages three to six are reaching important milestones that set the tone for long-term development.
However, this enrichment isn’t just for in-person classrooms—online schools should be evaluated in the same way. It is possible to enjoy hands-on activities, engaging experiences, and collaboration that allows your student to interact with others and grow from the comfort of your home.
The best local preschools in Mesa, AZ
Mesa public schools offer challenging curriculums with diverse options, including STEM, free Montessori, and other accelerated programs. Our selections for top schools factored in these offerings, along with class size and overall student and parent experience. Here’s a quick look at the best preschools in Mesa, AZ for 2024.
1. ASU Preparatory Academy Polytechnic Preschool
ASU Prep Poly Preschool aims to help students build strong foundations in both academics and social development while preparing students to enter ASU Prep Poly STEM Elementary. In February of this year, ASU Prep Poly earned a prestigious A+ School of Excellence Award by the Arizona Educational Foundation for its dedication to high-quality education. It’s a STEM-certified school that serves nearly 500 students in grades K through 4, offering a diverse, nurturing environment that helps each student build a strong foundation for their education.
Pre-K students at ASU Prep Poly interact with certified educators who focus on a play-based approach to activities, art, music, and beginning comprehension studies. It’s a supportive and warm environment where your child will grow their confidence and social skills while preparing for kindergarten enrollment.
And with smaller class sizes, teachers are able to spend more time with each child and focus on their individual growth. ASU Prep Poly follows Next Education Workforce, a teaching model that empowers educators and provides all students with a more personalized learning experience.
Betsy Fowler, Head of Schools at ASU Prep Academy, said, “In the classroom, we have a focus on what we call blended personalized learning, which means students are gaining really important technology skills and using technology tools, but also doing in-person learning where they’re collaborating with each other.”
Franklin Accelerated Academy is a National Blue Ribbon School that offers a traditional in-person environment for all students on a first-come, first-served basis.
The school’s programs are heavily influenced by parental input and guidance, with a focus on reading, writing, and math.
Stats on Franklin Accelerated – Brimhall:
759 PreK–6th grade students
Student-Teacher Ratio: 19:1
To learn more about Franklin Accelerated Academy – Brimhall Campus, please visit their Facebook.
3. Las Sendas Elementary School
Las Sendas is an A+ School of Excellence that’s known for their large, successful music program, and for being the only school in the district to teach the Suzuki Method, which every child is required to learn.
Canyon Rim Elementary offers three different preschool programs: Kindergarten Prep, Building Blocks 3, and Advantage Preschool.
Kindergarten Prep is the traditional program (either in-person or hybrid) that helps students jump start their traditional learning pathway.
Both Building Blocks and Advantage Preschool Programs offer a specialized curriculum based on AZ Early Childhood Standards, with Building Blocks focusing on building confidence and Advantage Preschool focusing on critical thinking and social-emotional development.
With Spanish-language programs at the forefront, Hermosa Vista is known for its dual-language immersion program and FLEX program, helping students gain Spanish language skills.
The school is health focused and follows Next Education Workforce, a teaching model that empowers educators and provides all students with a more personalized learning experience.
The Advantage Preschool option includes Integrated SPICE—a blended program with a maximum of 12 students learning and collaborating in one inclusive environment. It promotes social interactions and communication skills through peer modeling and intentional feedback.
The Building Blocks program is designed using AZ Early Childhood Standards, creating a foundation for young students that promotes confidence within an elementary school environment.
Students focus on critical thinking skills and social-emotional development in an inclusive environment for all levels.
The implementation of The Creative Curriculum allows students to explore different learning styles and modalities, which can then be tracked by teachers to create an individualized education for each student.
In addition to STEM Enrichment Preschool and Montessori, Pre-k students at Zaharis Elementary also have access to the CTE Preschool & Childcare Program.
The school implements a tuition-based education for children who are three to five years old and directed by a highly qualified educator with a specialty in early childhood education, as well as high school students working toward their educational career via CTE Education Professionals.
Like other elementary schools within their district, Zaharis follows The Creative Curriculum and offers an individualized approach to preschool education with age-appropriate activities.
ASU Prep Poly Preschool is a tuition-free public preschool. Through a diverse school environment and family partnerships, ASU Prep Poly Preschool helps students build strong foundations in both academics and social development through a combination of structured and free play. Our preschool students learn to share, interact with others, develop reasoning skills, and build confidence and self-esteem to make a seamless transition to Kindergarten.
We believe all students can achieve success at the highest levels. Our education is personalized, project-based, and delivered at a pace that meets students where they are. The pathway to higher education and career success continues all the way through high school at ASU Prep Poly STEM Elementary, ASU Prep Poly Spark Institute, and ASU Prep Poly High School.
Chartered by Arizona State University, ASU Preparatory Academy students are Sun Devils from day one, receiving regular opportunities for mentorship by ASU students and faculty. We’re helping students discover and pursue their passions, achieve their goals, and build a lifelong love of learning on their journey to success.To learn more about ASU Prep, please visit our website.
Tech-savvy 5th grader William Macdonald takes STEM-centered learning seriously. As a student at ASU Prep Polytechnic STEM Academy, William has a passion for coding and an entrepreneurial spirit that shines as bright as the circuits he loves to tinker with. Recently, it inspired him to orchestrate the first-ever ASU Robot Race.
William and a friend presented a proposal for this innovative event to the school counselor and Principal Claudia Mendoza, receiving an enthusiastic green light. William then designed marketing materials on Canva, recruited participants, and planned a challenging track filled with obstacles designed to test the mettle of each competing robot.
While William won’t be competing in the race he designed, he is thrilled to oversee the competition that includes grade representatives in grades 3 through 6. The grand prize on the line? A pizza, cupcake, and movie party for the winning contestant’s entire class.
William’s knack for technology isn’t just limited to school projects. Check out the February 2024 issue of Epic Kids to learn about his other enterprises, including constructing walls and wiring the lighting in his family’s home. With dreams of following in his parents’ footsteps to attend ASU for his undergraduate studies, William Macdonald is a shining example of where curiosity, creativity, and a love for technology can lead.
We are thrilled to announce that ASU Preparatory Academy Poly STEM Elementary has been named one of just 37 Arizona public schools to receive the esteemed A+ School of Excellence Award for the 2023-2024 academic year by the Arizona Educational Foundation. This award, a testament to high-quality education, recognizes ASU Prep Poly STEM Elementary “as a model and a beacon of success to schools throughout Arizona and the nation.”
ASU Prep Poly STEM Elementary, a tuition-free K–6 school, offers an innovative and rigorous STEM-infused curriculum in a learning environment where students are encouraged to explore, inquire, and engage in real-world problem-solving that will ultimately guide them to college and career success. Additionally, ASU Prep Polytechnic is a STEM-certified school, one of the few with this additional level of rigor for students.
The coveted A+ designation, the highest state-level award given to public schools, underscores the school’s dedication to educational excellence. Initiated in 1983, the A+ School of Excellence award process evaluates schools on multiple aspects including teaching and learning strategies, student achievement, leadership, and community integration. The selection process involves an extensive review by a panel of A+ principals, teachers, and district leaders, followed by a multi-day site visit led by a team of A+ award judges.
ASU Prep Poly STEM Elementary’s A+ achievements
ASU Prep Poly STEM Elementary Principal Claudia Mendoza shares some insights into what sets the school apart:
Our school prioritizes innovative teaching methods and fosters a dynamic learning environment that encourages curiosity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills among students.
We are committed to ensuring that every student reaches their full potential academically, socially, and emotionally. Through personalized instruction and support, our students consistently excel in their academic endeavors.
Our instructional leaders, teachers, and staff demonstrate exemplary leadership skills by setting high expectations, providing guidance and support, and fostering a positive and inclusive school culture.
ASU Prep Poly STEM Elementary actively engages with the community to enhance the educational experience of our students. We collaborate with parents, local organizations, and businesses to provide enriching opportunities and resources that extend beyond the classroom.
Upon receiving this recognition, Principal Mendoza expressed, “This award is a validation of our collective efforts and reaffirms our commitment to excellence in education. It serves as a source of pride and motivation for our students, staff, parents, and community partners, inspiring us to continue striving for greatness.”
The school plans to celebrate this achievement to honor everyone who contributed to this success. Principal Mendoza shares, “It’s important to acknowledge and celebrate our accomplishments as a school family, and this recognition is definitely worth celebrating.”
Learn more
We invite you to attend an information session to learn more about what makes ASU Prep Poly STEM Elementary an A+ School of Excellence.
Black History Month is an annual celebration of the profound contributions that African Americans have made to all facets of society. Throughout this month, we come together to honor the legacies and ongoing achievements of Black individuals. Here is a sampling of Black History Month events hosted by our ASU community:
George Floyd Global Memorial to present ‘Twin Flames’ exhibit
This arts experience is a unique partnership between the ASU Art Museum, the ASU Center for Work and Democracy, and the George Floyd Global Memorial. Enjoy an insightful guided walkthrough in addition to a food truck with delicious bites, mocktail bar, and entertainment.
This entirely student-led cabaret helps provide an opportunity for composers, lyricists, librettists, and performers of color, formed through personal connections, friends, and colleagues from all over ASU, to share their creativity.
February 3, 2024 at 7:30 p.m. and February 4, 2024 at 3 p.m.
Black Liberation Through the Marketplace with Rachel Ferguson
Join author Rachel Ferguson as she discusses Black Liberation Through the Marketplace, and come away with a better understanding of Black history and creative ideas for how to make this nation truly one with liberty and justice for all.
International Jazz Day AZ Foundation’s co-presents JADE
Jade Johnson has performed beloved renditions of the National Anthem at Suns, Mercury, Diamondbacks, Clippers and Lakers games, and landed acting roles on TV’s “Blackish” and in theater Off Broadway. From jazz and pop to R&B, hear a focused singer-songwriter hitting her stride.
Step into a world brimming with entertainment and education. This all-ages extravaganza includes food trucks, music, games, vendors, speakers – and good vibes. Brace yourself for thought-provoking panel discussions and workshops focusing on vital community empowerment topics such as finance, home-buying, and more.
ASU Preparatory Academy’s Polytechnic campus recently celebrated a special birthday: its Sweet 16.
Since a “Sweet 16” celebration is an opportunity to highlight growth while also looking forward to future successes, the ASU Prep Poly community plans to do just that. Reflecting on the school’s growth, K–6 Principal Claudia Mendoza, says, “Change is good. Because we can’t do the same old thing in the same old way.”
So, what has changed in the last sixteen years? The size of the program, including the number of students and the amazing opportunities offered them, has grown tremendously. And what remains the same is equally important. According to Mendoza, it’s the amazing staff’s “commitment to our school, our students, and our learning community.”
Speaking to the ASU Prep Poly staff, the excitement about this milestone and the school community in general is evident—and contagious. They eagerly take the opportunity to reminisce, reflect and plan for the future. Here are some of their insights.
Continuous progress
As the first ASU Preparatory Academy to open in 2008, the Poly campus was humbly housed in a little office complex, then later shared space in the former Veterans Hospital. Brenda Brown has been with Poly from the very beginning as both a parent and K–6 teacher. She recollects the first informational meeting, as people gathered on lawn chairs in an unfurnished office.
In those beginning years, Coach Brown shares how families and community businesses joined forces for “dirt day,” relocating unused dirt from ASU’s Tempe sports fields to create a P.E. space. Over time, as the students grew up, so did the programs and spaces to accommodate them. The middle school and high school were established and ASU Prep Poly ultimately found its home within state-of-the-art buildings on the ASU Polytechnic campus.
The ASU connection
ASU Prep Poly is proud of its close relationship with ASU, recently ranked No. 1 in innovation for the 9th straight year by U.S. News & World Report. Principal Mendoza explains, “Our kiddos see themselves as Sun Devils from day one” as students from Barrett, the Honors College work with students on projects, like coding. The college faculty is also involved, providing holiday presents for Poly students in need.
“Our kiddos see themselves as Sun Devils from day one.”
—Claudia Mendoza, K–6 Principal ASU Prep Poly STEM Academy
ASU Prep Poly STEM 7–12 Principal Lori Frazier highlights the additional benefits of the ASU connection: every student has the chance to take university or concurrent courses while in high school, saving them time and money when they get to college and exposing them to future STEM careers. Principal Frazier explains that ASU Prep Poly continues to build these pathways for students, working with ASU’s engineering program, for example, regarding future careers in the growing field of semiconductor and microelectronics.
ASU Prep Poly’s innovative education
The school began with a vision to immerse students in project-based and STEM-centered learning starting in elementary grades, and today is proud to be STEM-certified by Cognia, an accreditation based on rigorous, research-based standards and best practices.
Principal Frazier says, “We are truly focused on each individual student and personalizing their pathway, not just high school graduation, but to get them in a post-secondary program.” ASU Prep Poly’s innovative and personalized learning curriculum prepares each student for this journey.
“We are truly focused on each individual student and personalizing their pathway.”
—Lori Frazier, Principal ASU Prep Poly STEM 7-12
“Our education is multidisciplinary,“ shares Mendoza. “Students are exposed to the STEM field in kindergarten, learning how to code robots. They’re learning all about the engineering process. They’re doing things that are meaningful to them, but at the same time, solving problems, utilizing logic and code, and collaborating with their peers. That’s what sets us up for success later on, as students get older.”
ASU Prep Poly’s student life and clubs
ASU Prep Poly faculty takes time to boast about their students’ extracurricular achievements with Amy Kochis, K–6 Assistant Principal, making a special note of Colorguard. “Our first Colorguard started 16 years ago with only 15 members. Today, the program has flourished into a remarkable achievement, with more than 110 students across five different groups. This growth reflects not only the dedication our staff has to our students but also the commitment to excellence and inclusivity embedded here at ASU Prep.”
Coach Brown adds some of the ASU Prep Poly athletic programs that have taken shape over the years: volleyball, cross country, flag football, girls and boys basketball, cheer, soccer, golf, softball, baseball, wrestling, swim, and track & field. Not to mention standout clubs like Robotics, Student Government, Key Club, and National Honor Society.
Close knit community
Beth Sullivan, an ASU Prep Poly teacher since its inception, shares how her family moved to Arizona from Michigan in search of a school that would provide “a strong sense of community, as well as a solid, innovative, and academically rigorous education” not only for her three sons as students, but also for her as a teacher. “The four of us began our ASU Prep journey together. We celebrate how fortunate we are to have been surrounded by such an amazing community of families, as well as talented, caring, innovative, and creative educators.”
“We are surrounded by such an amazing community of families, as well as talented, caring, innovative, and creative educators.”
—Beth Sullivan, ASU Prep Poly teacher
Sullivan’s children graduated from ASU Prep Poly STEM High School and went on to complete undergraduate degrees from ASU. Principal Mendoza shares that watching students grow up and graduate is a special part of the job: “I get to see kids go from being little elementary kiddos to being a middle schooler and then on to a high schooler, looking at college and career choices.”
Assistant Principal Kochis agrees, “One of the best things I have had the opportunity to witness was the graduation of students I first taught as Kindergartners. The joy of seeing them successfully navigate their educational journey from the early years to high school graduation is truly rewarding.”
Lori Gutierrez, Health Assistant and 16-year Poly veteran shares a favorite tradition, “Our Senior Walk is so special! I love seeing the seniors walking through the halls at the elementary campus. When teachers and I see students that we have known since they were in elementary school, it brings tears to our eyes. We are extremely proud of them.”
“The joy of seeing [our students] successfully navigate their educational journey from the early years to high school graduation is truly rewarding.”
—Amy Kochis, K–6 Assistant Principal ASU Prep Poly STEM Academy
Many of the ASU Prep Poly staff members, including Gutierrez, describe the community as “family.” Principal Mendoza credits the staff for that, describing them as the backbone of the school, whose actions and decisions “come from the heart.” Kochis adds: “The extraordinary culture, dedicated staff, engaged families, thriving students, innovative practices, and a strong sense of community. This is a place where education goes beyond the curriculum, shaping students into well-prepared, confident individuals ready to navigate the world!”
Looking to the future of ASU Prep Poly
Principal Frazier, whose own sons graduated from ASU Prep Poly, wants to continue to share their school community with others, growing enrollment, and further strengthening the ASU pathway to future careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Principal Mendoza adds that as they continue to support students in learning and taking advantage of all the available opportunities, she also looks forward to continued high rankings in state testing and school grades.
“This is a place where education goes beyond the curriculum, shaping students into well-prepared, confident individuals ready to navigate the world.”
—Amy Kochis, K–6 Assistant Principal ASU Prep Poly STEM Academy
Assistant Principal Kochis adds, “My hope is to continue building on the incredible culture already in place and infusing it with innovation. Together, we can continue to create an environment where every student thrives academically, socially, and emotionally.”
Learn more about ASU Prep Poly
ASU Preparatory Academy Polytechnic, along with all the schools in the ASU Prep network, are on a mission to design new models for educational success and raise academic achievement for all learners. To learn more about ASU Prep’s innovative, personalized, project-based learning, visit our website.
Here are some of our favorite moments from this year’s celebration.
ASU Prep Academy is hosting several Kinder Round-Up information sessions at our four elementary locations in the metro Phoenix area.
At the event, families will have an opportunity to meet our teachers, tour our campuses, and learn more about our Kindergarten program, which features:
Tuition-free full-day options
One-to-one technology devices
Individualized learning plans
Gifted program options in Spring semester
After-school programming
To learn about Kindergarten eligibility and VIP on-site enrollment, click here.
At ASU Prep, we believe that a strong and vibrant community is fundamental to the success of our students! Our community, composed of dedicated educators, motivated students, and supportive families, forms the backbone of our learning environment.
We encourage active community participation to foster a culture of collaboration and mutual respect. This community spirit extends to our free, family-friendly neighborhood events. We hope you’ll join us!
ASU Prep Polytechnic High School is hosting a Sweet 16 Birthday Celebration, a very special birthday bash to celebrate sixteen years of serving students. Join us Friday, January 19, 3:30-6:30 p.m. for festive fun for the whole family, including bounce houses, video game trucks, hands-on STEM and robotics, and giveaways! RSVP today.
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