Career and Technical Education

Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs prepare students to enter the workforce with the academic and vocational skills needed to compete successfully in the job market. CTE courses typically include competency-based learning.

Programs include:

• Architecture
• Automotive Technology
• Computer Animation
• Culinary Arts
• Education Professions
• Engineering
• Film & TV
• Fire Science
• Graphic/Web Design
• Sports Medicine
• Laboratory Assisting
• Journalism
• Law, Public Safety, and Security
• Marketing
• Entrepreneurship
• Photography
• Software Development

Athletics

Participation in athletics provides an opportunity to add to the overall educational experience of a student and teaches much more than sports skills and fitness. Athletics are a vehicle to teach life skills, character, pride, self-confidence and much more. Development of these skills does not just occur when students participate; these skills are the result of athletic programs that choose to make them a priority. The Dysart Unified School District philosophy is to provide all students with an environment that is safe and encourages active participation in a variety of middle school and high school sports activities.

Fine Arts PROGRAMS

Dysart Unified School District's fine arts department provides students the opportunity to explore their artistic side through a rigorous and relevant comprehensive fine arts program aligned with state and national standards (see link below to view the Arizona fine arts standards). All students will participate in a progressive, performance-based curriculum that encourages students to reach their academic, creative and expressive potential. Dysart's fine arts program includes:

• All art, music and band teachers are highly qualified per state requirements.
• All 1-8 students receive instruction in art and music.
• Band is offered at each school as a pull-out program for grades 7-8.
• High school graduation requirements require one credit in fine arts or CTE.
• Classes are offered at the high school level in visual arts, performing arts, theatre, choral, instrumental, general music and dance.

Rachel's Challenge

The Dysart Unified School District is committed to providing our students a safe, supportive learning environment that prepares students to be future leaders and supports the District vision, 'Power in the Preparation, Excellence in the Journey, Success for a Lifetime.' To support this, Dysart implemented the Rachel's Challenge program in all 23 schools, as well as in the preschool and alternative education programs. Rachel's Challenge is a program designed to inspire, equip, and empower people to create a positive culture change in their school and community by starting a chain reaction of respect, kindness and compassion.

The Cambridge Academy

The Cambridge Academy is an advanced academic program for middle school students, at Marley Park and Countryside Elementary school serving 6th, 7th and 8th grade students. An internationally recognized program sponsored by Cambridge University in England, the academy offers a rigorous and relevant curriculum, preparing students to take a series of comprehensive examinations at the end of their 8th grade year.

Examinations are scored by Cambridge University, and the students will receive feedback about their performance compared to students across the world. The advanced curriculum in Math, Science, English, and foreign language prepares students for advanced programs in high school, such as International Baccalaureate (IB) and Advanced Placement (AP) - providing additional academic rigor for students to excel beyond state grade level expectations. Academically talented students are encouraged to apply for entry into the Dysart School District Cambridge Program.

Innovation Academy

The Dysart Innovation Academy provides a personalized learning environment for students in grades 5-8. Utilizing digital learning tools and relevant, project based instructional approaches, the academy personalizes education for students by addressing the distinct learning needs, interests, and aspirations of individual students. In this personalized learning environment the students move from a “one-style-fits-all” approach to student-centered learning.

Global Academy

The Global International Academy at Luke Elementary School is an interdisciplinary program that provides students with an opportunity to learn locally and grow globally. Students will learn world languages while also developing communication and leadership skills to work with diverse audiences. Students will also learn the language of coding and how computer science can be used to solve problems around the globe. The interconnectedness approach to study is a hallmark of this academy. It is an inquiry-driven approach to teaching and learning that is anchored in the Arizona College and Career Ready Standards.

Coding for All

Surprise Elementary School will provide instruction focused on computer coding and computational Students learning code on laptops.thinking using a personalized learning based instructional design. Students will learn coding using hands on experiences in an age appropriate environment as they master Arizona State Standards. Students will also engage in computational thinking, a problem solving process that involves designing solutions that capitalizes on the power of computers.

The Arts Academy

The Dysart Arts Academy serves students at West Point Elementary School with the mission to provide an arts-enriched learning environment merging creative and academic content to enhance student achievement. Academy students are required to take language arts, reading, mathematics, science, and social studies with the opportunity to participate in arts elective courses each year. Elective course offerings include band, orchestra, chorus, visual arts: 2-D, 3-D and graphic arts, theater, dance, and ITV/video production.

The Arts Academy goal is to teach the core curriculum in an arts-enriched learning environment. The belief is that the arts are conducive to powerful learning, and that increasing the presence of the arts in all subjects will increase motivation, relevance and achievement for students. By creating an arts focus for Dysart, the Academy will establish mutually supportive partnerships with arts organizations and artists across the region including the West Valley Arts Council, Phoenix Symphony, West Valley Symphony, Phoenix Opera, Communiversity, Maricopa Community Colleges, and ASU. Faculty and students also collaborate with high school arts programs in the district and share facilities; including the Performing Arts Center at Valley Vista High School.

STEM SCHOOL

Canyon Ridge School is dedicated to the integration of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) throughout daily instruction and interaction. Canyon Ridge thrives because the school is a learning community of lifelong learners committed to preparing capable citizens with a strong academic foundation, a positive self-concept and an understanding of the individual’s responsibilities within the larger society. Curriculum and instruction are organized around real-world problems - extending the educational experience extends beyond the school day and the school walls. Students gather and apply knowledge from multiple disciplines with particular emphasis on science, math and health supported by transforming uses of technology. Collaboration, team building and partnerships define interactions among all members of the learning community. Problem-based learning, flexibility in grouping and in use of time, research and assessment to drive instructional decisions, and innovative approaches to teaching and learning are hallmarks of experiences at Canyon Ridge School.

Personalized Learning

The Dysart Unified School District aims to provide a personalized learning environment where students demonstrate educational competency with tailored learning pathways that empower them for a rapidly changing world.

Personalization ensures each student’s learning needs are met. Teachers serve as content experts who facilitate and mentor students. Engaged parents are partners with the school and their students to monitor and reflect on learning progress.

Students become self-directed expert learners who monitor progress, take control of their learning, and reflect on that learning based on mastery of content, skills and competencies. To demonstrate mastery of standards and the components of the Profile of a Dysart Graduate, learners are engaged in experiences including daily lessons, activities, assessments, and authentic projects. Students will have the appropriate resources to ensure flexibility in the pacing, order, and integration of content.

Learning can take place anywhere and anytime. Access to resources, including digital content, provide enhanced learning opportunities for student growth and collaboration whether at school or online. Options are tailored to meet student needs. Students have the ability to make choices about where and how they can best engage in their planned learning activity with flexibility in learning places and spaces.

Students can learn during and beyond the school day guided by established outcomes, content, and expectations. Learning can be 24/7.

Tools and resources are aligned to desired learning outcomes and student interests and may include digital content, makerspaces, project-based learning, or other appropriate means.

Makerspace

Makerspaces are collaborative environments with a set tools to encourage authentic learning experiences. They combine technologies, collaboration, and education for the purposes of enabling students to design, prototype and create for solution-focused thinking. Makerspaces in the Dysart Unified School District can take many forms and vary greatly from school to school. Makerspaces might focus on electronics, robotics, programming and coding, and even arts and sewing. Makerspaces can also take place at any time of the day. The Maker culture in a classroom is oftentimes grounded within a lesson and the curriculum, whereas before or after school makerspaces focus on a tinkering aspect that allows students to explore their ideas in a less structured setting. Makerspaces and the design thinking process are being utilized together in Dysart schools as a way to shape active creators, collaborators, and designers versus passive consumers. They are a way to inspire wonder and celebrate unique solutions to the problems of the future.

Flexible Classrooms

Part of the Dysart Unified School District’s shift to personalization involves the space in which students learn. The Dysart District is piloting an environment in some classrooms, providing a flexible space and giving students the ability to adjust to advance their learning. The flexible high school classrooms have high top tables and chairs, traditional tables and chairs, some of which include whiteboard tables, as well as comfy chairs and stools. This furniture can be moved and rearranged to accommodate quiet spaces free of distractions, areas to cluster and collaborate on tasks, space to stand and move around periodically, and central gathering spaces.

Collaborative Commons and iSchool

iSchool opened in 2011 in the Dysart School District, providing innovative, engaging, and flexible online learning opportunities. Since then, it has grown to nearly 1,000 course enrollments each semester, with students taking classes to get ahead, catch up, or add flexibility to their schedule.

The Dysart School District also developed Collaborative Common areas on all four high school campuses, where students can work on iSchool coursework with the support of teachers and tutors. This provides a space and a place, and not a computer lab, where the physical environment contains options supporting a variety of learning habits.

JROTC Program

The JROTC program at Dysart High School helps prepare high school students for various responsible leadership jobs of choice in the civilian workforce, private enterprise or military service. The mission of JROTC is to motivate young people to be better citizens. JROTC consists of both classroom and field experience. As a JROTC cadet, students will earn the privilege of participating in Spring Camp and Summer Camp.

Career and College Ready

The Dysart Unified School District is focused on raising the relevance and rigor of education. Ensuring students are equipped with the skills necessary to meet the challenges and opportunities in a 21st century global society are at the heart of the mission and vision. The goal is to graduate all students ready for college, career and a productive life in this new century. Dysart is dedicated to going beyond providing preschool through grade 12 students with just the educational basics.