Excellence: Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow 2022 Community Newsletter

GLENDALE UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT

Best High Schools

Since the list’s inception in 2007, all nine GUHSD high schools have consistently been ranked among America’s Best High Schools by U.S.News&WorldReport.

9,831 College Credits Earned

The Class of 2022 earned an impressive, accumulated amount of 9,831 college credits. Students earn college credits through the Advanced Placement and dual-enrollment programs.

$114 Million in Scholarships

The Class of 2022 earned a record-breaking $114 million in scholarships, a $16 million increase from the previous year.

UNION

WORLD-CLASS EDUCATION IN YOUR OWN BACKYARD

Get to know the Glendale Union High School District

For decades, GUHSD schools have been schools of choice for parents and students within the Phoenix and Glendale areas. As a nationally recognized district, GUHSD has set the standard for educational excellence.

All nine Glendale Union High School District schools have once again been ranked among America’s best high schools by U.S.News&WorldReport. GUHSD believes all students can succeed and ensures students are prepared to be successful in college, career, and life.

2022 National Merit Scholars

GUHSD is honored to recognize three 2022 National Merit Scholars. The scholars are Lia Arencibia Rodriguez from Moon Vally High School, Henry Calkins from Sunnyslope High School and Aria Gibbons from Thunderbird High School.

Every September, the National Merit Scholarship Corporation selects semifinalists from 1.5 million entrants across the country. Out of the 50,000 students with the highest PSAT/NMSQT Selection Index scores, approximately 16,000 high school students qualify as semifinalists.

From the semifinalists group, some 15,000 students meet the very high academic standards and other requirements to advance to the finalist level of the competition. By the conclusion of the 2022 program, about half of the finalists won a National Merit Scholarship, earning the prestigious Merit Scholar title.

2022 Dorrance Scholars

There are six 2022 Dorrance Scholars that GUHSD is honored to highlight. The recipients are Genesis Zamora from Cortez High School, Fiona Rasco from Moon Valley High School, Ivanna Zarahut Morena from Thunderbird High School, Daniela Valdovinos, Herman Mendoza Bustos, and Jasmyn Delgado from Washington High School.

This scholarship is prestigious and highly competitive. In addition to a $12,000 per year award to any state university in Arizona, it includes a summer bridge experience, a personal advisor and mentor, cultural enrichment opportunities, and community outreach, as well as an international travel experience.

2022 Questbridge Scholar

GUHSD is proud to congratulate Glendale High School Graduate Lesly Castillo for earning a full ride scholarship to Stanford University through the Questbridge Program. Questbridge Match Scholarship recipients receive a full four-year scholarship worth over $200,000, as well as a financial aid package, which includes room and board, books and supplies, and travel expenses.

2021 Perfect ACT Score

GUHSD is proud to congratulate Sunnyslope High School students Abby Wolf and Marcus Giorza as well as Thunderbird High School student Houston Hull for earning the highest possible ACT composite score. The highest possible composite score is 36. A full 36 is the rarest score of all; just 0.334% of all test takers earned a perfect ACT score.

Houston Hull

Abby Wolf Marcus Giorza

Genesis Zamora Fiona Rasco

Daniela Valdovinos Herman Mendoza Bustos Jasmyn Delgado

Lia Arencibia Rodriguez

Lesly Castillo

Aria GibbonsHenry Calkins

Ivanna Zarahut Morena

DISTRICT OF CHOICE #WeAreGUHSD

Glendale Union High School District believes all students can be successful and ensures all students will be prepared for life after high school, whether their future is to continue studying at a college or university, enroll in other postsecondary programs, enlist in the military, or pursue another career path. An academically challenging curriculum, combined with the district’s high standards and an emphasis on high levels of support, allow student-----s to develop their talents, discover their potential, and prepare for their future.

Nationally & Internationally Recognized Academics

GUHSD students receive an exceptional, comprehensive academic experience. Students participate in rigorous academic programs that help them be successful daily while preparing them for continued success beyond high school. While attending a GUHSD high school, students can earn college credits that are recognized and accepted by colleges and universities throughout the country. Students interested in pursuing university studies outside of the U.S. have an opportunity to earn the Advanced Placement International Diploma, a globally recognized achievement.

Championship Athletics & Extracurricular Activities

GUHSD is home to numerous regional and state titles. A majority of students are involved in athletics or belong to one of more than 40 clubs and organizations offered at GUHSD schools.

Outstanding Career & Technical Education Options

GUHSD schools focus on preparing students for success after high school, whether they choose to pursue postsecondary education or to begin a career immediately after graduation. In addition to STEM courses, GUHSD schools offer more than 50 Career & Technical Education (CTE) courses, as well as a partnership with West-MEC, including culinary, nursing, construction trades, fire science, home health education, welding technology, engineering, and more. GUHSD’s CTE programs prepare students to enter the workforce with the academic and technical skills needed to compete successfully in the job market.

Cutting-Edge STEM Offerings

STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education is vital for students’ college readiness. GUHSD offers high-level STEM courses, including Advanced Placement Physics; technologyrelated classes such as Coding and Advanced Placement Computer Sciences; engineering-related courses, including Robotics and Advanced Engineering Sciences; and rigorous math courses, including Advanced Placement Calculus AB and Advanced Placement Calculus BC.

Award-Winning Fine & Performing Arts

GUHSD is proud to promote and showcase the immense contribution arts education makes within its schools. Disciplines including dance, music, choir, theatre, media arts, and visual arts are essential elements of a GUHSD education.

State-of-the-Art Online Learning Opportunities

The Glendale Union High School District Online Learning Academy is accredited by Cognia and offers excellent options for students to choose from in an environment that fits their needs. Whether a student wants to attend full time or work from home, the GUHSD Online Learning Academy is an outstanding and flexible program tailored for student success.

Visit www.guhsdaz.org for more information about the GUHSD educational experience, including a complete list of courses offered.

EXCELLENCE RECOGNIZED

$114M Scholarships

2022 Graduates Earned 9,831 College Credits

Glendale Union High School District is honored and proud to be the leader of educational excellence in the Metropolitan Phoenix area. Its commitment to student achievement and focus on continuous improvement have been recognized on a local and national level. GUHSD is known for having some of the highest-rated public high schools in Maricopa County. Its national accolades include being recognized as the Advanced Placement National District of the Year by the College Board, and its schools being consistently listed among America’s Top High Schools by U.S. News&WorldReport

2022 Graduates Earned

Glendale Union High School District’s mission, “To Empower All Students for the Choices and Challenges of the Twenty-first Century,” is embraced by parents, students, teachers, and administrators who work together to realize a community of excellence.

GUHSD’s outstanding schools are student-focused, comprehensive, and always improving. During the 2021-2022 school year, students earned an impressive $114 million in scholarships and 9,831 college credits through the Advanced Placement and dualenrollment programs.

LEADERSHIP COMMITTED TO STUDENT SUCCESS

Based on the 2021 Auditor General’s Classroom Spending report, GUHSD invests more of its funding in the classroom than the state and peer district group averages. The same report found that GUHSD spends less on administration than other state and peer district group averages. Glendale Union High School District has been fiscally responsible with taxpayer funds and has earned prestigious awards from the Association of School Business Officials (ASBO) and the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) for the past 32 years.

GOVERNING BOARD

Patty Kennedy President Susan Maland Clerk

Pam ReicksLaura AritaBrian Capistran Superintendent

Patti Hussey FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY

TAKE THE CREDIT

REDUCE YOUR ARIZONA STATE

ARIZONA

Did you know you could direct up to $400 back to your own pocket by making a tax credit contribution to the GUHSD school or program of your choice? You could receive 100 percent of the credit back when you file your taxes!*

Your tax credit contribution also helps students become involved in meaningful and life-enhancing activities. It can also help fund GUHSD athletic programs, fine and performing arts courses, and college prep tests.

*Please see a tax professional for more details.

The Arizona State Public School Tax Credit Law allows taxpayers a tax credit of up to $400 for those filing personal taxes as “married filing jointly” or $200 for those filing “head of household” or “single,” if they contribute to a public school.

GUHSD High Schools

Apollo 8045 N. 47th Ave.

Glendale, AZ 85302 623-435-6311

Moon Valley 3625 W. Cactus Rd. Phoenix, AZ 85029 623-915-8019

Address:

City: State: AZ Zip Code: Student(s) Name:

Name: Phone:

Amount of Donation $

Tax Year: (up to $200* or $400* if married filing jointly)

School to receive donation: (optional)

I wish to designate this money to the following area(s): Contributions are nonrefundable. For a complete list of activities, visit the tax credit page at www.guhsdaz.org

Make checks payable to the school to which you are donating. If donating to multiple schools, separate checks must be made out for each one. Mail this form and your check to the bookstore of the Glendale Union High School District school of your choice or donate online at www.guhsdaz.org. Tax credit donations must be made by April 15

Cortez

8828 N. 31st Ave.

Phoenix, AZ 85051 623-915-8214

Glendale 6216 W. Glendale Ave.

Glendale, AZ 85301 623-435-6206

Greenway 3930 W. Greenway Rd. Phoenix, AZ 85053 623-915-8513

Independence 6602 N. 75th Ave.

Glendale, AZ 85303 623-435-6109

Sunnyslope 35 W. Dunlap Ave. Phoenix, AZ 85021 623-915-8783

Thunderbird 1750 W. Thunderbird Rd. Phoenix, AZ 85023 623-915-8917

Washington 2217 W. Glendale Ave. Phoenix, AZ 85021 623-915-8408

Northern Academy, Next Step or Online Learning Academy 7650 N. 43rd Ave. Glendale, AZ 85301 623-435-6039

Public Notices

Public Notification of Nondiscrimination

Glendale Union High School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability in admission to its programs, services or activities, in access to them, in treatment of individuals, or in any aspect of their operations.GUHSD provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. GUHSD Career & Technical Education Department does not discriminate in enrollment or access to any of the programs available, such as business, applied technology, FACS, nursing, and fire science. The lack of English language skills shall not be a barrier to admission or participation in the district’s activities and programs. GUHSD does not discriminate in its hiring or employment practices. This notice is provided as required by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Questions, complaints or requests for additional information regarding these laws may be forwarded to the designated compliance coordinator(s), call 623-435-6006 or 623-435-6067, 7650 N. 43 Ave., Glendale, AZ 85301

Notificación Pública Anual de No Discriminación:

El Glendale Union High School District (GUHSD) no discrimina en base a raza, color, nacionalidad, género, edad, o discapacidad de admisión a sus programas, servicios, o actividades, en acceso a ellas, en el tratamiento a individuos, o en ningún aspecto de sus operaciones. GUHSD provee el acceso igual a los Boy Scouts y otros grupos designados para los jóvenes. El departamento de Educación Técnica y de Carreras de GUHSD no discrimina en su matriculación ni en el acceso a cualquier de sus programas disponibles, como negocios, la tecnología aplicada, FACS, enfermería, y formación para bomberos. La falta de habilidades con el inglés no será una barrera a la admisión ni la participación en las actividades del distrito y sus programas. GUHSD tampoco discrimina en sus contratos o prácticas de empleados. Esta noticia es provista y requerida por el Título VI del Acto de Derechos Civiles de 1964, Sección 504 del Acto de Rehabilitación de 1973, Título IX de la Enmienda Educativa de 1972, en el Acto de Era de Discriminación de 1975, y el Acto de los Estadounidenses con Habilidades Diferenciadas de 1990. Ud. puede comunicarse con el coordinador de cumplimiento sobre preguntas, quejas, o para más información con respecto a estas leyes. Director de Operaciones y Atletismo, 623-435-6006 Directora de la Educación Especial 623-435-6067, 7650 N. 43rd Ave. Glendale, AZ 85301.

Right to Review Teacher Qualifications

The Glendale Union High School District continues its long-standing tradition of providing quality instructional staff to work with your children. Its teachers are recruited from the strongest teacher preparation programs in Arizona and across the nation. All teachers participate in ongoing professional development activities to maintain their content knowledge, as well as their ability to plan and deliver effective instruction. The district is proud of its record of student achievement, which is a direct result of the efforts of its professional staff. As a parent of a student in the Glendale Union High School District, you have the right to know the professional qualifications of the teachers who instruct your child. Federal law allows you to ask for certain information about your child’s teachers and requires us to provide this information in a timely manner. Specifically, you have the right to ask for the following information about each of your child’s teachers: whether the Arizona State Department of Education has licensed or qualified the teacher for the grades and the subjects he/ she teaches; circumstances; the teacher’s college major, whether the teacher has any advanced degrees and if so, the subject of the degrees; whether any teacher’s aides or similar paraprofessionals provide services to your child and if they do, their qualifications. The Glendale Union High School District looks forward to continuing its positive partnership with parents. Your high expectations for student achievement, school involvement, and appropriate behavior on behalf of your student make an important difference in the success of GUHSD. For more information, please call Allison Mattingly at 623-435-6018.

Rights for Students with Disabilities

Pursuant to the individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) of 2004, each school district is responsible for identifying, evaluating and providing service for all public, private, or home-schooled children with disabilities. If your child attends a private school or is homeschooled, and you feel that your child may need to be screened for a possible disability, you should contact the GUHSD Office of Special Education at 623-435-6067. You may also refer your child for screening by contacting the school psychologist at the public school your child would attend if he/she attended public school. All public school students are screened within six weeks of the date of enrollment in the public school.