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Enrollment booms at the UA-affiliated charter school as students move on to high school.

By University Communications
May 16, 2008

The Wildcat School, the charter school affiliated with The University of Arizona graduates its first class of middle school students Wednesday, May 21.

A total of 25 students will be moving on to high school now that their three-year stint at the math- and science-focused charter school is completed. The first graduating class had the opportunity to learn in an environment that included an integrated approach for teaching core subjects.

The school opened its doors in August of 2006 and in 2007 experienced an enrollment boom. The school went from 60 students in 2006 to its current enrollment of 170.

“The UA is a model to help advance education in the state. At the Wildcat School, we are pilot testing curriculum that teaches science through its applications in everyday life,” said UA College of Education dean Ron Marx.

Through its collaboration with UA, students at the Wildcat School have access to science and research resources at the UA campus.

The innovative curriculum includes lessons developed in partnership with the UA Colleges of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Pharmacy and Medicine. UA students also lend a hand in tutoring and mentoring.

The school is designed to meet the needs of students who may be the first of their family to go to college or who would not otherwise have the opportunity to attend a college-preparatory school.

The UA College of Education is helping to pave the way for new approaches to education in an area that needs help. “We took our commitment to service and the advancement of educational practice and are applying them to the rough-and-tumble of real schools with all of its challenges, including second language learners to students who have educational skill deficiencies upon enrolling into the school,” said Marx.

The Wildcat School operates on an extended 8-hour day and 200-day calendar.

The school also offers students the opportunity to get involved. The school has a yearbook team, a basketball team, hosts student plays as well as field trips to the UA campus for various educational camps. The students also rolled up their sleeves and painted walls and picked up trash to help clean up their surrounding community.

The school will accept up to 240 sixth, seventh and eighth graders for the 2007-2008 school year and enrollment is still open. Classes end May 21 and begin August 6, 2008. Enrollment is free and open to the public.

Those interested in admissions or a tour of the school may call 520-294-5473 for an appointment. The school is located at 5660 S. 12th Avenue near Drexel Road.