1202 W. Thomas Road
Phoenix, Arizona 85013
602–285–7500

Innovative Teacher Preparation High School Hosts Open House for Potential Students and Family Members on July 24

by: Christy Skeen

The newly formed Teacher Preparation High School (TPHS) of the Maricopa Community Colleges will hold an open house on Thursday, July 24 from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. at 640 N. First Ave. in downtown Phoenix.

The event, which is designed to inform potential students and their family members about the new innovative and dynamic learning facility, will include a featured program at 2 p.m. and classroom tours throughout the day. Potential students will also have an opportunity to meet with the school principal and instructors, as well as apply for enrollment.

TPHS will enroll a total of 80 students and is currently accepting applications and requests for student/parent interviews. Interviews are required before enrollment is granted. Principal Leticia Ruiz will converse with parents in Spanish, if preferred during the interviewing process. There is no fee for those students who are selected to attend.

Unlike many traditional charter high schools, TPHS will specifically prepare high school students to become future teachers. In addition to their regularly scheduled curriculum, students will focus on how learners learn. Students will have three 90-minute classes each quarter and an individual learning session that is uniquely designed to help them pass the state mandatory AIMS/SAT 9 test and the community college placement ASSET test.

"Students will experience the art of teaching by using the modeling method in front of their peers," said Ruiz. "They will utilize technology to gather information and gain computer skills, which will enhance their presentation ability."

TPHS will also hook students into the community college setting through concurrent classes, thanks to its relationship with two Maricopa Community Colleges.

Phoenix College and South Mountain Community College were selected to oversee and participate in the curriculum of the high school because they are home to nationally recognized teacher education programs. Through a special partnership, the colleges' two-year teacher programs feed into Arizona State University, where students may complete their four-year college degrees in the field of teaching.

For more information about the event or Fall enrollment, please call the school office at (602) 223-4101.