EDUCATION
Finding the right school for you or your child can be an arduous task. Here we provide you with helpful questions to ask when reviewing your options, as well as contact information on local districts, private schools, colleges, and technical schools. Also included: local resources for afterschool child care.
PRIMARY & SECONDARY SCHOOLS
THINGS TO ASK WHEN SELECTING A SCHOOL
Whether you are considering public or private schools, there are certain things you will want to know:
- Call the school and ask for an information packet.
- When inquiring about private and charter schools, ask if the school is accredited and by whom.
- Ask about average class size.
- Ask to see the curriculum, including a list of classes offered.
- For high schools, ask how many of their graduates go on to college and what schools they are admitted to.
- Ask about the qualifications of their teachers and what they look for in applicants.
- Visit prospective schools and observe what's going on in classrooms.
PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICTS
In Arizona, children who are six years old before September 1 may enter first grade, and children five years old before September 1 may enter kindergarten. Children entering Arizona public schools must be immunized against diphtheria, pertussis, and tetanus (DPT), as well as measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), and polio. Some districts require a hepatitis A and/or B series.
To find out which Pima County school district you are in, refer to our map, or phone the Pima County School Superintendent's Office at 520-740-8451 or visit www.schools.pima.gov
PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICTS
| Altar Valley School District Southwest of Tucson. www.altarvalley.com | 520-822-1484 |
| Amphitheater Public Schools Central Tucson. www.amphi.com | 520-696-5000 |
| Catalina Foothills School District North of Tucson. www.cfsd.k12.az.us | 520-299-6446 |
| Continental School District Green Valley. www.csd39.org | 520-625-4581 |
| Flowing Wells School District Westside of Tucson. www.flowingwellsschools.org |
520-696-8800 |
| Indian Oasis-Baboquivari Unified School District Southwest of Tucson, serves primarily those students residing on the Tohono O'odham Indian Reservation. www.iobusd40.org | 520-383-6746 |
| Marana Unified School District Northwest of Tucson. www.maranausd.org |
520-682-3243 |
| Sahuarita Unified School District South of Tucson near Green Valley. www.sahuarita.k12.az.us | 520-625-3502 |
| Sunnyside Unified School District On the city's south side. www.sunnysideud.k12.az.us | 520-545-2000 |
| Tanque Verde Unified School District In northeast Tucson. www.tanq.org | 520-749-5751 |
| Tucson Unified School District Central Tucson. The district's administrative offices are at 1010 E. 10th St. www.tusd.k12.az.us | 520-225-6000 |
| Vail School District Southeast of Tucson. www.vail.k12.az.us |
520-879-2002 |
ARIZONA STATE SCHOOLS FOR THE DEAF AND THE BLIND
Tucson is the location of the Arizona State Schools for the Deaf and the Blind, at 1200 W. Speedway Blvd. 520-770-3700 (TDD/Voice), www.asdb.state.az.us.
For more information about public and special education or for complete profiles of every school district in the state, phone the Arizona Department of Education's public information office at 800-352-4558, or visit www.ade.state.az.us.
PRIVATE SCHOOLS
Tucson's long list of private schools includes some with state and national reputations for educational excellence. Private schools in Arizona are self-regulating. The Arizona Department of Education, Southern Arizona office (628-6791) recommends that parents considering a private school check its reputation with other parents whose children have studied there.
LOCAL CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WITH ACCREDITATION OR STATE APPROVAL
| Catholic Schools Superintendent www.diocesetucson.org | 520-838-2547 |
| Immaculate Heart Academy Prekindergarten-grade 8. www.immaculateheartschool.com |
520-297-6672 |
| Immaculate Heart High School Grades 9-12. www.immaculateheartschool.com | 520-297-2851 |
| Our Mother of Sorrows School Prekindergarten-grade 8. www.omosschool.com |
520-747-1027 |
| St. Ambrose School Prekindergarten-grade 8. www.stambroseschool.com | 520-882-8678 |
| St. Augustine Catholic High School Grades 9-12. www.staugustinehigh.com | 520-751-8300 |
| St. Cyril of Alexandria School Kindergarten-grade 8. www.stcyril.com | 520-881-4240 |
| St. Elizabeth Ann Seton School Prekindergarten–grade 7. www.seastucson.org |
520-219-7650 |
| St. John the Evangelist School Kindergarten-grade 8. |
520-624-7409 |
| St. Joseph Catholic School Kindergarten-grade 8. |
520-747-3060 |
| St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Preschool Prekindergarten only. www.stthomaspreschool.com | 520-577-0503 |
| Saints Peter and Paul Catholic School Kindergarten-grade 8. www.sspptucson.org |
520-325-2431 |
| Salpointe Catholic High School Grades 9-12. www.salpointe.org | 520-327-6581 |
| San Miguel Catholic High School Grades 9–12. www.sanmiguelhigh.com |
520-294-6403 |
| San Xavier Mission School Kindergarten-grade 8. www.sanxaviermission.org |
520-294-0628 |
| Santa Cruz School Prekindergarten-grade 8. http://santacruzcatholicschool.com/ |
520-624-2093 |
OTHER PRIVATE SCHOOLS
| Abbie Loveland Tuller School Prekindergarten-grade 8. www.tullerschool.com | 520-747-1142 |
| Ascension Lutheran School Prekindergarten–grade 5. www.ascensiontucson.org |
520-742-6229 |
| Casa Niños School of Montessori Age 12 mo.–grade 4. www.casaninos.org |
520-751-1454 (east
campus) 297-3898 (northwest campus) |
| Casas Christian School Kindergarten–grade 8. www.casaschristianschool.com |
520-297-0922 |
| Castlehill Country Day School Age 2-grade 5. www.castlehillschool.com | 520-795-0008 |
| Cornerstone Christian Academy Kindergarten–grade 6. www.cca-tucson.org |
520-529-7080 |
| Desert Christian School Kindergarten–grade 12. www.desertchristianschools.org |
520-901-5499 |
| Dove Christian School Grades 2–12. |
520-696-0884 |
| Faith Community Church Academy Prekindergarten–grade 6. www.fcatucson.org |
520-742-4189 |
| Fenster School Grades 9-12. www.fenster-school.com |
520-749-3340 |
| Green Fields Country Day School Kindergarten-grade 12. www.greenfields.org | 520-297-2288 |
| International School of Tucson Ages 3–11. 4 www.internationalschooloftucson.com |
520-0406-0552 |
| Kino School Kindergarten-grade 12. www.kino-school.org |
520-297-7278 |
| Palo Verde Christian School Kindergarten-grade 8. www.pvctucson.com | 520-327-6683 |
| Pusch Ridge Christian Academy Grades 6–12. www.prca-tucson.org |
520-797-0107 |
| St. Gregory College Preparatory School Grades 6-12. www.stgregoryschool.org | 520-327-6395 |
| St. Michael's Parish Day School Kindergarten-grade 8. www.stmichael.net | 520-722-8478 |
| Satori School Age 2 1/2-grade 1. www.satorischool.org | 520-887-4003 |
| Tucson Community School Preschool and kindergarten www.tucsoncommunityschool.org | 520-326-9212 |
| Tucson Hebrew Academy Kindergarten-grade 8. www.tucsonhebrew.org | 520-529-3888 |
| Tucson Waldorf School Prekindergarten-grade 8. www.tucsonwaldorf.org |
520-325-5514 |
CHARTER SCHOOLS
Charter schools are designed to provide students and parents with educational choices beyond traditional public and private institutions. Arizona has hundreds of charter schools-more than many other states. Tucson has more than 75 operating charter schools, and that number continues to grow.
Since charter schools are not held to the same educational regulations as other public schools, be sure to do some homework before enrolling your child. Find out if the school's curriculum meets your child's needs, and talk to the parents of students who are enrolled.
For more information about charter schools in Arizona, phone 800-352-4558, or visit www.ade.state.az.us.
HIGHER EDUCATION
BUSINESS, TECHNICAL & TRADE SCHOOLS
Dozens of Tucson schools offer a wide range of courses in professional training for entry-level through advanced positions. We list just a small sampling here for your convenience.
| Apollo College 3550 N. Oracle Rd. www.apollocollege.edu |
520-888-5885 |
| The Art Center Design College 2525 N. Country Club Rd. www.theartcenter.edu | 520-325-0123 |
| Brown Mackie College–Tucson 4585 E. Speedway Blvd. www.brownmackie.edu/tucson | 520-327-6866 |
| Cortiva Institute 6390 E. Broadway Blvd. www.cortiva.com |
520-623-2160 |
| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University 5355 E. Granite St., Davis-Monthan Air Force Base www.erau.edu | 520-747-5540 |
| ITT Technical Institute 1455 W. River Rd. www.itt-tech. edu |
520-408-7488 |
| Pima Medical Institute 3350 E. Grant Rd., Ste. 200. www.pmi.edu | 888-635-5219 |
| The Providence Institute 3400 E. Speedway Blvd., Ste. 114 www.providenceinstitute.com | 520-323-
0203 |
| Tucson College 7310 E. 22nd St. www.tucsoncollege.edu | 520-296-3261 |
PIMA COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Pima Community College (PCC) is a two-year college with several campuses in Tucson, as well as branches in Green Valley, Gila County, and Nogales. The college provides a curriculum of general education, college transfer, and occupational education courses, offering more than 100 areas of study.
| General Information www.pima.edu | 520-206-4500 |
| Community Campus 401 N. Bonita Ave. | 520-206-3933 |
| Corporate & Community Education (noncredit classes) 401 N. Bonita Ave. | 520-206-6579 |
| Desert Vista 5901 S. Calle Santa Cruz | 520- 206-5000 |
| Downtown Campus 1255 N. Stone Ave. |
520-206-7176 |
| East Campus 8181 E. Irvington Rd. | 520-206-7000 |
| Northeast Education Center 7816 E. Wrightstown Rd. | 520-206-2525 |
| Northwest Campus 7600 N. Shannon Rd. | 520-206-2200 |
| West Campus 2202 W. Anklam Rd. | 520-206-6699 |
THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA
Established in 1885, The University of Arizona campus today—a lovely oasis in the middle of the city—occupies 387 acres and has 157 buildings on the main campus, plus another 25 on the medical campus. It ranks among the top 20 US public universities receiving research monies, with $362 million awarded in 2005–2006, according to the most current statistics. 621-2211, www.arizona.edu.
The U of A also has a branch campus in Sierra Vista, located at 1140 N. Colombo Ave. 520-458-8278.
Also, the U of A offers its Evening and Weekend Campus, featuring classes after 5 p.m. and on weekends. 626-2073, www.ceao.arizona.edu/ewc.
UNIVERSITY OF PHOENIX
The University of Phoenix (UOP) is a private university accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. Established in 1976, UOP's mission is to provide educational opportunities to working adults, enabling them to continue working while pursuing their education. Visit www.phoenix.edu for more information.
UNIVERSITY OF PHOENIX LOCATIONS
| 555 E. River Rd. | 520-239-4955 |
| 300 S. Craycroft Rd. | 520-408-8202 |
| 52104 Fort Huachuca | 520-459-1093 |
OTHER ACCREDITED ARIZONA COLLEGES
| Cochise College Douglas Campus 4190 W. State Hwy. 80 www.cochise.edu | 800-966-7943 |
| Cochise College Sierra Vista Campus 901 N. Colombo Ave. www.cochise.edu | 520-515-0500 |
| Northern Arizona University, Tucson 401 N. Bonita Ave. Ste. A140 www.distance.nau.edu/tucson | 520-879-7900 |
| Park University, Davis-Monthan AFB, 5355 E. Granite St. www.park.edu/davi |
520-748-8266 |
| Prescott College 2233 E. Speedway Blvd. www.prescott.edu | 520-319-9868 |
CHILDCARE
DAY-CARE CENTERS, CHILD CARE, AFTER-SCHOOL & SUMMER PROGRAMS
- Check with the Southern Arizona
branch of the Department of Health Services,
Office of Child Care Licensing at 400 W. Congress St., Ste. 100,
628-6540, before selecting a day-care
center or preschool for your child. Every
center or preschool in Arizona serving
five or more children is required to be
licensed and regulated by the state, and
you can check the files for inspections
that have taken place within the past
three years and any complaints that
have been made.
- Many public schools provide afterschool
supervision for children of working
parents, so check with your child’s
school first. Numerous private day-care
facilities offer late-afternoon care for
elementary-age youngsters, and you
can also check with your local YMCA.
- The YMCA and Tucson Parks and Recreation Department both offer a variety of all-day summer programs.