18 minute read
Education Directory & Special Section
LET EDUCATION CONTINUE TO Drive Our Community
By Cathy Stonecipher, Administrative Director, Guidance Helicopters, Inc.
Our community’s education is extremely important to Guidance Helicopters, Inc., and we strive to promote community awareness.
By sponsoring the education section, we hope that our community members become aware of all of our children’s educational opportunities in Yavapai County. We are blessed to live in a dynamic community that is education driven.
We are an FAA-approved helicopter pilot training institution that offers the most comprehensive, effective training available.
Our goal is to produce pilots who set the standard in the industry for professionalism and safety.
Founded in 1998 by John L. Stonecipher, Guidance Helicopters has trained more than 400 pilots who are working in the helicopter industry today. Guidance’s dedication to excellence is evident in the caliber of pilots who graduate and are employed immediately afterward to their highly experienced staff. Stonecipher was the United States SBA National Business Person of the Year in 2013, and Guidance Helicopters received the Safety Excellence Award in 2014 by the Helicopter Association International Augusta Westland.
Student pilots at Guidance have a well-defined, straightforward path to follow to reach their completion goals. In 24 months, students go from having no experience to certificated flight instructor rating. Training conforms to a rigorous schedule that’s been fine-tuned to promote the most success and certificate completion.
Education Directory
Sponsored by Guidance Helicopters, Inc.
UNIVERSITIES/COLLEGES
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University 3700 Willow Creek Rd. Prescott 928.777.6600 www.prescott.erau.edu
Northern Arizona University - Prescott Campus 1100 E. Sheldon St. Prescott 928.523.2988 www.nau.edu/statewide-campuses/ nau-yavapai-college
Northern Arizona University - Yavapai 7351 Skoog Blvd. Prescott Valley 928.523.2988 www.nau.edu/prescottvalley
Prescott College 220 Grove Ave. Prescott 877.350.2100 www.prescott.edu
Yavapai College 1100 E. Sheldon St. Prescott 928.445.7300 www.yc.edu
TECHNICAL & TRADE SCHOOLS
Career & Technical Education Center (CTEC) 220 Ruger Rd., Suite 1 Prescott 928.776.2002 www.yc.edu/ctec
Guidance Helicopters, Inc. Helicopter Flight School 6565 Crystal Ln. Prescott 928.443.9370 www.guidanceaero.com
Mountain Institute Joint Technical Education District (JTED) 220 Ruger Rd., Suite 2 Prescott 928.771.0791 www.micted.net
Rogers Academy of Beauty 2375 AZ-69 Prescott 928.848.9929 www.rogersacademyofbeauty.com
PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICTS Chino Valley Unified School District #51 650 E. Center St. Chino Valley 928.636.2458 www.chinovalleyschools.com Humboldt Unified School District 6411 N. Robert Rd. Prescott Valley 928.759.4000 www.humboldtunified.com Prescott Unified School District 300 E. Gurley St. Prescott 928.445.5400 www.prescottschools.com Mayer Unified School District No. 43 PO Box 1059 12606 E. Main St. Mayer 928.642.1000 www.mayerschools.org Yavapai Accomodation School District No. 99 K-12 7497 E. Addis Ave. Prescott Valley 928.759.8126 www.yavapaicountyhighschool.com PRESCHOOLS Busy Bee Learning Center 8665 E. Florentine Rd. Prescott Valley 928.772.6333 www.busybeelearningcenter.net Cedar Tree Montessori Private School 129 N. Pleasant St Prescott 928.771.8785 www.cedartreemontessori.com Christian Academy of Prescott Private School 148 S. Marina St. Prescott 928.445.2565 Cornerstone Christian Preschool Private School 700 W. Rosser St. Prescott 928.771.2754 www.prescottcornerstone.com/ preschool Discovery Gardens Early Childhood Center Prescott Unified School District 300 E. Gurley St. Prescott 928.442.1283 www.prescottschools.com/ discoverygardens James Family Prescott YMCA 750 Whipple St. Prescott 928.445.7221 www.prescottymca.org/preschool Little Dreamers Preschool Academy 7175 E. 2nd St. Prescott Valley 928.800.1488 www.azlittledreamers.com
American Lutheran School Private School 1085 Scott Dr. Prescott 928.778.7049 www.americanlutheranschool.com
Bright Futures Preschool Humboldt Unified School District 6411 N. Robert Rd. Prescott Valley 928.759.5130 www.bf.humboldtunified.com Little Explorers Learning Academy 12150 E. Turquoise Cir. Dewey 928.379.5068 www.facebook.com/ littleexplorerslearningacademy
Valley Learning Center 2235 AZ-89, Ste.1 Chino Valley 928.636-1656 www.valleylearningcenters.com ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS
Abia Judd Elementary School Prescott Unified School District 1749 Williamson Valley Rd. Prescott 928.717.3263 www.prescottschools.com/aj
Coyote Springs Elementary School Humboldt Unified School District 6625 N. Cattletrack Dr. Prescott Valley 928.759.4300 www.cs.humboldtunified.com
Del Rio Elementary School Chino Valley Unified School District 1036 North Rd. 1 West Chino Valley 928.636.4414 www.chinovalleyschools.com
Granville Elementary School Humboldt Unified School District 5250 N. Stover Dr. Prescott Valley 928.759.4800 www.ge.humboldtunified.com
Humboldt Elementary School Humboldt Unified School District 2750 S. Corral St. Prescott Valley 928.759.4400 www.he.humboldtunified.com
Lake Valley Elementary School Humboldt Unified School District 3900 N. Starlight Dr. Prescott Valley 928.759.4200 www.lv.humboldtunified.com
Liberty Traditional School Humboldt Unified School District K-8 3300 N. Lake Valley Rd. Prescott Valley 928.759.4500 www.lib.humboldtunified.com
Lincoln Elementary School Prescott Unified School District 201 Park Ave. Prescott 928.717.3249 www.prescottschools.com/lincoln
Mayer Elementary School Mayer Unified School District No. 45 12568 E. Main St. Mayer 928.642.1101 www.mayerschools.org
Mountain View Elementary School Humboldt Unified School District 8601 E. Loos Dr. Prescott Valley 928.759.4700 www.mv.humboldtunified.com
Taylor Hicks Elementary School Prescott Unified School District 1845 Campbell Ave. Prescott 928.717.3276 www.prescottschools.com/th
Territorial Early Childhood Center Chino Valley Unified School District Preschool-2nd Grade 1088 Mahan Lane Chino Valley 928.636.3842 www.tecc.chinovalleyschools.com
MIDDLE SCHOOLS
Bradshaw Mountain Middle School Humboldt Unified School District 12255 Turquoise Circle Dewey 928.759.4900 www.ms.humboldtunified.com
Glassford Hill Middle School Humboldt Unified School District 6901 Panther Path Prescott Valley 928.759.4600 www.gh.humboldtunified.com
Granite Mountain School Prescott Unified School District 1800 Williamson Valley Rd. Prescott 928.717.3253 www.prescottschools.com/gms
Heritage Middle School Chino Valley Unified School District 1076 North Rd. 1 W. Chino Valley 928.636.4464 www.chinovalleyschools.com Prescott Mile High Middle School Prescott Unified School District 300 S. Granite St. Prescott 928.717.3241 www.prescottschools.com/pmhms
HIGH SCHOOLS
Aspire High School Yavapai Accomodation School District No. 99 2970 Centerpointe East Dr. Prescott 928.759.8126 www.yavapaicountyhighschool.com
Bradshaw Mountain High School Humboldt Unified School District High School 6000 Long Look Dr. Prescott Valley 928.759.4100 www.hs.humboldtunified.com
Chino Valley High School Chino Valley Unified School District 760 E. Center St. Chino Valley 928.636.2298 www.cvhs.chinovalleyschools.com
Prescott High School Prescott Unified School District 1050 N. Ruth St. Prescott 928.445.2322 www.prescottschools.com/phs
Mayer High School Mayer Unified School District No. 44 17300 E. Mule Deer Dr. Mayer 928.642.1200 www.mayerhs.mayerschools.org
Yavapai County High School Yavapai Accomodation School District No. 99 6325 Baja Circle Prescott Valley 928.759.8126 www.yavapaicountyhighschool.com
CHARTER SCHOOLS
Acorn Montessori Schools Preschool-8 8556 E. Loos Dr. Prescott Valley 928.772.5778 www.acornmontessori.com
Arizona Agribusiness and Equine Center (AAEC) High School 7500 E. Skoog Blvd. Prescott Valley 928.775.3200 www.aaechs.com/campuses BASIS Prescott K-12 1901 Prescott Lakes Pkwy. Prescott 928.277.0334 www.basised.com/prescott
Canyon View Prep Academy High School 9030 E. Florentine Rd. Prescott Valley 928.775.5115 www.canyonview-prep.org
Franklin Phonetic Primary School K-8 6116 E. Hwy. 69 Prescott Valley 928.775.6747 www.franklinphoneticschool.com
La Tierra Community School K-7 124 N. Virginia St. Prescott 928.445.5100 www.latierracommunityschool.org
Mingus Springs Charter School K-8 3600 N. Sunset Dr. Chino Valley 928.636.4766 www.mingusspringsschool.org
Mountain Oak School Preschool-8th Grade 1455 Willow Creek Rd., Prescott 928.541.7700 www.mountainoakschool.org
Northpoint Expeditionary Learning Academy High School 551 1st St., Prescott 928.717.3272 www.northpointacademy.org
Park View Schools Middle School 9030 E. Florentine Rd. Prescott Valley 928.775.5115 www.parkviewschool.org
PACE Preparatory Academy High School 6711 E. 2nd St. Prescott Valley 928.775.9675 www.paceacademy.com
Prescott Valley School K-8 9500 E. Lorna Ln. Prescott Valley 928.772.8744 www.pvschool Primavera School Preschool-5th Grade 1446 Moyer Rd. Prescott 928.445.5382 www.primaveraschool.org
Skyview School K-8 125 S. Rush St. Prescott 928.776.1730 www.skyviewschool.org
Tri-City College Prep High School 5th-12th 5522 Side Rd. Prescott 928.777.0403 www.tricityprep.org
Willow Creek Charter School K-8 2100 Willow Creek Rd. Prescott 928.776.1212 www.willowcreekcharter.com
PRIVATE SCHOOLS
ASCEND School K-12 special education 3021 Centerpointe East Dr. Prescott 928.443.9290 www.azautismascend.org
Orme School High School 1000 E. Orme School Rd. Mayer 928.632.7601 www.ormeschool.org
Prescott Adventist Christian School K-8 2980 Willow Creek Rd. Prescott 928.224.8022 www.prescottadventistchristian school.com
Sacred Heart Catholic School Preschool-8th Grade 131 N. Summit Ave. Prescott 928.445.2621 sacredhearteducation.com
Trinity Christian School K-12 1212 Warrior Way Prescott 928.445.6306 trinitychristianaz.com
Discovery Garden Playground Dedicated
Written by Ray Newton, Photography by PUSD
“It’s all about the kids.”
With those five words, David Hess, M.D., president, Jewish Community Foundation of Prescott, described his feeling about the Jan. 6 dedication of playground equipment at the Discovery Gardens Playground on the northwest side of Washington Traditional School on Gurley Street.
Hess and about 50 others — pre-school age children, parents, school officials and townspeople — watched as Christine Resnick, foundation executive director, and playground supervisors officially cut the red ribbon to dedicate the playground made possible by a $64,700 donation by the community foundation.
“2022 couldn’t start better,” Resnick said. “Kids squealing, laughing and interacting in a terrific outdoor setting that is safe and secure.”
Prescott Unified School District Superintendent Joe Howard told Prescott Living, “I can’t find words to express the appreciation we have for the Jewish Community Foundation. It has supported our schools through computers, labs, help with the curriculum and now this playground. We all have been positively impacted.”
The fenced playground has a large, covered area over slides, swings, climbing platforms and other playtime equipment. Artificial turf and a rubberized surface will keep youngsters safe.
More details are available through Rebecca Horniman, PUSD marketing director, at 928.445.5400.
Sacred Heart Catholic School
Being the Living Example of God’s Love to Others
OUR MISSION: Guided by the Sacred Heart of Jesus, we are a community of faith, dedicated to teaching the whole child by providing a Catholic education that promotes academic excellence, quality of character, social responsibility, and spiritual growth, being the living example of God’s love to others. We provide a broad and relevant curriculum based on our mission, philosophy, and Schoolwide Learning Expectations. We are devoted educators dedicated to curriculum development and best practices in instructional methodology to meet students needs in the 21st century.
We welcome you to visit our school, talk with our faculty and families, and take a tour or shadow for a day. Please contact us to learn more.
928-445-2621 | SacredHeartEducation.com 131 NORTH SUMMIT | PRESCOTT, ARIZONA
Education Direct y
Highlight your school to the community with an ad in our Education Section. The section will run in every issue of Prescott LIVING magazine and will include a directory with your school’s logo and name in bold. The education section in every issue is sponsored by a local company that puts a high value on education.
RESERVE YOUR SPACE NOW! Call 928.350.8006 or email laurie@roxco.com
PUSD Spotlights Student Social-Emotional Needs
by Joe Howard, Superintendent, Prescott Unified School District
I am very excited to represent the many great things the Prescott Unified School District (PUSD) has to offer for our students. For the next few months, I will be working with some of our leaders and directors to describe the work we do in public schools these days that many may not know all about.
Contemporary public education is better than ever at teaching academic skills and basics for students to be ready for today’s challenges. But research and reality will show us that many issues in society have become schools’ responsibilities as we partner with our parents and community to help our students become productive and successful citizens.
One issue schools in the country have all begun to take on over the last few years is socialemotional and mental-stability issues
Six years ago, PUSD began to train teachers and fund staffing to support students’ social-emotional needs. This past year, our district took that movement to another level by providing a director position to oversee the many programs and several staff dedicated to this cause.
I am excited to introduce you to our new Social Emotional Director Jessy Stickel.
In her words: I’m so happy to get an opportunity to connect with all of you. I have been with PUSD for seven years now as an academic advisor, student success coach, and now as the social-emotional director.
What an honor to be with a district that values building social-emotional capacity. Together we are creating opportunities for our students, staff and families to increase their self and social awareness, providing tools for healthy relationships through positive engagement, and giving them the resources to make constructive choices that honor their goals.
To accomplish this I have chosen to focus on four main areas of delivery. Culture, which is our district’s beliefs, climate, what our practices are that we participate in daily, collaboration with our community organizations and resources, and lastly our onsite coaching and counseling services.
Coaching & Counseling Team Check-In at Abia Judd
SEL Professional Development Day: onsite staff and community presenters
If you have any questions, ideas or concerns please reach out to me at jessica.stickel@prescottschools. com. I look forward to talking with you.
Additional information is available at www. sites.google.com/prescottschools.com/ pusd-social-emotional-services/home
“Education is not the learning of facts, but the training of the mind to think.” – Albert Einstein
Education is the basis for the growth and progress of society allowing people to contribute more, in their areas of expertise, to create better communities. Education on every level develops problem-solving skills and provides the opportunity for empowerment through hard work.
We’re proud to introduce our newest, regular section in Prescott LIVING Magazine, the Education Section! The section will appear in every bi-monthly issue including a complete directory, local articles and messages from local schools to help you decide what best suits your personal or family needs.
A special thank you goes out to Guidance Helicopters, Inc. for sponsorship of the Education Section! Because of their generosity, we are able to bring you more information from our local schools.
(Photos by Ray Newton)
YC Considers Tax Increase, Approves Tuition Fees
Enrollment increases and growth within the Yavapai College system prompted the college’s Governing Board members to consider requesting a 3% increase in the county property tax levy to support the college’s growth.
The request was announced during the Nov. 16 board workshop. Chairwoman Deb McCasland said the board was emphatic in supporting the stated college strategic plan of providing accessible and affordable educational opportunities to county residents.
YC operates six campuses and centers within the county. The college offers more than 100 degrees or certificate programs. It also provides community services and cultural and recreational activities at several locations.
Tyler Rumsey, YC director of marketing, said the Governing Board is planning a budget for the coming year, but will not approve final figures until its May meeting. During that public meeting, the board will review and vote on budget numbers presented by college officials.
Rumsey said the college was optimistic about enrollment figures for the year to date. He said fall enrollment had increased 6.5 % over the previous year. Predictions are that future enrollments will increase.
Currently, about 7,400 students are enrolled; about 23% are fulltime. State data indicates YC was one of only three community colleges in the state to experience enrollment increase this past fall.
College Sets Tuition for 2022-23
Taking pride in keeping its tuition low, the YC Governing Board approved tuition and fees for the coming academic year during its October meeting.
• In-state tuition: Tier 1 (base) $98 per credit; Tier 2 (lab) $113 per credit; Tier 3 (career-technical education) $126 per credit. • Western Undergraduate Exchange: Tier 1 (base) $147 per credit; Tier 2 (lab) $170 per credit; Tier 3 (career-technical education) $188. • Senior discounts for credit classes: 50% (previously 25 %).
The board reduced tuition by 50% for online concurrent high school students for the coming academic year.
President Lisa Rhine said higher education gives students a significant jumpstart in meeting their career goals. YC officials are pleased the college offers affordable online options in Arizona. YC’s tuition is 40% below the national average for community colleges. More information about Yavapai College at www.yc.edu.
Planned improvements along the Granite Creek Corridor in downtown Prescott are delayed until October 2022 because bids for corridor construction were about $800,000 higher than estimates had predicted. (Photo courtesy City of Prescott)
Granite Creek Corridor Improvements Delayed
Improvements along the Granite Creek Corridor will be delayed for several months because construction bids came in higher than expected.
Improvements likely won’t begin until October 2022, with completion expected April 2023.
Only two firms submitted bids: Asphalt Paving and Supply, $2.55 million, and Fann Contracting Inc., $3.4 million. Both were significantly higher than the original $1.9 million cost estimate. Bids were presented to the City Council Oct. 26.
Tyler Goodman, assistant to the city manager, said costs were higher because construction and materials prices and supply chain issues have increased dramatically during the past several months.
New bid requests likely will occur late spring or early summer. “We’ll be submitting this bid request again through the City’s budget process and will have to receive continued City Council support,” Goodman said.
Construction was complicated further when the $500,000 grant the City applied for through the Land and Water Conservation Fund in 2021 was delayed until the 2022 round for grants.
Goodman said he and City Recreation Services Director Joe Baynes will pursue that grant request opportunity again. They believe they can ask for even more than a half-million dollars.
Corridor Improvements
When complete, the corridor will include better overhead lighting, new signage, Greenway Trails and improved trail surfaces, better access for handicapped and major improvements to creek channels.
City personnel and local groups long have considered Granite Creek Corridor — the stream beds that run through the center of downtown Prescott — as a potential destination, much like San Antonio’s Riverwalk, but smaller.
Goodman said groups and organization involved in planning corridor improvements include the Prescott Chamber of Commerce, Arizona Public Service, Sharlot Hall Museum, Prescott Creeks, City Tourism Advisory Committee, Northern Arizona Council of Governments and the Planning and Zoning Commission.
Nurture your Immunity Throughout Winter
by Dr. Hojat Askari, Founder and Medical Director, Thumb Butte Medical Center
Winter is a beautiful season around Greater Prescott, but like everywhere else it’s a fertile breeding ground for respiratory viruses and other infections.
We need to be more vigilant than ever about bolstering our immune systems so we can make it through the season without being knocked down.
Keeping our immune systems strong requires being consistent with many of the same habits that promote overall health: a nutritious diet, adequate exercise and (particularly) sleep, staying hydrated and finding productive ways to cope with stress.
But there are other specific measures you and your family can take to reinforce your immune system to get through the remainder of this season and into the next:
CHOOSE IMMUNEBOOSTING FOODS
Vitamin C has long been associated with supporting immune health for its role in creating white blood cells and is especially abundant in guava, citrus, bell peppers, strawberries, broccoli and kale. Vitamin D is equally important but harder to find — it’s in salmon and other oily fishes, fortified milks and orange juice, but ask your physician if you should be taking a supplement.
KEEP CONNECTED
Stay in contact with your friends and family, in person when possible or via calls, texts, letters, Facetime, whatever works best. Studies have shown genes which are positively affected by social connection also impact immunity.
CAREFUL ABOUT OVERTRAINING
It does boost your immune system, when you’re well, but if you’re starting to feel a little bit “off,” pushing yourself too hard can weaken your immunity further.
BUT DO GET OUT
Sunlight on our skin generates the chemicals your body needs to generate vitamin D on its own, so despite the cold try to expose as much skin as you can to the sun for a few minutes each day (but don’t go for too long without sunscreen).
WASH YOUR HANDS FREQUENTLY
Don’t forget this and other fundamentals of basic hygiene. Cover your cough with a tissue or your elbow instead of your hand. Don’t share utensils or napkins with others who might be sick. Wash and cook foods thoroughly to avoid foodborne illness.
Love Reigns at Zoological Sanctuary
by Molly Williams, Education Coordinator, Heritage Park Zoological Sanctuary
It’s a tale of true love!
If you’ve been to the Heritage Park Zoological Sanctuary within the last year, you may have noticed a great horned owl perched in a tree near one of our great horned owl exhibits. Did one of our owls find its way out of the exhibit?
No, that handsome owl would be the one that sanctuary staff has lovingly knighted with the name Prince Albert. The tale as old as time: handsome Albert has a serious crush on Victoria, one of our female great horned owls.
Victoria started calling Heritage Park her home in 2009 after being rescued from a wing injury; one that kept her from being released. Albert was first noticed visiting Victoria in the beginning of 2021.
Since then, every day you can see Albert perched some place near Victoria. You may find him on her exhibit, perched in the tree right next to hers, or perhaps across the path gazing from a distance.
Albert comes and goes as he pleases and never bothers sanctuary guests, staff or residents. Albert and Victoria will call to one another during the day and into the nighttime hours. It’s truly an amazing bond to witness.
Next time you visit the sanctuary be sure to look up and get a glimpse of the loving Prince Albert and his Queen Victoria, the true royalty of Heritage Park Zoological Sanctuary.
