school information

Education has a high priority in the Metro Phoenix area. There are innovative special programs in the public schools, fine private schools and an extensive college system. In addition, vocational training is geared toward the actual needs of employers in the area.

PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Maricopa County has fifty-seven school districts serving over 400,000 students. Programs building a solid foundation of basic skills - reading, language, mathematics, science and social studies - are emphasized throughout the area. One measure of their success is the many awards of excellence from state and federal education departments.

Gifted, honors and advance placement programs are open to talented students. English-as-a-Second Language programs are available too.

All districts have special education programs which address the needs of children with moderate to severe disabilities - mental or physical. Extended school year programs and homebound programs are available options. Vocational and business programs with goals to prepare students for entry into a job or further occupational education thrive.

Other programs assist students with job placement and provide on-the-job experience combined with education.

For further information, call the Maricopa County Superintendent of Public Instruction at 602/506-3866. For a variety of information, contact the Arizona Department of Education website at http://www.ade.state.az.us

UNIVERSITIES & COLLEGES

Tempe is the site of Arizona State University's 700-acre Main Campus. More than 49,000 students seek degrees at ASU's Main and three anchor campuses and through an extensive distance learning program. ASU West is located in northwest Phoenix; ASU East is at the Williams Campus in Mesa; and the College of Extended Education is headquartered in downtown Phoenix. General information: 480/965-9011.

Based in Phoenix, The University of Phoenix is the sixth-largest private university in the country. There are seven local campuses: Hohokam - 4605 E. Elwood St., Phoenix; South Bank - 3600 E. University Dr., Phoenix; Northwest - 15601 N. 28th Ave., Phoenix; Mesa - 1811 S. Alma School Rd.; Scottsdale - 7001 N. Scottsdale Rd.; Gilbert - 2160 S. Power Rd.; and Tempe - 1150 W. Grove Parkway. The phone number for all locations is 480/804-7600.

Phoenix ITT Technical Institute offers associate's degrees in computer network systems and computer drafting & design. Associate's and bachelor's degrees are offered in computer and electronics technology. The ITT Technical Institutes have helped thousands of graduates prepare for career opportunities in a variety of entry-level positions in various fields involving technology. 4837 E. McDowell Rd., Phoenix, 602/252-2331.

Grand Canyon University is a private, liberal arts school offering over fifty majors. Bachelor's and master's degrees are awarded. 3300 W. Camelback Road, Phoenix, 602/249-3300.

At Western International University, degrees in business, science and art can be earned during flexible one-month semester formats. Teaching sites are located in Phoenix, Mesa, Scottsdale and Tempe. 9215 N. Black Canyon Highway, Phoenix, 602/943-2311.

The Thunderbird American Graduate School of International Management offers a master's degree in international management. 15249 N. 59th Avenue, Glendale, 602/978-7100.

Ottawa University has four centers: Phoenix - 10020 North 25th Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85021, 602/371-1188; Scottsdale - 13402 N. Scottsdale Rd., 480/998-2297; Tempe - 10429 South 51st Street, Suite 100, Phoenix, AZ 85044, 602/749-5200; Mesa - 6402 E. Superstition Springs Blvd., Suite 103, Mesa, AZ 85206, 602/749-5230.

Other area schools include Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, 2625 E. Air Lane, Phoenix, 602/275-5533; Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation, School of Architecture, 12621 N. Frank Lloyd Wright Blvd., Scottsdale, 480/860-2700; and High-Tech Institute, 1515 E. Indian School Rd., Phoenix, 602/279-9700.

Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff has four satellite facilities in the Metropolitan Phoenix area: 2715 N. 3rd Street, Phoenix 602/728-9510; 9401 W. Thunderbird Rd., Peoria 623/875-3822; 1580 N. Fiesta Blvd., Gilbert 480/539-6586; 18401 N. 32nd St., Paradise Valley 602/493-2728.

MARICOPA COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM

Ten colleges, two skill centers and multiple satellite education centers comprise the Maricopa Community College District. Collectively, the colleges educate and train more than 243,000 persons year-round. They offer Associate of Arts, Associates of Applied Science and Associate of General Studies degrees. General information: 480/731-8333. The colleges in the system are: