NE Valley Times

Dr. Scott Menzel, superintendent of Scottsdale Unified School District (SUSD), expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration with Scottsdale Community College (SCC), stating, “This initiative marks a significant step forward in providing enhanced educational opportunities for our SUSD high school students and aligns with both institutions' commitment to academic excellence, preparing the next generation for success in higher education and the workforce.”

SCC President Dr. Eric Leshinskie shared the long-term goal of the partnership, saying, “The long-term goal of this partnership is to empower students participating in the program to graduate from Coronado High School and have greater access to college courses, possibly earning a degree or certificate along the way.”

Principal Amy Palatucci of Coronado High School highlighted the alignment of the SCC/SUSD partnership with the community’s Coronado Promise program, stating, “With this new partnership with SCC, our Coronado Dons get a running start on higher education, along with earning their diploma from us. It’s a wonderful collaboration.”

The innovative partnership between Coronado High School and Scottsdale Community College will offer students concurrent enrollment with expert instruction from SCC faculty. Students will have the opportunity to learn from seasoned professionals in a high school setting, preparing them for future success in higher education and the workforce.

Furthermore, students at Coronado will work towards earning their Level One Entrepreneurship Certification, learning how to launch a successful company and turn their dreams into reality. The program aims to establish networking opportunities for students with SCC professors and local industry leaders, as well as diversify course offerings with high-interest classes not currently part of dual-enrollment offerings at Coronado High School.

The first Early College course being taught this semester by SCC faculty at Coronado is "Marketing and Social Media,” with plans to expand offerings to include “Intro to Entrepreneurship” and “New Venture Creation” in the next school year. These courses will lead students to be eligible to earn their Level One Entrepreneurship Certification from SCC, providing them with college credit and high school credit simultaneously.

In conclusion, this partnership between Coronado High School and Scottsdale Community College signifies a significant advancement in providing students with unique and valuable educational opportunities, setting them on a path towards academic and professional success.