7/2/2010

Prep school opening in Avondale

Beth Kristin Ott
Assistant Editor

Bob Asadi is no stranger to education.

He's served as the principal of a new high school when Millennium High opened in Goodyear.

Now, he's taking on the task of opening a new school again. The experience will be different this time, though.

Arizona Agribusiness and Equine Center is opening a college preparatory high school at Dysart and Osborn roads in Avondale.

AAEC district has a science and agricultural focus and collaborates heavily with community colleges. The district operates charter public schools at three other community colleges: Mesa, South Mountain and Paradise Valley.

In fact, many students graduate from the district with their high school diploma and about two years of college credits at the same time.

"We want to work with the community and our neighbors and give a great learning experience for our students," Asadi said.

The high school will start the school year Aug. 9. It is prepared to begin with primarily freshmen, but can accept older students who can test in to the community college courses.

"Depending on where you are going to go to school, it can be quite a savings of tuition," Asadi said.

Asadi had left education for a while and worked in the financial sector, but something beckoned him back.

"I just missed education," he said. "I just thought what a great idea this kind of school is."

The college credits are part of the standard plan at AAEC. Small, focused schools have other benefits as well, the principal said.

"It's nice to have no drama, just a small campus," Asadi said. "Especially the girls can go through a lot of drama on the typical high school campus."

For students interested in agricultural education, the school will board livestock nearby. The school will also have high-tech science lab equipment, Asadi said.

Students will take some classes in the four buildings AAEC has purchased a block from Estrella Mountain Community College and some on the college campus.

"We don't have them wear uniforms or anything, we want them to meld right into the college classes," Superintendent William Torres Conley said. "They have better success when they go on to universities because they have already learned to be college students."

The school initially planned to purchase the land owned by the West Valley Arts Council next to the college and build there. The land deal fell through, but the district was determined to come to the West Valley and work with EMCC, so it purchased the new buildings it will use at Dysart and Osborn roads.

Students are currently enrolling for the fall at AAEC. Go to www.aaechighschools.com for information.

Beth Kristin Ott can be reached by e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .