San Luis High School was recognized for their achievements in college matriculation and attainment by the Arizona State Board of Education during their annual retreat on Tuesday, Aug. 29, 2023 at Arizona Western College’s Schoening Conference Center.
The board, which is made up of 10 members, including Arizona Western College (AWC) President Dr. Daniel Corr and Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne, heard presentations from AWC, Teach for America, and Yuma Union High School District and San Luis High School.
The joint presentation about YUHSD and SLHS was led by Superintendent Tim Brienza and SLHS Principal Rob Jankowski with a focus on dual-enrollment opportunities, Career and Technical Education courses offered, post-secondary attainment, and more.
“We are honored to be recognized for the great work going on across our district and our partnership with Arizona Western College,” Brienza said. “We continue to champion providing opportunities for EVERY student. For the State Board of Education to notice that effort and ask us to share a little bit about our mission, our data, and how we got here is incredible. I continue to be proud of what our schools accomplish each and every day.”
During the 2021-22 school year, YUHSD students earned 3,306 industry certifications by taking state and national certification tests. Additionally, 1,946 students are dually enrolled in high school and college courses in YUHSD with 92.6 percent of those earning a ‘C’ grade or better in those courses. According to AWC data, 102 students, many from YUHSD schools, completed an Associate’s degree program before their high school graduation in 2022.
As a featured portion of the presentation, San Luis High School was held as an example of how a college-going culture can permeate an entire community. Despite being widely considered one of the economically poorest communities in Arizona, San Luis families and their students have continued to achieve at incredible levels. The school, which has a 99.9 percent Hispanic student population, boasts a 92.95 percent graduation rate, 0.97 percent dropout rate, and a college-going rate of 83.3 percent amongst its Class of 2021, according to Helios Decision Center for Education Excellence data.
“We have spent a lot of time in the Helios [Education Foundation] data theater and one of the first things we look at is San Luis as sort of this example of what could be possible for all kids,” ASBE Member Jason Catanese said. “A lot of schools here in Yuma speak to what this is all about, that every child deserves an excellent education.”
