Education Programs

Adobe Mountain School is accredited through AdvancED (formerly known as the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement) and offers the standard high school curriculum. All youth committed to secure care, who do not have a high school diploma, are enrolled in the high school program, leading to a high school diploma. As part of the high school program, youth are assigned classes based upon their readiness for that grade-level work and their credit needs. Classes include academic education, Career Technical Education (CTE), and credit recovery.

EDUCATION MODEL

The academic school year has 200 instructional school days divided into five (5), eight (8) week terms, separated by a one (1) week break. Each term offers two (2) courses, each a half credit, allowing youth to earn one (1) credit per term. In addition, youth take a one credit life skills course that runs concurrently with their confinement, making them eligible for up to eight credits per academic year. Youth receive tutoring as needed, as well as career exploration services, and education transition services for youth transitioning from secure care to community corrections. Youth may also earn additional expedited credit through credit recovery.

COURSE OFFERINGS

To meet the Arizona High School Diploma graduation requirement of 22 credits, ADJC offers core academic and CTE courses, including:

  • Academic Requirements (14 Credits) - English (4 credits), Mathematics (4 credits), Science (3 credits), World History (1 credit), US/Arizona History/Civics (1 credit), Arizona Government (.5 credit), Economics (.5 credit)
  • Career Technical Education (1 Credit) - Current vocational programs include Automotive, Building Trades, Cosmetology, Computer Assisted Drafting (CAD), Culinary, Fire Science and School to Work. Students must complete an application and be approved before entering vocational classes. Students are able to obtain entry level job skills and earn elective credits.
  • General Electives (7 Credits) - May be accomplished through any combination of Academic or CTE classes.

SPECIAL EDUCATION

Each student is screened and assessed and an Individual Education Plan (IEP) is created or updated for qualifying students. Special education students are placed in classes designed to meet their needs and are team taught by a classroom teacher and special education teacher.

INSTRUCTIONAL DELIVERY

Youth receive instruction through several modalities. Direct instruction lays the foundation of courses, which are all aligned to state academic standards. Student engagement and conceptual understanding are enhanced through collaborative classroom activities and discussions. Some students participate in online learning through the use of A+ Courseware. Technology is integrated into each classroom through the use of interactive monitors and laptop computers. Class sizes range from 14/15 for academic classes and from 7/8 for CTE. Each class has one primary content teacher, one special education teacher (if and when needed), and one or two security staff (Youth Corrections Officers) depending on class size and staff availability.

GED TESTING FACILITY

Adobe Mountain School is also a designated GED test site. Parent/guardian permission must be on file before a student can begin this program. Students 16 and older who successfully pass a pre-GED assessment will be permitted to sign up for the official GED. This process allows students to seek tutoring in areas of need prior to attempting the official test. Both pre-GED and official GED testing are held weekly. The GED is administered through computer based testing. Students who earn their GED continue to work towards their high school diploma.