Sunnyside District
Tech-savvy students
The Sunnyside District is equipping students with the tools and the skills to succeed in college and in a global economy. Students are using technology to research information, communicate, collaborate and create. By having a computer they can take home, access to technology is being extended to the entire family.
Additionally, the district launched one-to-one computing in 2010 with the assignment of 1,431 netbooks to every fifth-grder in our 13 elementary schools. In just three years, nearly 4,000 students, grades 5 – 12, have been assigned netbook computers through Project Graduation: The Digital Advantage and one-to-one computing. In 2011-12, every sixth-grader will be assigned a laptop to use while in middle school. Over the next three years, one-to-one computing will be in place for grades 5-12.
New Developments for 2012-13
- Laptops for all students grades 4-9
- Newly constructed freshman academies
- New buses with wi-fi and student e-tracking
Mission
The mission of Sunnyside Unified School District is to ensure that all students achieve academic success and contribute positively to a diverse, changing, democratic society.
Did you know?
Sunnyside District graduates have gone on to attend: UC Berkeley, MIT, Stanford, Columbia, University of Iowa, University of Hawaii, Dartmouth, North Carolina State, Smith College, Boise State, Chatanooga, New Mexico Highland and Western New Mexico.
Project Graduation: The Digital Advantage was awarded the 2009 Pathways to Higher Education Award by the Arizona Commission for Postsecondary Education for being an outstanding college access program which prepares and transitions students into postsecondary education.
It begins in preschool
The Sunnyside District’s committment to college-ready graduates begins in preschool. The high quality, developmentally appropriate Ocotillo Early Learning Center serves children from birth to 5 of all abilities in an inclusive, nurturing, stimulating environment. Programs include Title One preschool, early childhood special education, a fee-based preschool and the Parents as Teachers program.
Despite drastic cutbacks to educational funding, the Sunnyside District has maintained FREE, all-day kindergarten at each of its 13 elementary schools.
...and parents too!
College Academy for Parents is a program offered by the Universityof Arizona's Office of Early Academic Outreach for parents of elementary children. CAP is a 12-week program of weekly workshops. While parents attend workshops, presented in English and Spanish, children participate in College Camp.
Our schools offer:
Project Graduation: The Digital Advantage & Digital Scholars
High school freshmen earn netbook computers after their first semester by achieving goals in the Four A’s of Academics (2.5 GPA or higher), Attendance (95% or better), school Activity (participation in one extracurricular activity) and Attitude (no out-of-school suspensions). Similarly, Digital Scholars is open to students in grades 10, 11 and 12 with the same criteria of the Four A’s except that the Academic goal must be met with a 3.5 or higher grade point average.
Concurrent and Dual-Enrollment Classes
In partnership with Pima Community College, high schools offer several courses on their campuses during the school day in which students receive both high school and college credit.
Dollars for Scholars
A scholarship program provided by the Sunnyside School District Alumni Association, affiliated with the national organization, Scholarship America. Since 2006, more than $380,000 in scholarships has been awarded to 326 SUSD graduates.
Advanced Placement (AP)
Students are able to earn college credit by achieving high enough scores on AP exams.
Advancement Via Individual Determination
AVID is a program that identifies underserved students in grades 6 through 12 with a 2.0 - 3.5 grade point average who demonstrate high potential and prepares them to enter a four-year college.
Campus Visits
Students have multiple opportunities while in elementary, middle and high school to visit college and university campuses throughout Arizona as well as out of state.
Career and Technical Education Programs
CTE offers strong academics, occupational skills and workplace knowledge. Students can gain real-world job experience, achieve industry accreditation, earn dual-enrollment credit and explore career options in a wide range of areas of study.
College Clubs
College Clubs engage students and families in the college entrance process. Along with one-on-one college advisement, students will be able to attend workshops on the college admissions process, college essay writing, scholarship opportunities, financial aid and more.
Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement
MESA is an intensive college preparation program designed for ethnic minority, low-income, and first-generation college-bound students in targeted school districts throughout the nation. MESA programs are available in the middle and high schools.
National Honor Society
Membership for middle and high school students is based on grade point average and community service.
