About Us

ALA Applied Technologies is a tuition-free charter trade school in Arizona that functions What is American Leadership Academy (ALA) Applied Technologies and who can attend?as a full-service 7–12th grade high school focused on career and technical education. This means students receive a rigorous academic curriculum and hands-on vocational training on the same campus. The program emphasizes academic excellence, character development, and career readiness in a moral, wholesome environment, staying true to ALA’s core values. The Applied Technologies campus even includes a Pre-K program (preschool) on-site, reflecting ALA’s commitment to supporting families from early childhood through high school. We offer 10 specialized applied technology academies (career pathways) for students to choose from, including:

• Aviation
• Auto Maintenance
• Health Care
• Information Technologies
• Cosmetology
• Culinary Arts
• HVAC Training
• Medical Assistant School
• Veterinary Assistant Training
• EMT Classes

Each academy provides focused training in that field while students also earn their high school diploma.

ALA Applied Technologies stands out among trade schools in AZ as the first charter trade high school of its kind – blending a college-prep academic high school with advanced vocational training all in one location. Unlike traditional trade schools or programs where students might attend part-time or pay tuition, ALA Applied Technologies is tuition-free and students take both core classes (English, math, science, etc.) and career-specific courses on the same campus. They graduate with a full high school diploma and real industry credentials in their chosen field, without needing to juggle schedules or travel between a home high school and a trade program. Moreover, ALA’s culture of leadership and values-based education means we focus not only on technical skills but also on character development – our students learn respect, responsibility, and teamwork as part of their training. In short, ALA Applied Technologies provides the hands-on career preparation you’d expect from a top trade school, plus the depth of academics and community of a traditional high school, giving students the best of both worlds

While there are some similarities, ALA Applied Technologies differs from EVIT and other trade schools, as it is a 9-12 tuition-free charter school where students earn both their high school diploma AND industry certifications in one location without the need to coordinate travel between campuses. The college and career prep school is the first of its kind in the state that supports students’ career exploration goals!

EVIT is a grade 11 and 12 public, career, and technical education district (CTED) that serves students who reside in East Valley school districts. Students split their day between their career preparation program and their home high school. 

Hands-on learning is at the heart of ALA Applied Technologies. Each academy features specialized labs, workshops, or studios outfitted with the tools and technology of that industry, so students practice with the same equipment professionals use. For example, automotive students train in a real auto garage and even service actual vehicles under instructor supervision, and culinary students perfect their skills in a commercial-grade kitchen. Rather than just reading textbooks, students learn by doing – whether it’s flying simulators and maintaining aircraft engines in Aviation, practicing clinical procedures in Health Care, or cutting hair and managing a salon in Cosmetology. Many programs include project-based learning and even internships or live projects with industry partners (for instance, partnerships that let students work with real companies or the public). This approach gives students meaningful real-world experience and confidence in their skills before they even graduate, truly preparing them for the workforce.

Yes – one of the biggest advantages of ALA Applied Technologies is that students can earn industry-recognized certifications as part of their high school experience. Each academy is aligned with certification or licensing opportunities relevant to that field. For example, Aviation students can prepare for Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certifications (like the Airframe & Powerplant mechanic license or drone operator license), Automotive students train for ASE certifications, and Health Care students work toward credentials such as the Certified Nursing Assistant (LNA) or Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certification. In our Information Technologies tracks, students can gain certifications in areas like cybersecurity or programming (e.g. CompTIA or Cisco certifications), and Cosmetology students earn hours toward the Arizona state cosmetology or aesthetics licenses. These certifications are usually achieved by passing external exams or completing required hours, and ALA provides the needed coursework and exam preparation during the school day. By graduation, students will have a high school diploma and can hold one or more professional certifications, giving them a head start on their careers (or a strong advantage if they pursue college or further training).

As a public charter school, ALA Applied Technologies charges no tuition – attendance is free for all Arizona resident students. The tuition-free model includes the full high school program: students have access to all academic courses, their chosen academy classes/labs, standard school facilities, and guidance services without any enrollment fee. In other words, families do not pay for the extensive trade training or the academic instruction; it’s funded just like any other public school. Even many of the extras are covered – for instance, students can earn college credits through dual-enrollment agreements at no cost, and the school provides the industry-grade equipment and materials needed for the programs (students might need to adhere to things like uniform policies or basic supplies, but there’s no costly trade school tuition). This model makes career and technical education accessible to a wide range of students, which is a key difference between ALA Applied Technologies and private trade schools that can be expensive. The result is a high-quality trade school in AZ experience delivered in a public school setting, available to families tuition-free.

ALA Applied Technologies uses a schedule that integrates career-training classes with traditional academic classes throughout the school day. Students take all the required core subjects – English, math, science, social studies, etc. – to meet Arizona’s high school diploma requirements, and those are scheduled just like at any high school. In addition, each student is enrolled in their academy classes, which are their hands-on technical courses. A typical schedule might have students spending part of the day in academic classrooms and another part in their academy’s lab or workshop. For example, a student could have math and English in the morning, then an Automotive technology class in the auto shop in the afternoon. The programs are designed so that starting in 10th grade, students dive deeply into their chosen academy courses (9th graders often take a career exploration or intro course to help them choose an academy). Despite the added focus on trades, students do not miss out on core academics – the coursework is coordinated so they can excel in college-prep subjects while pursuing their applied technology training. Extracurricular activities like clubs, sports, and school events are available as well (students can participate in things like student government, honor societies, and even attend dances like Homecoming and Prom through ALA). The goal is a balanced schedule where hands-on training enhances learning and students enjoy a full high school experience, all between 7:30 am and 2:40 pm on our campus (a standard school day).

All our Academy courses begin in the 10th-grade year EXCEPT for Aviation Mechanics and Cosmetology which are 4-year programs due to the number of hours required for certifications.

We are proud to be the Pathfinders!

At full capacity, Applied Technologies will have approximately 600 students per grade level evenly distributed across the 10 Academies. With only 60 students per grade level in each Academy, Applied Technologies has the resources of a large school with the intimate feel of a small school.

We don’t expect all of our students to know exactly what career path they want to take as they enter high school. Knowing your child's strengths and interests will allow them to find an academy that suits their skills and sets them up for success. We also offer 9th-grade students a Career Exploration course to help them find their path.

We offer a rigorous core academic program that meets the Arizona requirements for a high school diploma. Combined with our innovative career and technical education program, students will be well-positioned for life after high school, whether that means going to college or entering the workforce.