Junior High & High School
Junior high & High School | Grades 7-12
Welcome to American Leadership Academy Ironwood
Preparing Warriors for Graduation and What Comes Next
American Leadership Academy Ironwood provides tuition-free public charter education for students in grades 7–12 in Queen Creek, Arizona.
Junior high school is where students begin taking greater responsibility for their education. High school adds graduation requirements, advanced coursework, hands-on electives, and decisions about college, technical education, military service, careers, and the workforce.
Ironwood gives students room to explore those options while they still have time to decide where they want them to lead.
Grades 7-8
Junior High at ALA Ironwood
Preparing for High School
Junior high school brings more moving parts. The work itself becomes more demanding, but so does the responsibility surrounding it.
Students have to keep track of what is due. Ask questions when they do not understand. Prepare the night before. Learn from the occasional bad grade instead of treating it as the end of the story. Those habits are part of preparing for high school.
Two Year Plan
Students and families work together during grades 7 and 8 to develop a two-year plan that prepares students for high school coursework and future academic expectations.
Education and Career Action Plan
In 8th grade, students begin developing their Education and Career Action Plan (ECAP) with support from a Student Services Advisor, exploring high school coursework, career interests, and long-term goals.
High School Credit
Some junior high coursework may qualify for high school credit, including Algebra 1 and Geometry. High school-level world language may earn credit with a C or above and at least 80% on the final exam.
Looking Ahead
Connecting Academics to Future Goals
Grades 7–8 serve as a vital bridge, helping students strengthen their core academic knowledge while giving families time to explore what comes next. At Ironwood, we focus on two critical areas during these transitional years:
- Developing Core Academics: Students master complex subjects like math, science, and history, applying the study habits and independence they are building in the classroom.
- Planning Ahead: The choices made in junior high lay the groundwork for the future. We give families time to explore high school graduation requirements, diploma pathways, Honors and AP courses, Dual Enrollment, and Career and Technical Education (CTE).
To help connect today's learning with tomorrow's goals, our 7th and 8th graders also use MajorClarity—a career exploration tool that helps them align their current interests with their future academic and post-secondary plans.
Grades 9-12
High School at ALA Ironwood
Graduation and Future Readiness
High school turns academic planning into concrete action. Students work toward graduation by choosing courses that align with their unique strengths and goals. To ensure they are prepared for a university, a trade, or the workforce, Ironwood connects students directly with STEM, Dual Enrollment, and specialized College Ready programs.
This preparation is built on a comprehensive academic foundation. Students balance advanced coursework and electives with core requirements in English, math, laboratory science, history, and physical education. By completing additional credits in fine arts or CTE, financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and a world language, every Ironwood graduate leaves with a highly competitive transcript.
Diploma Pathways
American Leadership Academy Ironwood offers multiple diploma pathways so students can plan coursework around their goals and interests for advanced academic opportunities. View the official Course Catalog for details about each diploma→
Graduation Diploma
Honors Diploma
STEM Diploma
PREPPED FOR SUCCESS
Student Services and Academic Planning
As academic decisions become more important in grades 7–12, greater independence does not mean students have to figure everything out on their own. Ironwood Student Services provides dedicated advising, tutoring opportunities, and career exploration tools like MajorClarity to help families navigate the future.
Students can use Student Services for help with:
- Course selection and graduation progress
- Diploma pathways
- AP and Dual Enrollment
- College preparation and financial aid
- Career exploration (via MajorClarity)
- Vocational, trade, and military pathways
- Tutoring and academic support
- Transcripts and post-secondary planning
The goal is not to force students to choose a lifelong career at 14, but to give them the guidance and support to ask better questions, adjust their plans as goals change, and address academic challenges early.
Measuring Progress
Tracking Academic Growth
Students enrolled in Arizona public education participate in required state assessments.
Junior High: Students in grades 7 and 8 complete state assessments in reading, writing, and math. 8th graders also take the state science assessment and the civics exam.
High School: Students participate in assessments such as ACT Aspire, AzSCI, and the ACT, depending on grade level and state requirements, and must meet the civics exam requirement for graduation.
Discover your path
Career & Technical Education
Career and Technical Education gives students opportunities to explore career pathways, build practical skills, and prepare for industry-specific opportunities. ALA Ironwood offers several Career and Technical Education courses on-site, and students who complete two years of a CTE course sequence may have the opportunity to complete industry-specific exams or certifications.
ALA students may also have access to CTE partnership programs through ALA Applied Technologies. Students participating in partner CTE programs should work closely with an Academic Advisor to make sure their course load and credits meet graduation requirements.
Honors, AP, and Dual Enrollment
ALA Ironwoodoffers academic opportunities designed to challenge students and help them prepare for college-level expectations. Depending on grade level, campus offerings, and student readiness, students may have access to:
- Honors courses
- Advanced Placement (AP) courses
- Dual Enrollment courses
- Advanced math, science, English, and history options
- College credit opportunities
College and Career Readiness
Students prepare for life after high school through academic planning, assessments, advising, and post-secondary opportunities, including:
- Education and Career Action Planning
- PSAT and ACT testing
- ASVAB career exploration
- Dual and concurrent enrollment
- AGEC certificate and associate degree opportunities
- College and career advising
Junior/High School Hours & Contact Information
School Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:15 am - 2:55 pm
Office Hours: Monday through Friday, 7:30 am - 4:00 pm
Early Release Hours: Days vary, 8:15 am - 1:00 pm
Address: 850 W. Combs Road Queen Creek, AZ 85140
Phone: (480) 344-9898
Fax: (480) 344-9849
Now Enrolling for 2026-2027
Preschool through Grade 12 · Public Tuition-Free Charter School