Junior High & High School
Junior high & High School | Grades 6-12
Welcome to ALA West Foothills
Preparing Student for College, Career, and Life
American Leadership Academy West Foothills provides tuition-free public charter education for students in grades 6–12 in the Waddell community.
Students take on more responsibility as they move through junior high school and high school. Courses become more demanding, choices become more personal, and eventually the conversation turns toward credits, graduation, college, careers, technical education, military service, and the workforce.
Grades 6-8
Junior High at ALA West Foothills
Junior high school brings more moving parts. The work itself becomes more demanding, but so does the responsibility surrounding it.
Students begin managing multiple courses, teachers, assignments, deadlines, activities, and expectations. They have to remember what is due, how to communicate when they do not understand, and they begin learning that a missed assignment does not disappear simply because they forgot about it.
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 ALA West Foothills, 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).
Students in grades 7–12 can use MajorClarity to investigate careers and begin connecting their interests with education, training, and future pathways.
Grades 9-12
High School at ALA West Foothills
High school turns academic planning into concrete action. Students build a competitive transcript by choosing courses that align with their unique strengths and future goals. Whether preparing for a university, a trade, the military, or the workforce, West Foothills connects students directly with advanced coursework and Dual Enrollment opportunities.
This preparation rests on a rigorous academic foundation. By balancing core requirements in English, math, science, and history with specialized electives in fine arts, CTE, and financial literacy, every West Foothills graduate leaves with the confidence and the transcript they need to succeed.
Diploma Pathways
American Leadership Academy West Foothills 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
West Foothills Student Services helps students and families make sense of academic decisions as graduation gets closer. To provide targeted guidance as independence grows, students in grades 7–9 receive dedicated Student Services support, with additional advisors assigned across grades 10–12. Support includes:
- Course selection, graduation progress, and diploma pathways
- Honors, AP, and Dual Enrollment planning
- College admissions, scholarships, and transcripts
- Career exploration via MajorClarity
- Trade, vocational, and military pathways
The grades 6–12 years bring significant changes as academic choices become more important and personal interests become clearer. West Foothills ensures students have the necessary support and resources to explore all possibilities while they still have time to decide where they want those experiences to lead.
Measuring Progress
Arizona Academic 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
High school preparation does not have to point only toward a four-year university. Career and Technical Education (CTE) gives West Foothills students the opportunity to explore career-focused subjects and begin connecting their classroom learning directly with practical skills and future industries.
Because specific CTE offerings can change from year to year, students should use the current high school course catalog when planning. We encourage students to work closely with Student Services to ensure their chosen career pathways align with their graduation requirements and post-secondary goals.
Honors, AP, and Dual Enrollment
ALA West Foothills offers 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
More than A Classroom
Find Your Path at West Foothills
The grades 6–12 years bring a lot of change and transformation. At ALA West Foothills, we support this journey both inside and outside the classroom. Because a transcript only tells part of a student's story, we also help them build teamwork, creativity, and leadership skills through competitive Guardian athletics, an established Fine Arts program, career exploration, and campus clubs.
Whether your student is stepping into junior high, navigating high school, or actively preparing for graduation, we invite families in Waddell and the surrounding communities to visit us. Schedule a tour to meet our staff, explore our programs, and discover how our 6–12 experience can support your student's future.
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: 17608 West Olive Ave, Waddell, AZ 85355
Phone: (623) 288-6250
Now Enrolling for 2026-2027
Preschool through Grade 12 · Public Tuition-Free Charter School