ACP Fall Newsletter
November 2026
Message from the Superintendent, Dr. Kayleen Marble
What an exciting fall it has been at Academy with Community Partners! Our campus has been filled with school spirit, student achievements, friendly competition, and opportunities to celebrate the incredible students who make ACP such a special place to learn and grow.
One of the highlights this year has been our weekly classroom competitions, where students work together to demonstrate positive behaviors, strong attendance, and classroom engagement. We love seeing our students encourage one another and take pride in their accomplishments! We’ve also enjoyed recognizing our Star Students each week, celebrating those who go above and beyond and demonstrate what it means to be an ACP Lion. Our attendance competitions have provided additional motivation, with winning students earning opportunities to participate in exciting field trips as a reward for their commitment to showing up and being successful.
Beyond the classroom, we’ve had a wonderful time building our school community through events like Homecoming and our flag football games. These experiences create lasting memories, strengthen friendships, and give our students opportunities to connect and show their Lion pride.
We are also incredibly proud to share some outstanding news! ACP has officially earned an “A” school designation from the Arizona Department of Education for the 2025–2026 school year! After earning a B rating for the past three years, this achievement is a tremendous milestone for our school. It reflects the hard work and dedication of our students, teachers, staff, and families. We are especially proud of the continued improvement in our graduation rate and the opportunities we are creating for students to achieve their goals. This is truly a celebration for our entire ACP community!
As we move into the holiday season, we have even more to look forward to! We invite our families, alumni, and community members to join us for our Annual Thanksgiving Feast on November 19 at 11:00 AM. This is one of our favorite traditions and a wonderful opportunity to come together in gratitude and celebration. In December, we are also looking forward to Cocoa with Santa, another special opportunity to bring our ACP families together for some holiday fun!
Thank you for your continued support and partnership. At ACP, we believe that every student deserves a place where they feel valued, supported, and empowered to succeed. We are proud of how far we’ve come and excited about all that lies ahead.
Together, we are building “A Legacy of HOPE with a Future of Success!”
Message from the Dean of Students - CJ Freas
We are excited to kick off Block 3, one of the most wonderful times of the school year! With Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s right around the corner, there is so much to celebrate and look forward to!
As we enter this busy holiday season, we want to remind our students and families that attendance is KEY to student success! Every day matters, every class counts, and showing up consistently keeps our students on track toward their goals and graduation.
ITS TIME for some Basketball and esports. Our varsity basketball comes in ranked in AZ at 107. Esports is looking to make another run at a state championship title. We are also starting to plan for spring with co-ed soccer, 7v7 football, and track and field.
Let’s finish 2026 strong, stay focused, and make Block 3 our best block yet!
Message from Graduation Coach/School Administrator - Shannon Holec
As your Graduation Coach, I want to remind you that your future is full of possibilities, and every step you take today brings you closer to your goals! Graduation is more than just walking across the stage and receiving a diploma. It represents your hard work, dedication, perseverance, and commitment to your future. I am here to encourage, support, and help you every step of the way.
As we work toward graduation, please remember these important things:
- Stay on Track: Make sure you are meeting all Arizona high school graduation requirements, earning your required credits, and completing any outstanding assignments or courses.
- Complete Your FAFSA: Seniors planning to attend college or career school should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Financial assistance may be available to help make your dreams more affordable. Visit https://studentaid.gov.
- Plan Your Next Chapter: Whether you plan to attend college, enroll in a trade school, join the military, enter the workforce, or pursue another opportunity, start preparing now for life after high school.
- Ask for Help: If you are struggling, falling behind, or unsure about your next steps, please reach out. You do not have to figure everything out on your own.
I want every student to know that you are capable, you are important, and your goals are worth pursuing. There may be challenges along the way, but do not allow temporary setbacks to determine your future. Keep showing up, keep pushing forward, and believe in yourself. My goal as your Graduation Coach is to help you cross that stage with confidence, knowing you have a plan for what comes next. Let's stay focused and make graduation our goal! Your diploma is within reach, and I cannot wait to celebrate your success!
Student Stars by Block
These students earned stars every week for the block. They had perfect attendance, no tardies, and stayed on task in their classes.
Block 1: Marz, Guadalupe, Ivan, Nathanuel, Kassandra, Priscilla & Strella
Block 2: Marz, Gabriel, Guadalupe, Mile, Ivan, Kassandra, Priscilla, &Strella
Block 1 field trip
Solerina Hernandez - Registrar
Solerina has joined our team as Ms. Betty is leaving in a few weeks to welcome a new baby into her family. Please join me in giving Ms. Solerina an ACP welcome when you see her or talk to her on the phone.
Mr. Jacob Dunford - Online/Blended Teacher
Jacob Dunford manages online classes for both Academy with Community Partners (ACP) blended and the online students, bringing his diverse experience and passion for education to support students and staff. He graduated from Arizona State University in 2017 with a bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education and joined ACCEL, ACP’s parent organization, in 2022. Since then, he has served in a variety of roles: substitute teaching, coaching the esports team to a state championship, teaching in person at ACP, and teaching math online across four states.
Outside of work, Jacob is a proud father of two and has been married for 16 years to his best friend, a fellow ACP employee. In his free time, he enjoys playing pickleball and watching movies.
ROAR
Mighty Lions Choose to ROAR
R - Respectful
O - Open-Minded
A - Achievers
R - Responsible
Key Components of ROAR
Clear Expectations: We establish and communicate clear behavioral expectations for students across different settings within the school. This helps students understand what behaviors are expected and how they can achieve them.
Positive Reinforcement: We recognize and reward positive behavior through various incentives and praise. This reinforces desired behaviors and encourages students to continue making good choices.
Benefits of ROAR:
- Improved Behavior: By focusing on positive reinforcement and clear expectations, ROAR helps reduce behavioral issues and promotes a more respectful and cooperative school environment.
- Enhanced Learning: A positive and supportive environment allows students to focus on learning and achieve their academic goals.
- Stronger School Community: ROAR fosters a sense of community and belonging among students, staff, and families, contributing to a more inclusive and supportive school culture.
Attendance
Consistent attendance is a key factor in student success, whether learning in person or online. Every class period provides essential instruction, meaningful interaction, and opportunities for academic growth. When students attend regularly, they stay connected, engaged, and on track to meet their educational goals.
We understand that life happens, but we encourage families to prioritize attendance and communicate proactively with our team when challenges arise. Together, we can ensure every student has the best chance to thrive.
State testing windows for 2027
More specific dates will be send out 2nd semester, but here are the testing windows. All online 11th grade students that test must have a valid ID (photo ID like a drivers license) for the ACT+ writing.
9th grade - ACT Aspire March 22-April 16th
11th grade - ACT March 23-April 2
11th grade - AZ Science March 22-April 16th
AZELLA testing Feb 8-10th
Need Help with Canvas or Have Questions?
Our Student Success Coordinator, Kristina Norris, is here to support you! If you need assistance with your Canvas account or have any other questions, don’t hesitate to reach out.
Phone: 480-676-5753
Email: knorris@accelschools.com
Social-Emotional Learning with Ms. Carla Mannes
As a Mental Health Counselor, one of my favorite opportunities to connect with students is through Social Emotional Learning (SEL) lessons. Students have been highly engaged and willing to participate in discussions on topics that are relevant to their daily lives. In October, we explored Empathy through role-playing activities that helped students understand the difference between empathy and judgment. It was wonderful to see every student participate and share their perspectives. In November, our focus is Self-Management, where students are learning strategies to regulate their emotions, thoughts, and behaviors in different situations, helping them make positive choices and achieve their goals.
Lock Down Drill
Student safety is a top priority at Academy with Community Partners High School. As part of our effort to ensure that we are prepared to respond appropriately in an emergency, school staff members and students are trained. We conduct practice drills periodically throughout the year.
We conducted a lockdown drill on Nov 3rd. Our staff and students responded quickly and followed the proper procedures. We will continue to wok together to maintain a safe learning environment for our students.
Friday School at ACP High School
Friday School is a great opportunity for students to catch up on missed hours due to absences and receive extra support from their teachers. Held on Friday(s) from 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM, our dedicated teachers are on campus to provide guidance, answer questions, and help students stay on track with their learning. Take advantage of this time to get ahead, strengthen understanding, and ensure academic success!
Tax Credit Donations
Remember that each year there is an AZ tax credit of $200 for individuals and $400 for families when you donate to a school. This means that if you give a donation of that amount to the school (with receipt) you get that as a tax credit back on your AZ state taxes. These donations are used to help our sports and other extracurricular activities. For more information or to donate using our tax credit link, go to our website at https://acparizona.org/tax-donation
