ACP Back to School Newsletter
July 2025

Our Mission
Partnerships combining the resources of the community, family, and the Academy provide an authentic learning environment in which students become active learners through an alternative and recovery High school program.
Students empowered with HOPE develop a feeling of success as they work through real-world projects as valued members of the learning community.
Quick Announcements
Welcome Back Lions!
We're excited to welcome all of our students and families to a brand-new school year at Academy with Community Partners! Be sure to check out our Welcome Back Letter (attached below).
We’re also proud to introduce our new principal, Ms. Gina Little, who brings a wealth of experience, a student-centered approach, and a passion for fostering a supportive, inclusive learning environment. We’re excited for the energy and leadership she will bring to our campus this year!
Upcoming Events
You're Invited – Back to School Night!
Please join us for Back to School Night on Monday, July 28th from 5:00–7:00 PM at the school! This is a great opportunity to meet our staff, tour the campus, and get important information to help your student start the year strong.
Message to Families
Message from the Superintendent, Dr. Kayleen Marble
Dear ACP families,
Welcome back to the 2025-2026 school year at Academy with Community Partners. I hope that you had an opportunity to relax, recharge, and enjoy the summer break. This is a great time to be a part of ACP. If you are new, welcome! If you are returning, we are glad to have you continue with us.
Our mission statement states that we "combine the resources of the community, family, and the Academy" and "provide an authentic learning environment in which students become active learners through an alternative and recovery high school program." This year, all our classes will focus on providing project-based learning experiences so that "Students, empowered with hope, develop a feeling of success as they work through real-world projects as valued members of the learning community".
Across our school, we want to ensure that we provide a safe learning environment, as well as a rigorous and equitable educational experience for all students. We are committed to building strong relationships and partnerships so that education and collaboration can continue.
I look forward to the excitement of the new year, and I thank you for your dedication to ACP, our community, and the students and families that we serve. I wish everyone a great and productive school year.
Sincerely,
Dr. Kayleen Marble
Superintendent
Message from the Principal, Ms. Gina Little
Dear ACP Students and Families,
It is with great excitement and gratitude that I welcome you to a new school year at ACP! My name is Gina-Marie Little—please feel free to call me Gina—and I am honored to be joining this incredible community as your new principal.
A little about me: I am a proud mom of two amazing young adults. My daughter Josephine is 19 and heading into her junior year of college, while my son Jared is 21 and beginning an exciting semester studying abroad. With my children now off on their own adventures, I’ve officially entered “empty-nester” life, which I share with two very energetic pups—Phoenix, a 2-year-old Boston Terrier, and Cash, a 4-year-old Boxer. They keep me on my toes and make sure there's never a dull moment at home!
Professionally, I bring with me over two decades of experience in education. I began my career as a special education teacher, serving in that role for 12 years before transitioning into administration. I’ve had the privilege of serving as a Principal, Superintendent, and Special Education Director, and each role has deepened my passion for creating inclusive, supportive environments where every student can thrive.
I am truly excited to be part of the ACP family and look forward to building strong partnerships with our students, families, and staff. Together, we will create a year filled with growth, opportunity, and success for every student.
Thank you for the warm welcome I’ve already received—I can’t wait to meet each of you and begin this exciting journey together!
Warmly,
Gina-Marie Little (Gina)
Principal, ACP
Message from the Dean of Students, Mr. Chester Freas
Dear Students,
We are excited to welcome you back for another exciting school year! We hope your summer was filled with fun, relaxation, and memorable experiences. As we embark on this new journey together, get ready to embrace new challenges, discover fresh opportunities, and create lasting friendships. I am excited to see familiar faces, as well as meeting new students and families. Together we will make this the best year filled with success, friendships and memories that will stay with you. I also look forward to the growth, and teamwork our sports program will have this year, and it starts with flag football August 4th.
"Individually, we are one drop. Together, we are an ocean."
Welcome back!
Coach C.J.
Message from the Operations Manager, Mr. Taylor Sorensen
Hello families!
Welcome to the 2025–2026 school year! I am excited to welcome our students and families back, both on campus and online, for what promises to be an exciting and rewarding year. The energy around our school is already building, and we can’t wait to see all the amazing things our students will accomplish.
As your Operations Manager, I want to personally assure you that our team is here to support you every step of the way. From enrollment and attendance to general questions and everything in between, we’re just a phone call or email away.
Go Lions!
Did you know?
The average high schooler will write over 1 million words by the time they graduate, that’s more than some novels! Every essay, project, and journal entry is a step toward becoming a strong communicator.
Senior Fee - $100.00
Senior fees for all current 12th graders for the 2025–2026 school year are now due! Payments can be made easily online using the link provided. Please make sure to submit your payment by August 15, 2025 to stay on track for all senior year activities and graduation planning.
Summer Break at ACP
Over the summer, we’ve been hard at work enhancing our campus to better support our students and staff! Led by our dedicated Dean of Students, Mr. Chester Freas, several exciting improvements have taken shape. Check out a few of the highlights below.
Front Office
With a fresh new look our updated front office space is designed to be more welcoming for students, families, and visitors. Stop by and say hello, we’re here to help!
Our Van Wrap is Underway!
We’re excited to share that our school van is getting a fresh new look! The design is in the works and will soon be showcasing our school spirit.
Go Lions!
Improvements on Campus
Student Support
Graduation Coach, Mrs. Shannon Holec
Hello families!
My name is Shannon Holec and I am the Grad Plan coach. As a graduation Coach I work with students to help them meet the state graduation requirements. I meet with the students and create their graduation plans. My contact information is below. Please reach out with any questions.
Shannon Holec
480-716-6257
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
Student Spotlight
Kindness Champion Alert!
Congratulations to Leiland for being named the Torey Lovullo Kindness Champion! Leiland shows true kindness both on and off the field, always lending a helping hand, encouraging others, and going above and beyond for his teammates. We're proud to celebrate his leadership and positive spirit!
Exciting News for Jayden!
Jayden, our former student and student body president is officially signing with Academy Phoenix for basketball! He will be living on campus, focusing first on his education and then dedicating himself to the game. With a full off-season ahead, Jayden is already gearing up with workouts to get ready for an outstanding season. We wish him all the best!
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.
School Operations
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.
Attendance Policy - Reminder
Reporting an Absence
1. Call the Office at (480)-833-0068 & Press "1" for Attendance
2. Email the attendance office at attendance@acparizona.org with the following information:
➔Student First and Last Name and Grade Level
➔ Date of Absence
➔ Reason for Absence
➔ Parent/Guardian Name Reporting the Absence
➔ Parent/Guardian Contact Phone Number
➔ Attach any Medical Documents (if applicable)
PowerSchool Parent Portal
Forms in the Parent Portal
A new feature of the Parent Portal will allow our school to securely collect documents directly through the platform. This includes, but is not limited to, contact information updates and school form acknowledgements.
Sports Corner
Flag Football
Student Activities Corner
Student Council Elections for SY25-26
If you have any questions, please contact our student council advisor, Mr. Sorensen.
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. Business/Corporate donations can be up to $800. These donations are used to help our sports and other extracurricular activities. Please talk to Mrs. Guzman at the front office if you'd like to make a donation. For more information, you can go to https://azdor.gov/tax-credits/public-school-tax-credit
Student and Parent Password Resets
Forgot Your Password?
Contact the School Operations Manager, Taylor Sorensen at tsorensen@accelschools.com for assistance.
Student and Parent Resources
Leadership Team
Dr. Kayleen Marble
Superintendent
Ms. Gina Little
Principal
Mr. Chester Freas
Dean of Students/Athletics Director
Mr. Taylor Sorensen
Ms. Kristina Norris
Student Success Coordinator
Mrs. Shannon Holec
Graduation Coach
Ms. Carla Mannes
Counselor
Mrs. Aimee Dunford
Lead Teacher
Ms. Devon Green
Testing Coordinator
Family Income Forms
Family income forms play a crucial role in supporting our school and students. As you receive this form from our office, please take a moment to complete it. Family income forms are essential for determining eligibility for various federal and state funding programs. These forms help schools qualify for funding that supports educational resources and services.
Staff Qualifications
Parents and guardians may request information about the qualifications of their teachers at any time by emailing our Operations Manager, Taylor Sorensen at tsorensen@accelschools.com. These are also available at our school office at 433 N Hall in Mesa, AZ.
Questions? Call our front office at 480-833-0068

