FAQ | AAEC High Schools

AAEC is an Independent Public High School District with four campuses in partnership with Maricopa Community College District and one in partnership with Yavapai Community College district. A rigorous college preparatory curriculum is offered to students and at the same time enables them the opportunity to complete college courses for qualifying students while completing their high school diploma requirements.

Students prepared to enter 9th grade high school course work are eligible to attend AAEC. AAEC admits students of any race, gender, color, national and ethnic origin to all rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the high school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, color, national and ethnic origin, disability, or limited English proficiency in administration of its educational policies, admission policies, scholarships and loan policies, athletic, CTE and other school administered programs.

AAEC believes high school students properly prepared are able to handle college level courses while still in high school. College is more important than ever for professional success, yet the rising cost and poor preparation of many high school students prevent them from realizing their academic and career goals. The location of a high school on or near a college campus provides real connection to the next stage of learning and serves as a realistic goal and motivation for students to complete high school. Students attend college classes, receive college credit that also counts toward a high school diploma., Additionally, students have college ID cards and in many cases access to the entire college facility – a library, tutoring services, cafeterias, recreational facilities, theaters, language labs, a writing center, and additional computer labs.

AAEC is a school for students of all abilities and preparation who wish to apply themselves to their academic interests in a safe and caring environment. Many qualifying students and earn college credit while still in high school.

Arizona Agribusiness and Equine Center, Inc, or AAEC for short, was founded and named by Ms. Linda Proctor-Downing. The hands on approach to learning and teaching core curriculum that includes students' interests and passions are critical to its success. It was important to honor our roots and remain true to what made us successful yet bring our innovative teaching techniques and blended high school/college model to all students and families.

Yes. AAEC's curriculum meets the Arizona Department of Education requirements for high school graduation.

Agriculture isn't just straw hats, plows and sows. Everything that is eaten, most of the things that are worn, and many of the medicines that save lives, are products of agriculture. High-tech agriculture, especially the areas of plant and animal biotechnology are developing into very important industries for the United States and the entire world. The strong research component at AAEC helps students to develop strong inquiry skills. These skills lead to self-reflection enabling students to know who they are and what their passions and interests are in relation to career aspirations. Students who graduate from AAEC are clear about whom they are and what is their best course of study to achieve career goals.

Equine science and veterinarian studies are a strong on-going interest of many students at AAEC. The school has historically been able to meet this interest with hands on instruction and actually provides access to horses. The school will probably always be known for its outstanding curriculum in equine sciences but also has developed just as strong of a reputation for a general overall college preparatory curriculum. Many AAEC students decide to pursue other areas of study but all students have the opportunity to enjoy the benefits of an equine program and learn to ride if they wish.

Absolutely! While many students decide to go into the sciences, many of our AAEC graduates major in liberal arts fields and pursue careers in business and other dynamic career areas. Our high school college prep curriculum combined with many courses offered by the Maricopa and Yavapai Community College Systems enable qualified Arizona resident students to graduate with an excellent high school education as well as a head start in college, sometimes with as much as two years of college transferable credits.

College tuition and course fees for qualified Arizona resident students are paid for by AAEC as long as students meet satisfactory achievement marks of a C or better, which is considered passing by our school.

Yes. All AAEC students meet yearly and often times more, with both the high school and college advisors, throughout the high school years. AAEC policy ensures that college tuition is paid for transferable college courses only at the 100 level and above. AAEC does not pay tuition for courses that do not transfer to accredited 2-year and 4-year colleges.

AAEC has developed a unique high school transcript that displays a record of all of a student's courses from high school and college. It is a record that lets students, parents, college admissions personnel and AAEC faculty know exactly what courses students have taken, grades received, credits awarded for high school or college and the name of the course. The AAEC transcript is also used to track student and aggregate data for our student population, which is critical for our accountability and funding purposes.

Yes. Generally, since most college courses cover content area more deeply and at a faster pace, students receive an honors designation on the high school transcript for successful completion of college courses with grades of A, B, or C.