​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Youth and Education Office

​​​​​Smarter Summers. Brighter Futures. Read On Phoenix.













The Mission

The city of Phoenix goal is to build connections between city services, community resources, and public schools to ensure Phoenix students succeed in school, life and career. ​​ While the city of Phoenix does not deliver K-12 education services, the support it provides to students and families can make the difference between academic failure and success.

Youth and Education Commission

A primary duty of the Youth and Education Office is to staff the Youth and Education Commission which consists of community members dedicated to improving education in the Phoenix community. The commission provides policy guidance, develops educational initiatives, and identifies resources for school readiness, high school transition to post-secondary education, career readiness, and governs the education access channel.​

Find out more or apply to the Youth and Education Commission.


 



 

Contact the Youth and Education Office

Phone: 602-262-6941

TTY: 711

Email: mailbox.youth@phoenix.gov

Phoenix City Hall
200 W. Washington St., 12 floor
Phoenix, AZ  85003​


What's Going On

 

 

Phoenix Teens Can Now Apply to Earn Cash Awards for Outstanding Leadership https://www.phoenix.gov/newsroom/education/2585Education12/5/2022 7:00:00 PMhttps://www.phoenix.gov/newssite/Lists/NewsArticle/Attachments/2585/Photo_EDU_2022_Outstanding_Phoenix_Youth_Leaders_1120.jpgPhoenix Teens Can Now Apply to Earn Cash Awards for Outstanding Leadership <div class="ExternalClassD0A202AF2202438FAFA40C9A87832D78"><html> <p>​<span style="background-color:window;color:windowtext;font-size:10pt;">The City of Phoenix Youth and Education Office is now accepting applications for the 2023 </span><a target="_blank" href="/education/outstanding-youth-leader" style="background-color:window;font-size:10pt;">Outstanding Phoenix Youth Leader of the Year</a><span style="background-color:window;color:windowtext;font-size:10pt;"> awards.</span></p> <p>The awards recognize and honor the outstanding achievements of young people, enhance the perception of youth and raise community awareness of their positive contributions.</p> <p>“The Outstanding Phoenix Youth Leader Award has long lasting impacts. Knowing that the money awarded to these amazing teens allows them to further their education and continue to make a difference is why this program is so essential to Phoenix youth," said Youth and Education Director Tim Valencia. </p> <p>“The award helped me pay for my first year of college. To me, this award meant a tremendous accomplishment. It showcased my dedication to my hometown/community through service and leadership" said 2017 overall district winner, Ameerah Battle. She was awarded a total of $2,000 for her leadership in her community. Since then, she graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in biology and is now pursuing her master's in public health to become a physician and work in health policy. “It allowed me to chase my dreams of graduating from Howard University, become a Fulbright Scholar, and pursue my master's in public health at Brown University. This award was a steppingstone to strive and continue for greatness. I am forever grateful." </p> <p>The program is open to any students currently enrolled in high school in Phoenix or who live within Phoenix city limits. Here's how it works:</p> <ul> <li>Two students will be selected as winners from each City Council district and receive an award of $500.</li> <li>In addition, each district-level winner will be eligible for an additional $1,500 award if they are selected as the citywide winners.</li> </ul> <p>Students interested in applying will need to write an essay and submit a recommendation letter and proof of legal residence in the United States. Finalists will be interviewed by members of the community. District award winners will be invited to a luncheon sponsored by Rotary 100 and Salt River Project (SRP) where the citywide award winners will be announced.</p> <p>Eligible students can apply <a target="_blank" href="/education/outstanding-youth-leader">online</a> before 5 p.m. Friday, Feb. 24.​<br></p> <br> </html></div>https://www.phoenix.gov/educationNewseducation
Applications Open for Partner With a Principal Programhttps://www.phoenix.gov/newsroom/education/2436Education8/5/2022 9:00:00 PMhttps://youtu.be/qef0h3DIgJIApplications Open for Partner With a Principal Program<div class="ExternalClassD7259CFFD8184EC6B2C91F23334F529B"><html> <p></p> <p>Business and community leaders will be on their way back to school for the Partner with a Principal program. During the weeks of Sept. 19 through Oct. 14, local corporate executives and community leaders will work alongside Phoenix public, charter and private school principals to actively participate in the school's administration for one day. </p> <p>After experiencing the life of a school principal for a day, the principals and their executive counterparts will discuss how local businesses, community leaders and schools can form lasting partnerships to improve the quality of education, workplace readiness and leadership development programs in Phoenix.<br></p> <p>Last year, 29 businesses partnered with 10 Phoenix school districts and three charter schools. Local businesses invested in Phoenix schools and provided resources to students such as science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM) opportunities. <br></p> <p>Those interested in participating in the Partner with a Principal program, can register online at <a href="/education" target="_blank">phoenix.gov/education</a>. Applications open on Aug. 8 and the deadline to register is Friday, Sept. 2. All participants must attend a virtual information session also on Sept. 7, at 4 p.m. ​<br></p> <p>​</p> </html></div>https://www.phoenix.gov/educationVideoeducation
Phoenix Named an All-America City 2022 https://www.phoenix.gov/newsroom/education/2421Education7/22/2022 7:00:00 AMhttps://www.phoenix.gov/newssite/Lists/NewsArticle/Attachments/2421/03.24.21 Tablet distibution at Aeroterra.JPGPhoenix Named an All-America City 2022 <div class="ExternalClass83F2DEA17A4B459F9DE192B25673CD6D"><html> <span id="ms-rterangepaste-start"></span>The National Civic League and the Campaign for Grade-Level Reading named the City of Phoenix as a ​winner of the 2022 All-America City Award (AAC). This year's theme was, “Housing as a Platform to Promote Early School Success and Equitable Learning Recovery." <br><br>The City's commitment to improving digital equity and collaborating with Phoenix residents in underinvested areas and public housing communities landed the City a winning spot. Phoenix was one of 20 finalist cities across the nation and is one of 10 communities to be recognized this year. <br><br>“COVID-19 caused a profound shift in traditional learning. As students transitioned to an online learning environment, we knew too many families were missing the basic tools needed to navigate this new way of learning," said Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego. “City staff put forth a tremendous effort to close this digital divide, especially for our most vulnerable kids. I'm proud of what we've accomplished, and equally proud the City of Phoenix has been honored with the All-America City Award for the sixth time." <br><br>During the pandemic, the City mobilized community partnerships to distribute more than 12,000 laptops to 15 school districts in underserved areas within public housing communities. Additionally, the City provided 1,600 tablets and Wi-Fi connectivity to families and seniors for at-home learning, telemedicine and more. <br><br>Providing digital devices was one of many steps the City took to support its residents. As the literacy rate for Phoenix students passing the third grade reading assessment declined to 25%, Phoenix co-created literacy and tutoring programs with students, parents and educators to reverse the trend.<br><br>“As someone who grew up in public housing during my childhood, I understand the impact these programs have on our residents. It takes a village to aid in the success of our youth and I am proud to lead a city that takes initiative to make a positive impact on its residents," said Phoenix City Manager Jeff Barton. “Congratulations, Phoenix, on a well-deserved win!"<br> <br><div style="text-align:left;" dir="ltr">​The City of Phoenix is one of the most honored cities in the Country, winning the All-America City designation six times: 1950, 1958, 1980, 1989, 2009 and 2022.<div style="text-align:center;"><span style="text-align:center;background-color:window;color:windowtext;font-size:10pt;">​</span></div><div style="text-align:center;"><span style="text-align:center;background-color:window;color:windowtext;font-size:10pt;">###</span><br></div></div><div style="text-align:center;"><p style="text-align:left;"><strong>About the National Civic League​ </strong></p><p style="text-align:left;">The National Civic League advances inclusive civic engagement through our community assistance programs, including tools, trainings and facilitation services, our award and recognition programs, and nationally recognized research and publications. We promote efforts that seek to listen to, and to learn from residents in ongoing conversations and leverage those insights to help reshape communities so they will thrive.</p><p style="text-align:left;">The All-America City Award is made possible through the support of Southwest Airlines, the official airline sponsor, The Campaign for Grade-Level Reading, W.K. Kellogg Foundation, CGI Digital, MissionSquare Retirement, HealthONE, and Womble Bond Dickinson.</p><p style="text-align:left;"><a target="_blank" href="https://www.nationalcivicleague.org/america-city-award/">Click here to learn more about the National Civic League's All-America City Awards.</a></p><p style="text-align:left;"><strong>About the Campaign for Grade-Level Reading</strong></p><p style="text-align:left;">The Campaign for Grade-Level Reading seeks to disrupt generational poverty and ensure more hopeful futures for children of economically challenged, fragile and otherwise marginalized communities. We support community-driven initiatives to improve the likelihood that these children will grasp the first rung of the success sequence ladder – graduation from high school. Since its launch in 2012, the GLR Communities Network has grown to include more than 350 communities, representing 46 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and two Canadian provinces — sponsored by 5,200+ local organizations, institutions and agencies and supported by 500+ state and local funders, including 200+ United Ways.</p><p style="text-align:left;"><a target="_blank" href="https://gradelevelreading.net/">Learn more about the Campaign for Grade-Level Reading</a><br></p><br><br></div></html></div>https://www.phoenix.gov/educationNewseducation


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