EDUCATION
Education is an important element of any community. The central Arizona region is fortunate to be supported by excellent elementary and high school programs, a county wide community college system, Central Arizona College, and world class universities: Northern Arizona University, Arizona State University and the University of Arizona.
The communities of Casa Grande, Coolidge, Eloy and Maricopa are supported by seven different school districts representing elementary, middle and high schools. The total student K-12 population is greater than 17,000. In addition to the various high schools, the Central Arizona Valley Institute of Technology, a Joint Technology Education School District, supports junior and senior students in the central Arizona region by offering training programs for high demand jobs.
Central Arizona College supports county wide education through 3 campuses and satellite locations across the county. In addition to the traditional courses offered by the College, Central Arizona College partners with businesses to enhance the abilities and skills of their employees through existing or custom made programs.
Strategically located between two world class institutions of higher education, Arizona State University and the University of Arizona, central Arizona benefits from the proximity to highly ranked programs ranging from business and engineering to education and nursing. In addition, Northern Arizona University offers many programs on the Central Arizona Campus, such as bachelor programs in business and education, and select masters programs.
CASA GRANDE
Casa Grande Elementary School District (K-8)
www.cgelem.k12.az.us
Casa Grande Union High School District (9-12)
www.cguhs.org
Parochial School (K-8)
www.stanthonypaduaschool.org
COOLIDGE
Coolidge Unified School District (K-12)
http://coolidgeschools.org
ELOY
Eloy Elementary School District (K-8)
www.eesd.k12.az.us
Santa Cruz Valley Union High School District (9-12)
http://scvuhs.org
Toltec Elementary School District (K-8)
www.toltec.k12.az.us
MARICOPA
Maricopa Unified School District (K-12)
http://maricopausd.org/
Graysmark Academy
www.graysmarkacademy.com
Legacy Traditional School
www.legacytraditional.org
Pathway Preparatory Academy
www.pathwayprep.org
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HIGHER EDUCATION
Community College
Central Arizona College
The Signal Peak Campus of Central Arizona College (CAC) is located 10 miles east of Casa Grande and six miles west of Coolidge. CAC is acomprehensive, accredited community college offering more than 50 pre-baccalaureate programs, from arts to engineering science, and more than 90 occupational programs of study. The college offers courses that transfer to universities and an extensive program of credit and noncredit professional development and skill enhancement classes.
Central Arizona College offers a wide variety of continuing education courses, programs and workshops, including custom tailored in-service training for local industry. CAC also offers courses through the internet and an interactive distance learning television network linking all district campuses with a full range of course experiences.
In the 2007-2008 school year, CAC awarded 285 Associate degrees and 977 certificates.
www.centralaz.edu
UNIVERSITIES
Arizona State University
Within an hour’s drive from the central Arizona region is Arizona State University. Arizona State University (ASU) is the largest public research university in the United States under a single administration, with total student enrollment of 67,082 as of fall 2008. It has four campuses, all in the Phoenix Metropolitan Area.
In the 2007–2008 academic year, 14,535 students graduated from the university's four campuses. In 2008, 168 National Merit Scholars chose to attend ASU. Many are part of Barrett, The Honors College, which has produced numerous grant and scholarship winners since its founding in 1988.
In addition to traditional programs, ASU is home to the Morrison Institute of Public Policy, the Global Institute of Sustainability and the Biodesign Institute.
www.asu.edu 
University of Arizona
With a current enrollment of over 36,000 students, the University of Arizona inTucson is the leading public research university in the American Southwest. This is a diverse community of people who thrive on innovation and collaboration. The U of A’s world-class faculty creates discoveries that improve the human condition and fuel the state’s economy. Their research enterprise provides undergraduate students with opportunities for hands-on experiences that can be found in few universities in the world. As the state’s land-grant university, U of A’s research and resources enrich communities around the state and around the world.
The U of A is ranked 25th in the nation for the impact the university makes on a national scale, which is determined by scores in service, research and social mobility. According to the latest rankings in America’s Best Colleges 2007, the University of Arizona is ranked 45th among public national universities. In addition, the most recent NSF ranking puts the U of A as America’s No. 1 university for research expenditures in the physical sciences. The University has also been nationally recognized and ranked in the fields of medicine, management, physical sciences, communications and law.
Employers can count on a steady output of well-educated, trained professionals. The U of A awarded a total of 7,782 degrees for the 2007-2008 year, which included 5,568 bachelors, 1,399 masters, and 461 doctorates and 354 first professionals.
www.arizona.edu
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RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
University of Arizona Maricopa Agricultural Center
The goal of the Maricopa Agricultural Center is to develop, deliver and service the best integrated agricultural technologies for all problems faced by Arizona consumers and producers. Resarch focuses on cotton, small grains, alfalfa, and new specialty crops that could be used to provide fibers, oils and pharmaceuticals. The Center also supports extension outreach programs, such as Ag-Ventures, various University classes and Ag-Literacy for all ages.
http://ag.arizona.edu/AES/MAC/
Northern Arizona University
Northern Arizona University has a student population of approximately 20,000 at its main campus located in Flagstaff and at over 35 sites across the state.
NAU Distance Learning allows students to pursue higher education through alternative learning environments that meet the demands of today’s busy student. Distance Learning is flexible, delivered through new and innovative technologies, and allows students to meet their educational goals outside of, or in conjunction with, a traditional classroom setting. With technological advances, NAU now employs a variety of mediums to deliver programs to students worldwide. NAU Distance Learning continues to adapt to serve an evolving student population driven by different educational needs. Distance Learning is offered via more than 37 campuses across Arizona.
In the 2007-2008 school year, NAU awarded 2,887 Bachelor's Degrees, 1,763 Master's degrees, and 87 Doctorates degrees.
www.nau.edu
For more information, please call 520-836-6868, or email
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