“One of a Kind, Sunny slope High”
By
Gerry Niskern
There’s a small mountain in North Central Phoenix with a huge S painted on it. The S needs a little paint but tradition always takes care of that. In October, the freshman class of Sunnyslope High School will trudge up the mountain carrying big buckets of paint and whitewash the giant letter. The annual ritual is just one of many customs that will continue this year at this unique valley high school.
Sunnyslope High draws students from many other communities. The strong sense of tradition at the school is one of many reasons students attend classes there. Parents also know the faculty on this diverse campus of multiple ethnic groups in the center of Phoenix is dedicated to providing not only a good education, but also preparing students for the real world. Students outside the official boundaries can attend Sunnyslope, but every year there is a long waiting list.
As a recent Sunnyslope graduate told me, “There are some very rich and some very poor kids going to Sunnyslope”. John Croteau, a former principal, once told me, “If you walked onto the campus at lunch time you would find this mixed bag of students hanging out together.”
Croteau went on to say “ There are many reasons that Sunnyslope was chosen as one of only 27 model high schools in the United States, based on the performance of the students, to make a presentation at the Model School Conference attended by 10,000 educators. They shared their instructional practices and successful methodologies. “
“The faculty excels at spotting learning problems early. Their personalized instruction encourages students who think they can’t learn, because of language or other problems, to develop a new attitude.
The teachers don’t accept a student’s excuse that they can’t learn. They believe everyone can achieve and learn; some just need to be taught differently. The students are taught to focus on the positive. As a matter of fact, when it was suggested that the ELL students might no pass the AIMS test, the kids were offended. They did just fine.”
“Because of the faculty’s vigorous encouragement, at least 78% of the student body takes part in extra-curricular activities. There is also very active parent participation on campus and the school offers adult English language classes.”
Cordeau continued “The Academic Placement program is another reason students go to Sunnyslope High. The duel enrollment allows students to leave with several College credits under their belt.”
The school has a great Drama department. Try getting a ticket to one of their sold out performances!
If you are in the area of Sunnyslope on the evening of the homecoming football game this fall, you will experience another school tradition. After each game the freshmen players climb the Mountain carrying flares to outline the S. It’s a moving sight as the flares light up the mountain and the sense of community is signified once again by the red glow.
Go Vikings!