Alhambra's long haul ends with a banner day

By Jeannette Cruz 
GCU News Bureau 

It’s one thing to survive. It's quite another to thrive.

Six years ago, Claudio Coria refused to let school ratings and statistics derail his mission as the new principal of Alhambra High School, just down the street from Grand Canyon University. He was determined to lift Alhambra students out of the neglect they felt politically and economically.

Alhambra was rated a “D” school by the Arizona Department of Education based on its students’ poor showing on the Arizona Instrument to Measure Standards (AIMS). The school also had a large refugee population, and that same year only 51 percent of its students passed the reading portion of the AIMS.

But now, thanks to a number of initiatives — including a public-private partnership with GCU — Alhambra is thriving.

The school with minority-intensive, low income student populations recently was named a Gold School, the highest level of achievement awarded by the Future of Arizona's Beat the Odds Institute. To earn the gold medal, schools must have a "B" or better from the Arizona Department of Education. 

In his new role as executive director of leadership for the Phoenix Union High School District, Coria still keeps a close eye on Alhambra — and he still appreciates the school's partnership with GCU.

“It was very evident to me when I was principal and now from the district office level that GCU’s investment has made a meaningful difference in the school’s significant improvement,” Coria said. 

Using the inspiration and methodology of best-selling author, researcher and teacher Jim Collins, Beat the Odds is a rigorous, multiyear, school-improvement program based on research and six keys to success — a strong and steady principal, a clear bottom line, ongoing assessment, collaborative solutions, programs built on individual student needs, and commitment to Beat the Odds.

Marty Hoeffel from the Future of Arizona, a former Alhambra principal, presented the plaque, medal and banner to Coria and current Alhambra principal Karen Cardenas last month.

After the recognition, both Cardenas and Coria noted that much of the reason that the school has become a Gold School can be attributed to its students' access to GCU’s Learning Lounge and the University's help with dual enrollment and teacher professional development.

“It’s a big deal because it takes many years to get recognized as a Gold School," Cardenas said. "This began with Mr. Coria five years ago, and there has been a continued focus on student learning, professional development for teachers and strong leadership. It validates a journey beyond test scores.

“Because of GCU’s intervention, the local community has been filled with multiple opportunities to learn and get involved. This ongoing connection and presence matters.”

The Learning Lounge was developed in partnership with Alhambra in 2012 as part of GCU’s Strategic Educational Alliances Department and the University’s five-point plan to revitalize west Phoenix. The program provides free academic assistance and meals to students of any grade level and pairs them with GCU student mentors for one-on-one and small-group learning sessions.

Coria said GCU also has invested in local families by providing facilitators for parent ESL classes at the high school and by improving public safety in and around the neighborhood through the Neighborhood Safety Initiative. 

Dr. Tacy Ashby, vice president of Strategic Educational Alliances for GCU, said it has been “a privilege to work alongside Alhambra High School to serve and support their outstanding teachers and leaders as they, in turn, have worked tirelessly and intentionally to dramatically improve student achievement over the years.”   

Here is a quick glance at Alhambra’s progress:

Alhambra is one of nine schools and one of only two high schools to be named a Beat the Odds Gold School this year.

Contact Jeannette Cruz at (602) 639-6631 or [email protected].