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CANYON CORRIDOR CONNECTION 2016 | 17
Educat ion
Alhambra High School
Transition and Honors!
Alhambra High School
Technology and innovation are not only
changing our daily lives but also changing
the job force landscape. Alhambra High
School is working to prepare their students
for the future by expanding their STEM
(Science, Technology, Engineering, Math)
offerings.
Alhambra HS is a Chief Science Officer
(CSO) school where students are elected
to a leadership position to represent
their school by their peers. They are
then responsible for promoting STEM
opportunities at their school and
throughout their community and advocate
for greater STEM education for all students.
Not only do these students work in their
school and community but are stepping up
into the national spotlight. In May 2016
Mann Lane,Alhambra STEM Coordinator,
CSO America (Alhambra Sophomore),
and Amanda Hughens, GCU K-12 STEM
Outreach Manager will be traveling to
Washington DC to meet with the White
House Office of Science and Technology
Policies and with Arizona Congressmen
and Representatives on Capitol Hill.
This summer CSOs from Alhambra and
throughout Arizona will attend a STEM
Leadership Institute which will be held
at GCU in July. Training, events, and
opportunities for CSO students will
continue throughout the 2016/2017 school
year.
Alhambra High School will be a MESA
(Math, Engineering, Science Achievement)
program school starting in 2016/2017.
MESA is a program designed to increase
access to STEM pathways and encourage
college readiness. MESA teaches and
reinforces the science and engineering
design principles throughout the school
year culminating with a series of challenges
where students must design a solution.
Alhambra HS Working to Prepare
Their Students for the Future
After 5 years of dedicated leadership, former
principal of Alhambra HS, Claudio Coria took on
the role as Director of Leadership for the
Phoenix Union HS District and reports directly
to Dr. Chad Gestson, PUHSD Superintendent.
During his time at Alhambra, Alhambra HS has
had 11 teachers receive National Board
Certification, gone from a D to B rating and
developed partnerships within the community.
This includes our wonderful partnership with
Grand Canyon University. In this new role, Mr.
Coria will be mentoring and overseeing the work
and development of Principals within the
Phoenix Union HS District. To his surprise,
Claudio was elected by his peers and presented
with the Administrator of the Year Award at the
PUSHD Annual Convocation. Due to
Alhambra’s growing partnership with GCU,
Alhambra received the Partnership Award at the
PUSHD Annual Convocation.
Claudio Coria
Director of Leadership
Phoenix Union High
School District
4502 N. Central Ave.
Phoenix, AZ 85012
Phone: 602-764-1100
Karen Cardenas
Principal
Karen Cardenas, Principal
Alhambra High School
602-764-6022
Filling the role as Principal for the 2016-17
school year is Karen Cardenas. She has been an
assistant Principal for Instruction for 2 years at
Alhambra HS following 6 years as an assistant
principal in the Pendergast Elementary District.
She has dedicated her career and life to the
service of others and will continue to build and
sustain relationships with Alhambra HS students
to ensure their success.
Welcome to the 2016-17 school year! I am excited
to continue Alhambra High School’s culture of
excellence in my new role as the principal; I
humbly thank each of you for the warm welcome.
It is because of your dedication and that of
the community that Alhambra is on its way to
becoming the premier high school in the west
valley. This year, we will innovate and celebrate
through a focus on learning, positive connections,
and collaboration.
- Principal Karen Cardenas