The School Next Door

The East Valley Tribune has an article today telling us the longterm plan for the Technology and Leadership Academy, located just to the west of Higley Groves West:

The Gilbert Unified School District governing board unanimously approved a classical-style school Tuesday night.

The seventh- through 12th-grade academy — the district’s newest magnet school — will eventually replace the Technology and Leadership Academy, an aviation-focused high school that is being phased out due to stagnant student enrollment. The new school will open in August 2007.

The school will focus on developing critical thinking skills, and will require courses in logic, rhetoric, philosophy, debate and Latin. Seniors will also be required to complete a thesis and community service before graduation.

The 350-student school will also be included in 1A athletics — the state’s smallest athletic division. The remainder of Gilbert’s high schools participate in 5A — the state’s largest.

Over the next year, school officials will work to develop admissions and graduation requirements, curriculum, incorporation of technology, school uniforms, and a name.

“There are a lot of things that we will still need to pursue,” said Gilbert Superintendent Brad Barrett.

So that's the plan, anyway. I don't really know that much about magnet schools, but I do have friends who are avid supporters of classical curriculum. I always enjoy watching the Technology and Leadership students marching in formation along the canal bank. I don't suppose the new students will be gathered there to practice their Socratic oration...