Sky Islands High School

Business Details

18 Years

experience

Innovative Charter School in Tucson AZ

Sky Islands High School is a unique educational institution established in 2008, dedicated to nurturing the whole child through a student-centered approach that integrates arts, sciences, and environmental education. Our mission focuses on preparing students for real-world challenges by fostering critical thinking, creativity, and community engagement. With a curriculum aligned with Common Core and Arizona State Standards, we emphasize interdisciplinary learning, hands-on experiences, and sustainability. Our accredited program (WASC #69 42290 999) cultivates academic excellence while prioritizing personal growth, equity, and environmental stewardship.

Teachers build deep relationships with students, creating a supportive environment where individual passions and strengths are developed. Graduates emerge not only college-ready but equipped with the character and skills to thrive in a dynamic world, supported by a 35+ year collective teaching experience among staff. We maintain transparency through public financial reporting and community involvement in governance.

Services

Core Classes Environmental Sciences Visual Arts Culinary Arts Urban Horticulture

Details

Year established: 2008

Highlights and features

We offer WASC-accredited interdisciplinary education since 2008
Our curriculum integrates environmental science with core academics
Students engage in hands-on learning through horticulture and culinary programs
Small class sizes ensure personalized student-teacher relationships
Graduates consistently gain admission to top universities and vocational programs

Associations and certifications

Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)

What people say

Best teachers Community feel Changed my perspective Favorite subject now Welcoming environment

Website

Update Listing

Services

Core Classes

Our interdisciplinary core curriculum integrates math, science, social studies, and language arts through project-based learning. Students engage in critical thinking and collaborative problem-solving while meeting Common Core and Arizona State Standards. The program emphasizes real-world applications and cross-subject connections to develop well-rounded, college-ready graduates.

Environmental Sciences

This program combines classroom instruction with hands-on fieldwork in sustainability and ecology. Students study environmental systems, participate in conservation projects, and learn sustainable agricultural practices. The curriculum prepares students to address 21st-century ecological challenges through scientific understanding and practical application in our on-site gardens and community projects.

Culinary Arts

Our farm-to-table culinary program teaches cooking techniques, nutrition, and food systems using produce from our school gardens. Students learn kitchen operations, meal preparation, and sustainable food practices while contributing to the school's lunch program. The course emphasizes teamwork, practical skills, and understanding food's environmental impact.

Urban Horticulture

This hands-on program teaches sustainable gardening practices including seed propagation, irrigation, and organic farming. Students maintain school gardens, manage chicken coops, and apply ecological principles to urban agriculture. The program develops environmental stewardship while providing practical experience in sustainable food production.

Visual Arts

Our visual arts program offers instruction in drawing, painting, photography, and design principles. Students explore creative expression through traditional and digital media while developing technical skills and artistic critique abilities. The curriculum emphasizes personal growth, cultural awareness, and the role of art in social contexts.

People

Veronica Duran

Head of School

With nearly four decades in education, Veronica Duran leads Sky Islands as Head of School since 2023. Holding advanced degrees in counseling and education, she brings expertise in restorative practices, bilingual education, and curriculum development through her career as teacher, counselor, and administrator.

JoAnn Belvedere

Community Liaison

JoAnn Belvedere serves as Community Liaison with over 20 years of educational administration experience. Her background includes roles in school operations, student services, and community engagement across both public and private sectors, bringing a wealth of organizational and interpersonal expertise to Sky Islands.

Bryan Sargus

Math & Horticulture

Bryan Sargus teaches math and horticulture with a Master of Science in Education. With 20+ years teaching experience at institutions like University High School and BASIS Oro Valley, he combines mathematical rigor with practical agricultural knowledge, holding dual bachelor's degrees in biology and secondary education.

Zachary Carducci

Math & Physics

Zachary Carducci instructs in mathematics and physics with a BS in Physics and Master in Teaching. A BASIS Tucson North alumnus, he brings innovative teaching methods from his experience at Flandrau Science Center and UA Fusion Camps, integrating capoeira instruction with STEM education.

Andrea Taube

Humanities

Andrea Taube teaches humanities with a Master in Legal Studies specializing in human rights. Her teaching approach connects literature and arts to contemporary issues, fostering critical thinking and creative expression through interdisciplinary projects and student-centered learning environments.

Questions

What makes Sky Islands different from traditional high schools?

We offer an interdisciplinary, project-based curriculum integrating arts and environmental sciences with core academics, emphasizing community, sustainability, and hands-on learning in small class settings.

Is Sky Islands accredited?

Yes, we're accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) with accreditation number 69 42290 999, ensuring our program meets rigorous educational standards.

What special programs do you offer?

We provide unique programs in urban horticulture, culinary arts, environmental science, and visual/performing arts, alongside college preparatory core classes and community-based learning projects.

How does the school support college and career readiness?

Our program develops critical thinking, collaboration, and real-world problem-solving skills. Graduates successfully enter universities like University of Arizona, ASU, and vocational programs with strong personal and academic foundations.

Can students participate in extracurricular activities?

While we focus on academic programs, students engage in community projects, garden maintenance, culinary operations, and creative arts initiatives that provide experiential learning opportunities beyond traditional extracurriculars.

How do I schedule a campus tour?

Visit our website to submit your email, and we'll coordinate a personalized tour to experience our unique educational environment and facilities in Tucson, Arizona.

Reviews (4)

Write a Review

Ryan

Oct 06, 2018 Report

This is truly one of the best schools your will ever go to/ enroll your child into. The teachers are friendly and you get to know them as people, not just your teachers and they get to know you as well. You are your own person and at this school, whoever that person is really stands out. If you want to create a truly remarkable and unforgettable experience during your or your childs high school year/s, bring them here :)

Werbenjagermanjensen

Jan 31, 2018 Report

My daughter has always been an excellent student, and has always been on honor roll, AP, etc, but still felt that school was irrelevant to her life and was basically just going through the motions. Prior to her graduating middle school, we were looking at Basis, University High, etc., but found that those schools really weren't effective at preparing her for college, which requires much more than just being able to do hours of homework or rote standardized test-taking. We're SO glad we found Sky Islands- it is actually much more 'college prep' than the other college prep schools because it teaches

Growing The Future Today

Dec 12, 2015 Report

By far the best school in Tucson! Sky Islands is a truly unique and powerful educational environment, and its Director and Associate Director, along with all of the teachers and staff, are completely committed to the core values of the school and to each and every one of the students. The program is integrated, hands-on and experiential, and incorporates studies of the environment across the subject areas. The class sizes are small, and every student receives a lot of one-on-one attention. I've known the administrators and science teacher for all 7 years of the school so far and have seen the amazing

Evan Jerald

Dec 01, 2015 Report

I would not suggest attending Sky Islands to anyone. The co-director of the school, Sandi could care less about the students' and only has her position because she likes to be in control of people. Neither the director nor co-director represent the core values of the school, such as gardening and working in the environment, and you'll almost never find them outside of their office. The teachers are amazing, and the idea of the school is as well, but issues with the administration completely ruin the experience of the school.