to two years. This consistency builds trust and a strong sense of belonging, while giving teachers a deeper understanding of each student over time. Instruction can adjust as students grow, rather than resetting every year. As students move into the upper grades, learning becomes more applied and connected to the world beyond school. In Middle School Academies for grades 5–8, students explore a range of real industries, like public safety, hospitality and tourism, financial services, digital technology, construction, and more. These experiences are designed to expose students to possibilities, help them practice real skills, and see how academics connect to real life. Work-based learning deepens alongside students throughout their time at the school. In the early grades, students build awareness by learning about different types of work through age-appropriate experiences that spark curiosity. In grades 3 and 4, they begin to explore career areas and interests more intentionally. By middle school, students are applying what they’ve learned through projects, simulations, and collaborative problem-solving. To bring this work to life, Principal Elizabeth Allison is building partnerships with local businesses and community organizations. These partners bring learning to life through mentorships, guest speakers, career simulations, and hands-on classroom experiences, helping students understand the many paths available to them as they look ahead.
Igniting Minds. Building Futures. Opening July 2026 in the Sorrento neighborhood
Our purpose At its core, Alma Farrell Innovation Academy is guided by a clear mission: to empower every child, foster a new generation of collaborative learners, and equip them with the skills and mindset to become productive contributors to their communities and the workforce of tomorrow. The vision is just as focused: Where learning today sparks leadership tomorrow — uniting confidence, innovation, and partnerships to open endless doors.
Enrollment information Alma Farrell Innovation Academy opens July 2026. Student registration begins in mid-February 2026, with priority open enrollment available now through January 9, 2026. Families interested in learning more are encouraged to visit musd20.org/afia. This new school represents more than a building. It reflects the needs of a growing community and honors Alma Farrell’s belief in a future as bright as the legacy she helped create.
INNOVATION ACADEMY Alma Farrell
S omething new is on the horizon in Maricopa, and it’s built with the future in mind. When Alma Farrell Innovation Academy opens in July 2026, it will welcome students in grades K–8 to a school designed around work-based learning that introduces careers early and becomes more hands-on in the middle grades. The school is named in honor of Alma Farrell, a longtime Maricopa Unified School District educator and former superintendent who helped guide the district during its early years of growth. At a time when few women served in superintendent roles, Farrell led with vision and confidence, seeing potential in both the school district and the growing city of Maricopa. She believed strong schools are built through partnership and worked alongside city and community leaders, including the Ak-Chin Community, whose influence in the region spans generations. Thousands of students
benefited from her leadership, and her mark on Maricopa remains clear today. Alma Farrell Innovation Academy carries forward her legacy of opportunity, collaboration, and belief in what a community and its children can become. Alma Farrell Innovation Academy will be led by Principal Elizabeth Allison, who brings a clear focus on preparing students not just for the next grade level, but for life beyond school. The approach is intentional, practical, and rooted in the belief that students learn best when they understand why their learning matters. Learning that connects to life From the start, Alma Farrell Innovation Academy connects learning to real life through work- based learning and a team-based teaching model. Students aren’t limited to a single teacher. Instead, they’re guided by teams of educators who work together, allowing learning
to be more flexible, more responsive, and better matched to each child as they grow. The goal is simple: help students discover their interests, build meaningful skills, and gain the confidence to take an active role in their own learning. That belief is reflected in how the school is designed and how students experience learning every day. Kindergarten students begin in the Kindergarten Discovery House, where teachers work closely together to support each student. Learning is hands-on and intentionally designed to build strong foundations in literacy and mathematics while strengthening skills as communicators, critical thinkers, and confident learners from day one. Starting in first grade, students move into multi-age learning houses, where they learn alongside students in two grade levels and stay with the same teachers and classmates for up
48 New Resident & Visitor Guide 2026 • InMaricopa.com/NewResidentGuide
InMaricopa.com/NewResidentGuide • New Resident & Visitor Guide 2026 49
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