This August, Mesa Public Schools will enroll the first freshman class at its new Health Science High School.

School officials are working to transform what is currently East Valley Academy into a training site for students interested in the field of healthcare.

Establishing Health Science High School is a response to the large demand for medical workers, Paul Wright, development director for Mesa Public Schools, told Arizona Republic. Wright identified a particular need for workers that support doctors, such as nurses or medical techncians.

The school plans to partner with East Valley Institute of Technology (EVIT), which is currently building a $12 million, 60,000 square foot building that will be used to train students pursuing careers in healthcare.

EVIT facilities available to the high school will include 11 classrooms, a lecture hall, and an operating room for use by students training to become surgical technicians.

Students attending Health Science High School will take core academic classes, splitting time between the high school campus and EVIT starting in 10th grade. During their senior year, students will also conduct clinical work off campus. 

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More information

"E. Valley to get Health Science High," Arizona Republic, 01/04/2007