Westwood High School

Demographics

Percentage of students*

Why Westwood High School was nominated

Westwood High School is working closely with Arizona State University to incorporate a teaming model in their school as part of a larger vision of the Next Generation Workforce. Westwood High School piloted ninth grade Academy Teams in fall of 2018 in an effort to support students in the transition to high school. The pilot team saw a decrease in discipline referrals, students reported a stronger sense of belonging, and educators indicated that the flexible schedule they developed afforded them the opportunity to dive more deeply into their content areas. Since that time Westwood High School has been working to spread and scale the teaming model to expand beyond the ninth grade in innovative ways including the combining of all geometry classes and incorporating personalized learning strategies and a mix of interdisciplinary courses and specialization pathways. Teams use flexible space and scheduling to facilitate a variety of teaching strategies that strengthen cross-curricular connections and allow for targeted small and large group instruction. , Westwood, a comprehensive high school of about 3300 students, is committed to delivering on the promise that every student in Mesa Public Schools is known by name, served by strength and need, and graduates ready for college, career and community. Using an interdisciplinary team-teaching model, the entire 9th grade class is served by teams of educators who share a common roster of students. As a result, they are able to dynamically group students and create flexible daily schedules as well as push in special education and counseling support to meet the needs of all students. The collaborative teams create interdisciplinary projects culminating in community showcases to share student’s innovative learning. Teams personalize the learning experience by incorporating voice and choice with multiple student options to engage and demonstrate their learning. The results yield visitors from all over the country to view the innovative work happening at the school. Westwood is extending teams in upper grades through career-based academies, and continuously innovates to better meet the needs of their students.

Student experience design

The learning environment at Westwood High School is designed to create an experience where students feel deeply connected, engaged, and supported in their academic journey. By structuring instruction around team-based staffing and flexible scheduling, students benefit from a more personalized approach to learning. Rather than navigating a disconnected series of classes with different teachers each hour, students remain with a consistent team of educators who collaborate to address their individual strengths and needs. This continuity fosters strong relationships between students and teachers, ensuring that every learner is known, valued, and supported. Without the constraints of bells and rigid schedules, students can engage in deeper learning experiences—whether that means extended discussions, hands-on projects, or dedicated time for intervention and enrichment based on their progress. Beyond academic growth, the environment is intentionally designed to build students’ confidence, self-efficacy, and real-world readiness. Through inquiry-based learning, project-based instruction, and collaboration with industry leaders, students tackle meaningful, authentic challenges that prepare them for life beyond high school. Whether conducting a multi-hour science experiment, working on a cross-curricular humanities project, or engaging in career-focused learning pathways, students experience education that is relevant and applicable to their futures. This approach cultivates not just academic achievement but also critical thinking, problem-solving, and collaboration—essential skills for success in college, careers, and community life.

Core Practices

Core Practices	Length of Use
Blended Learning	3-4 years
Early College High School	1-2 years
Grading Policies Focus On Mastery	1-2 years
Project-based Learning	5+ years

All Practices

Advancement On Mastery

AI For Learning Materials

AI For Teacher Productivity

AI-assisted Tutoring

Assessments For Career Readiness

Assessments For Deeper Learning

Community And Workforce Partnerships

Competency/mastery-based Education

Disaggregated Data On Student Participation

Flexible Staffing & Alternative Teaching Roles

Industry-recognized Credentials

Multi-tiered System Of Support (MTSS) In Academics

Performance Based Assessment

Students Access Their Own Data

Student-led Goal Setting

Students Develop Projects

Tutoring

Universal Design For Learning

key reasons for innovating