YouthWorks is a letter grade "A" school as designated
​by the Arizona State Board of Education

* A Welcome Letter from the new Principal *

About Us


A program of Tucson Youth Development, YouthWorks is an open-entry/exit Charter High School located at 1915 E. 36th Street in Tucson, AZ and has the capacity to serve 75 students, grades 9-12, ages 14 to 21 years. 

YouthWorks provides an alternative educational environment that allows for self-paced, independent learning that meets Arizona State Standards in the core content areas of Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies. The learning objective for each student is to help them master curricular content and be prepared for success in post-secondary education and/or work following graduation.

YouthWorks provides educational services to a targeted population including, but not limited, to:
  • 5th-year seniors no longer enrolled in school
  • 4th-year seniors no longer enrolled in school
  • Current seniors with insufficient credits to graduate
  • Students identified as at-risk due to poor attendance
  • Students identified as at-risk due to poor school performance
  • Students meeting other pre-determined profiles for an alternative education program
  • Students involved or previously involved in the Juvenile Justice System
  • Students who have dropped out of school and want to return
  • Parenting youth

Accredited by AdvancED, YouthWorks implements a "blended learning" model that integrates technology and computerized curriculum with direct instruction and project-based learning.  YouthWorks has year-round, open enrollment. Students enjoy a 1/15 teacher/student ratio. YouthWorks provides that which is essential for the success of each student. This may include more personalized attention from the faculty; extra tutorials in math; a part-time job to earn funds needed to sustain one's household; an opportunity to express innate leadership skills and/or accelerated rate of learning. YouthWorks enables its students to stay in school and insures that students are academically ready for post-secondary training or advanced degrees. 

In addition, to the flexible, computer-based, learning communities, YouthWorks staff members are enthusiastic environmentalists -- hosting science, project-based, learning experiences for their students by utilizing water harvesting and composting, as well as the cultivation of a community garden from which students and area families can harvest fresh vegetables.  This garden has been sustained for over 23 years. 

Extracurricular activities include a school basketball and volleyball team and various fine arts activities! 

History


Established in 1993, YouthWorks began providing services to adjudicated, at-risk and developmentally disabled youth and young adults in the Pueblo Gardens Community in Tucson, Arizona.  These youth were provided with work experience programs and services to increase their job readiness skills in preparation to enter the workforce.  A few years later, YouthWorks changed its direction and began collaboration with Tucson Unified School District to provide an educational component for the at-risk population already being served by YouthWorks.  Fifteen years later in 2008, YouthWorks Charter High School merged with Tucson Youth Development to increase service delivery and resources to at-risk students in the Pueblo Gardens Community.  
View current employment opportunities and join our team!​​
Raised-bed Student Garden at YouthWorks and male student
YouthWorks Student Gardens
Raised-Bed Student Gardens at YouthWorks and female student holding a carrot harvest
Student Gardens carrot harvest
Tucson Youth Development Schools' Volleyball Team 2018
2018 Volleyball Team
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