When Patagonia Union High School (PUHS) switched to a block schedule and added a leadership program this year, it forced the administration to get creative with how they taught elective subjects. Patagonia is not alone in this challenge. With dwindling state support, a teacher shortage and a remote location, rural schools all over Arizona are being forced to rethink what electives they can offer their students.
Rachell Hochheim, Superintendent of Patagonia Public Schools, stated, “We wanted to offer the students a richer variety of electives beyond the standard art, music and physical education. We are fortunate to live in a small town that has a sizable community of artists, musicians and well educated experts in a number of subjects.”
The elementary and high school districts have partnered with the Patagonia Center for Creative Arts to take over the art program. In addition to providing the students with a variety of projects, the Art Center director Cassina Farley recruits working artists from the community to share their talents with the students. Local artist and musician Zach Farley teaches music to Kindergarten – 6th grade students on Friday and has a class of middle and high school students on Thursday morning.
Michael Young, Behavior Interventionist, said, “In addition to weight training and PE, this year we added yoga for both the elementary and high school students. We also brought in Tempest Smith to teach Mindfulness to both schools.”
During the first quarter, Harold Meckler taught a class on Critical Issues. In this class the high school students learned about, discussed and debated hot topics such as climate change, gun violence and immigration issues.
This quarter, Meckler is teaching astronomy. He has taken the students to the Whiner Observatory in Sonoita, the Whipple Observatory, The Flandrau Planetarium at the University of Arizona and hosted one night sky class for the students. A Star Party is planned for the whole community in February. Meckler states, “The purpose of the class is to introduce the students to subject of astronomy and to hopefully nurture an appreciation for the beauty of the night skies that we are able to enjoy year around. I want to give the students something that is free and available in their own backyard that makes them say ‘Wow’.”
PUHS also offers Chess as an elective and, as a result, the chess team has had a winning season with several students taking home “Best Upset” trophies for outplaying a higher ranked opponent and winning their matches. The team has had the opportunity to participate in competitions all over the state.
Junior and seniors also have an opportunity to take Pima Community College dual credit courses during the first period. This year, PUHS is offering the U.S. History prerequisites, English 101 and 102 and an Early Childhood Development class. Dual Credit classes are available to juniors and seniors who pass the entrance exam.
Hochheim continued, “We plan to have all sophomore, junior and senior students take the placement exam each year and encourage them to take as many dual credit classes that we can offer. We had several students who didn’t think that college was within their grasp pass the exam, take the dual credit class and rethink their plans for after high school. We can now help our students expand their opportunities.”