A graphic with a quote from an Edge High School student that reads: “My experience at my previous school was pretty difficult because it was such a big school. Edge has been a lot better for me because of the environment and the one-on-one time you get with all the teachers.” 

What sets us apart from other high schools? A lot! Here are a few ways we’ve designed our tuition-free charter high school to deliver more than your average education. 

Small School Advantage

The average class size in Tucson area schools is 30 or more. At Edge, we keep our classes to 22 or fewer for a lot of reasons. 

  1. We like to get to know you. That’s easier in a small school where everyone knows your name. 
  2. We offer a high level of individualized support from certified teachers. Small classes = more help.

And each of our campuses remain intentionally small. Himmel Park has up to 170 students and our Northwest campus has up to 75 students. No one gets lost in a crowd here. 

Flexibility is our Middle Name

Gone are the days of the rigid, one-size-fits-all high school experience. Our approach to learning is flexible. If you are a working student, you’ll love our 4.5 hour day sessions. Choose from AM or PM to best suit your schedule. Our self-paced model allows you to move through the curriculum at your own speed, which is great if you are in need of credit recovery or want to cruise through courses on your way to graduation. For our students with diverse learning needs, we offer the choice between text and web-based curriculum. It’s all part of the package at Edge.

Wraparound Services

If meals, support and resources could be a warm hug, that’s what our wraparound services feel like. Where other schools are pressed to offer more than textbooks and desks, Edge High School provides a variety of services that support you both in and out of the classroom:  

  • Counseling ratio of 50 students to 1 counselor vs. 300 to 1 in traditional schools
  • Licensed, clinical social workers on staff
  • Free transportation to school, home and work for those who qualify
  • Connections to local organizations that help you with everything from mental health and positive relationships to internships and job skills.

Field Trips & Fun

We take having fun seriously. Built into our school year is a variety of field trips that get our students out into the community. Some of our field trips are educational, like visiting the University of Arizona Poetry Center, and some of our field trips are just for fun, like watching a local theater performance. All of our field trips are awesome! 

In partnership with local organizations, we offer some of the best electives around. Interested in the stage? We’ve got an Improv class with Live Theatre Workshop for you. Curious about our natural environment? We partner with University of Arizona’s Sky School to offer “Investigating the Ecology of the Sky Islands” to learn about astronomy, science and our earth. These are just a couple examples of our rotating, dynamic, and always free electives. 

Like other schools, we offer sports like basketball and volleyball, but unlike other schools, we also offer hiking, running and flag football. We’ve got an extensive list of clubs and activities that you can join to make a friend and find a new interest. What will you do at Edge? 

Skills for Life

We want to see you succeed in school and beyond. That’s why we equip our students with the skills to go out into the world and find success. One way we do this is through classes that help you build job and life skills, such as “Loving My Future” in partnership with Pima Prevention Partnership. Taught every Wednesday over 9 weeks, this student-favorite course covers healthy relationship skills and financial literacy that will help you make wise choices in your personal life. 

Exceptional Community

You won’t find a close-knit, caring community like ours anywhere else. Everyone deserves a place to connect and belong and our small schools will help you find your place. Our school culture is committed to rejecting stigma and fostering inclusivity for all learners. At Edge, you’ll find friends who value – and maybe even share – your unique personality and learning style!

Let’s start building your success! Enroll with Edge and get started today. Visit our enrollment page or contact us for more info. We’re here for you!

About Edge

EDGE is a Cognia accredited, tuition-free, charter high school, with two campuses in the greater Tucson area. We provide an alternative to traditional education, meeting the diverse learning and life needs of our students with our blended curriculum and flexible morning or afternoon class schedules. Our high-quality, passionate teachers are dedicated to individualized instruction in our small academic classes. Be you. With us. At Edge.