Frequently Asked Questions

School hours are 7:25 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Parents and students are responsible for school attendance. If your child must be absent, we ask you to call our school at 623-478-4610 or 623-478-4674 to report your child’s absence. Please let us know why your child is missing school, so we are able to determine if it will be an excused or unexcused absence.

Yes, we do. We’re proud to offer a wonderful nutrition services department at our district office. Be sure to visit their webpage for a host of information about our school lunch program, online meal payments, menus, pricing, and much more.

For notification letters regarding meal benefits, please contact Kimberly Luvisi.

Breakfast is available for $1.50 and lunch for $2.25. The meals offer a healthy and nutritionally sound variety of food selections to choose from daily. Free and reduced cost lunches are available on the district Web page.

We want school to be a fun, educational, and safe place for all students. If your child is having difficulty at school, whether with other students or with concepts we are teaching, please contact your child’s teacher, and let him or her know. We are always happy to schedule a meeting with you as well. Taking care of an issue early helps ensure your child has a positive school experience.

We know almost all teens have cell phones, but we ask that students turn them (and all other electronic devices*) off and place them out of sight from the time the first bell rings at 7:25 a.m. until school dismisses at 2:05 p.m. If we see these devices or they become a problem in the classroom, we will confiscate the items.

*We consider an electronic device to be any device that is capable of emitting an audible signal, vibrates, displays a message, or otherwise summons, or delivers a communication to the possessor.

West-MEC (Western Maricopa Education Center) is a public high school district focused solely on innovative Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs, which empower students to enter the workforce and pursue lifelong learning.

CTE programs combine academic and career skill development and provide students with college credits, internship opportunities, and industry certifications.

West-MEC supports 24,000 students enrolled in CTE programs at career-education facilities and on the campuses of 40 high schools in 12 member school districts throughout the northern and western regions of Maricopa County.

West-MEC will substantially increase CTE opportunities and curriculum at each school within the Tolleson Union High School District. We will upgrade current courses, add new classes, and enhance our facilities. West-MEC will help TUHSD teachers train our students to pursue higher education opportunities and/or enter the workforce. West-MEC has demonstrated community support for increased job training opportunities for all students.

If West-MEC is approved, it will mean an additional $750,000 (approximately) a year will benefit TUHSD schools and the CTE programs that are already operating on each of our campuses. This amount of funding is based on the 2,200 students who are presently taking CTE classes at our schools.

West-MEC will provide:

• TUHSD students an opportunity to participate in eight central programs including automotive technology, aviation technology, cosmetology, and EMT and fire science.
• Potential future programs that might include pharmacy tech, aerospace engineering, veterinary technology, surgical tech, and air traffic controller.
• Teachers the opportunity to participate in professional development classes that will enhance their delivery of instruction.
• TUHSD schools the ability to create Career Centers where students will receive career counseling and guidance.

If TUHSD voters approve the District joining West-MEC, it will cost homeowners $5.00 a year on a home with a full-cash value of $100,000.

Currently, there are over 2,200 TUHSD students enrolled in CTE classes throughout the district. The majority of students take CTE classes on their home campus, but there are several students who are participating in CTE programs (cosmetology and auto technology) at central locations.

The Tolleson Union High School District currently offers the following classes:

• Culinary Arts
• Marketing
• Carpentry
• Sports Medicine
• Early Childhood
• Electronics
• Business Operations
• Bioscienc
• Finance
• Fashion
• Drafting
• Welding
• Auto Tech
• IT Programming

CTE is an instructional delivery system that gives students a well-rounded learning experience. CTE focuses on classroom and interactive laboratory instruction. Students also participate in personal and leadership development through Career and Technical Student Organizations (CTSOs). The CTE Program Delivery Model is comprised of four components:

• Classroom Instruction
• Hands-On Instruction
• Career-Based Experience
• Leadership Development

• 92% of students who completed a CTE program passed AIMS Math as compared to a passing rate of 70% for all other students.
• 95% of students who completed a CTE program passed AIMS Reading as compared to a passing rate of 75% for all other students.
• 96% of students who completed a CTE program passed AIMS Writing as compared to a passing rate of 72% for all other students.
• 99% of students who completed a CTE program graduated on time as compared to 76% for all other students.

• Of the 30 jobs projected to grow at the fastest rate over the next decade in the United States, only seven require a bachelor’s degree.
• Students who take at least three CTE courses during high school earn on average $2,500 more per year than other students.
• Many CTE programs enable students to earn industry validated certifications.

Our district does provide transportation for students. However, this is contingent upon each student’s good behavior and his or her ability to follow the established bus rules. It is also important to note that we only allow students to ride the bus if they have their ID cards with them. If your child does not have his/her picture student ID, we will not allow him/her to ride the bus. If you have further questions, please call our transportation department at 623-478-4100.