Programs
Welcome to Alma Farrell Innovation Academy! We are looking forward to igniting minds and building futures!
Our Innovative Curriculum
Each of our academies offers four industry-relevant electives per year. These courses are one semester long, allowing students to rotate through a total of eight specialized experiences over their two years in the academy. To ensure a well-rounded education, all students are required to participate in at least one industry-relevant elective per year.
Customizing Your Student's Schedule
Families may choose to opt out of one industry-relevant elective per semester to make room for a full-year alternative elective. Because our industry rotations are designed to ensure every student gains exposure to all fields, families cannot select which specific industry elective is swapped out.
Core Course Selection
In addition to our unique industry pathways, students and families can elect for their students to follow a traditional instructional pathway or an accelerated instructional pathway. Students electing to follow the accelerated pathway will be placed in all accelerated core courses (ELA, Math, Science, and Social Studies).
Instrumental Music (Band & Orchestra)
If your student wishes to join Band or Orchestra, please note that a signature is required to acknowledge the financial commitment involved or parent must complete the online digital form below. We believe every student should have the chance to play; if the rental fees present a challenge for your family, please let us know. We offer assistance and discounted rental rates to ensure all students can participate.
Submission Guidelines: Please complete the appropriate elective selection form below with your student to confirm your joint selections.
- Deadline: Please return all course selections by February 20, 2026
- Availability: Place is based on request volume and staffing. While we strive to give every student their first choice, it is not always guaranteed.
- Important Note: Forms must be returned to participate in the selection process. Students who do not return a form will be automatically enrolled in the standard industry-relevant rotation, and no changes can be made once the school year begins.
Thank you for being a partner in your child's education!
Community Action, Responsibility and Environment (CARE) Academy
In the CARE Academy, we empower 5th–6th grade students to become compassionate leaders and responsible stewards of their communities and environment. Rooted in Arizona State Standards across all core subjects, our interdisciplinary approach blends rigorous academics with real-world relevance, preparing students to thrive as thoughtful problem-solvers and service-oriented citizens.
The CARE Academy integrates three instructional pillars—Community Wellness, Public Safety & Emergency Prepareness, and Natural Resources & Sustainability—into a cohesive learning experience. Through hands-on projects, inquiry-based exploration, and leadership development, students engage in meaningful study that connects science, civics, and ethics to industry-aligned practices.
Innovation, Design, Engineering and Art (IDEA) Academy
IDEA Academy offers 7th–8th grade students a dynamic, future-focused learning experience that blends imagination with execution. Rooted in Arizona State Standards across all core subjects—English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies—our instructional model ensures academic rigor while connecting students to industry-relevant practices in design, engineering, and applied arts.
IDEA Academy is built around the full cycle of innovation: from initial concept to final creation. Students engage in project-based learning that integrates Arts, Media, and Digital Communication with Engineering, Manufacturing, and Applied Design, allowing them to explore both the creative and technical dimensions of production.
