Education

Students on the campus of Arizona Western College

Yuma area education has taken many large strides in the past few decades.  On top of being one of the fastest growing counties in Arizona, our residents have understood the need to build thorough education opportunities for the children, and for the adults looking to further their education. 

Yuma boasts nine school districts, serving about 38,000 children.  Once high school is completed, students can then join the work force or continue their education locally at Arizona Western College. 

Early childhood education is vital to the Yuma communities

In 2014, Yuma County voters approved a JTED (Joint Technical Education District) for our area, which was renamed  STEDY: Southwest Technical Education District of Yuma.  STEDY provides career and technical education (CTE) or “vocational” programs.  CTE is real-world job training and leadership development.  Whether students intend to join the work force immediately after high school or go to college, CTE teaches skill to prepare them for life after high school.  

These programs are for high school students at both public, private and charter schools, home-schooled, currently earning a GED or students under 22 years of age in Yuma County.  CTE classes are approved by the Arizona Board of Education, and can count for high school credit, college credit or industry certificates. 

As of 2016, STEDY offers 26 programs at seven local high schools: Antelope Union High School, Cibola High School, Gila Ridge High School, Kofa High School, San Luis High School, Vista High School and Yuma High School.  

Science and other education expos expand our youths' learning experience.

These programs include: Agribusiness Systems, Automotive Technologies, Computer Maintenance, Construction Technologies, Digital Photography, Early Childhood Development, Fire Science, Nursing Services, Welding Technologies and many, many more! Arizona Western College offers nine programs, including: Accounting, Cyber Criminology, Drafting, Solar Panel Installation and much more!

Arizona Western College has been assisting Yuma County residents in furthering education since the 1960s.  Today, AWC is a thriving campus where students can earn industry certifications and Associate Degrees through the college.  In addition, AWC graduates can earn their Bachelor Degrees through Northern Arizona University- Yuma Branch Campus, or the University of Phoenix.  In addition to these two, January 2016 saw the advent of Arizona State University classes and programs at AWC.

Yuma County residents can earn almost any degree without having to move far from home.