Story and photos by Rita Thompson-Tinsley
The Arizona Agribusiness & Equine Center (AAEC) High School is a chartered school system for grades 9-12. As the name implies, there is an emphasis on agricultural and equine studies, programs, and clubs. AAEC is considered an early college high school with curriculums designed to satisfy high-school requirements while offering students the extraordinary opportunity to take college courses and receive credits. Additionally, the college tuition is actually paid by AAEC.
There are five Arizona Agribusiness & Equine Center schools beginning in 1997 with the opening of South Mountain in Phoenix. Next came Estrella Mountain, Paradise Valley, Prescott Valley, and finally Mesa.
I had the extreme pleasure of touring our local Prescott Valley AAEC school, located off of Skoog Boulevard near the City of Prescott Valley Civic Center. My tour guide, Monty Soto, is horsemanship director for three of the schools and develops curriculums. He also oversees their newly formed breeding program, assists in the selling and purchasing of horses, and coordinates horse transport to and from the schools with horse facilities.
Our first stop was at the office of long-time principal Patrick Wellert. I couldn’t help but notice how courteous and inclusive he was while dealing with approaching students. There’s such a positive and supportive mode that it’s unmistakable throughout the hallways and corridors of the establishment.
Monty showed me to the classrooms, which are accessible from the outdoor courtyard. There were the basic high-school classes you would expect, as well as specialized classes with hands-on opportunities. Instructor and FFA Advisor Kate Rousseau’s veterinary-science class was in session in a room with equine physiological posters and the like.
The Animal Science and Agri Science room is where I met instructor Rob Davis, who is also an FFA Advisor. He accompanied us outside to the student Landscaping Lab. This consists of the student garden, which is overflowing with vegetables and flowers blooming. There’s an adjacent greenhouse and a beautiful fruit tree orchard nearby.
Some of the harvested vegetables and fruit are donated to our local Yavapai County Food Bank, and students participate in the food bank’s annual food drive. Students at AAER are required to perform 30 hours of community service per year.
class insect specimen project
Instructor Davis believes that agriculture is part of the roots of this community. He told me that a school bee project will soon be unveiled, complete with all the equipment and knowledge the students need to handle bees. We met up with some of the AG students cheerfully conducting maintenance duty around the Landscaping Lab. This is truly an environment where enthusiasm lives.
The next tour stop was my favorite. The school stables and covered arena are a sight to behold. There are six horses, and the students were gathered around Dewey, the school’s gelding, who was being groomed and saddled by two classmates under instructed care. Hailey Porter is the horsemanship program instructor, and it’s obvious that her class is a favorite of many students. (It would have been mine.)
Aside from the pleasures and opportunities these students enjoy, achievement is an important factor as well. The Arizona Agribusiness & Equine Center High School of Prescott Valley was named a 2024 Blue Ribbon School for High Performance out of 356 schools in our nation. This coveted award was only received by six Arizona high schools.
In addition, and according to school advisor Rob Davis, the school’s Prescott Valley FFA chapter is one of the finest, reflecting extraordinary leadership qualities. Several of the school’s FFA students have proudly been selected to top leadership positions in the Arizona association of the National FFA Organization.
With such a successful venue, it’s not surprising to see the AAEC Early College model aspiring to new heights. According to Monty Soto, they have aspirations of opening a location in Show Low and plan to focus on new growth at existing schools. With an inspiring idea that became the Arizona Agribusiness & Equine Center High School, it’s clear that taking the reins into the future, the sky is the limit and there is no end-of-trail.
