CORE PROGRAMS

Academy – 8th Grade 

  • Implemented in specific districts/schools

  • Preparation for high school transition and AGUILA Institute

  • Offered within school one day per month (currently 2 virtual sessions per month) September thru April

Institute – 9th – 12th Grade

  • Attend half-day sessions on college campuses one Saturday per month (currently 2 half-day sessions virtually)

  • August thru May

Alumni – College & Graduates

  • Special Topic Seminars and Mixers

PROGRAM ENHANCEMENTS

AGUILA Storytime: 

Provides learning opportunities for children ages 2-8 with virtual readings by AGUILA High School Volunteers.

AGUILA AIM (Aspiration, Inspiration, Motivation): 

A one-day conference for 8th & 9th graders focused on leadership and preparation for high school success.

AGUILA Pathways: 

Special sessions for Institute participants offering specific areas of study in Law; Health; Humanities; STEM and Business/Entrepreneurship.

AGUILA College Conversations: 

An exclusive opportunity for AGUILA high school students to meet personally with college representatives via virtual tours and personalized sessions. 

AGUILA Leadership Summit: 

A one-day Leadership Summit for Institute participants designed to inspire, strengthen and develop leadership skills as future stewards of our communities.

AGUILA Oral History Project:

Guided by college professors, students conduct research of their family history, traditions and values. Students discover “Where they come in order to know where they are going” while increasing skills in research, writing, creativity, and oral presentation. 

AGUILA College Fair: 

An exclusive event for AGUILA Academy and Institute students provided by current AGUILA college students and graduates.

SOS (Scholarship Overnight Search): 

An AGUILA Signature event featuring a weekend experience designed specifically for Seniors applying for scholarships held in the Fall of each year.

SOS 2.0 (Scholarship Overnight Search): 

Each Spring SOS 2.0 continues the scholarship search for Seniors that also includes SAT/ACT, Personal Statement, Resume and Scholarship Essay sessions for Juniors.

AGUILA Circle Tour: 

An AGUILA Exclusive 5-day tour of 10 college/university campuses in Arizona, Colorado and New Mexico.

AGUILA Honors Convocation: 

Celebrating HS Seniors leaving to college and college graduates receiving Associate, Bachelor, Masters, Law, and Medical degrees.

Summer Symposium: 

A one of a kind and exclusive 3-night/4-day leadership event designed to prepare, inspire and motivate rising 11th & 12th grade AGUILA students.

AGUILA PATHWAYS:

PRE-LAW- Professor Charles Calleros, Marcos Tapia, Kassandra Garcia

We are in our 4th year of our Pre-Law Program and leave it to our Legal Eagles to prepare their program as they prepare and motivate our students who have an interest in law.

Pre-Health - Dr. Mandy Oliden

We are in our 3rd year of the Pre-Health Program and our guide, Dr. Oliden, leads a team of health experts to guide our students in pursuit of health-related majors and careers.

Business/Entrepreneurship - John Ojeda, Dr. Emily Schwartz, Leonard Rivera

STEM - Eric Rodriguez, Ben Acosta, Zamantha Lopez, Maria Reyes

Ben Acosta has served as faculty in training engineers re: nuclear power with APS; Zamantha Lopez is an AGUILA Alum and Board Member and is an engineer at SRP; Maria Reyes is a Civil Engineer and specializes in creating STEM related areas of study as VP of Phoenix College.

Humanities - Brenda Thomson, Tony Fusco, Dr. Paul Ortiz

Brenda Thomson is CEO of Arizona Humanities and an AGUILA Partner with great opportunities to explore areas of study in the Humanities; Tony Fusco with the Arizona Jewish Historical Society brings history, speakers and presenters that contribute to our student's knowledge of history and more. Dr. Paul Ortiz is a historian at the University of Florida and can provide direction for the AGUILA Oral History Project.

PROVEN RESULTS

Participation in AGUILA has proven results in:

  • Mastery in areas of writing and critical thinking

  • Increased overall student scores on standardized tests

  • Greater knowledge of educational opportunities both in study and institutions

  • Increased college applications, admission, persistence and graduation rates Increased scholarship awards 

  • Improved sense of self and academic potential leading to greater college success

  • Increased admissions to post-graduate programs to include Masters, PhD, Medical and Law School

  • Increasing number of current AGUILA students and Alumni who contribute in their communities through service as volunteers at non-profits, elementary school boards, political and social justice campaigns, and/or specific work in areas that serve the greater good