School Life

School Life

Community

This small school community is built around an inclusive environment of like-minded individuals. It is here that students find a safe, caring environment with their peers and the faculty. Grouped by academic ability rather than traditional age based grades, students are not constrained by traditional classroom structures. Frequent whole school activities create a sense of membership to our truly remarkable school for gifted students.

Teacher-Student Collegiality

At HYSA, the staff and students enjoy a deep, collegial relationship that facilitates a community of trust, care and support. The staff sees students as trusted contributors to the school; their viewpoints are valued at every level, from staff interviews to project design to improving the school. When students experience academic or social challenges, there is a tight safety net of adults who willingly step in to help students. On a day-to-day level, it is not unusual to see staff and students engaging in caring conversations throughout the school, bonding over the fish tank’s ecology, the latest “it” novel, or engineering challenges with the 3D printer. HYSA is a place where everyone does, indeed, know your name.

Advantages of Being on a University Campus

HYSA is located on ASU’s West campus. Being an integral part of the ASU community affords HYSA students incredible opportunities like working one-on-one as interns or research assistants with ASU professors and professionals; taking ASU classes for credit or as audits; utilizing ASU facilities including labs, fitness centers, classrooms, libraries, dining, and more; and participating in ASU events including games, lecture series, expositions, and many more. Experiential learning is an important part of HYSA’s curriculum, and as students on ASU’s campus, kids become acclimated to a college environment while in a safe atmosphere. Many HYSA students, upon graduation, are accepted to Barrett, the Honors College at ASU where they continue their education in an environment and at a rigor similar to their experience at HYSA.

Social Experiences

HYSA affords a broad range of whole school and small group social activities designed to allow students the opportunity to interact with like minded students while fostering the development of social and leadership skills, as well as lasting friendships. All activities are planned to encourage students to be risk takers, offering experiences in which they might not have had the opportunity to participate in previously. These activities include overnight trips to Camp Tontozona and Saguaro Lake Ranch Resort, attending the Barrett Ball, participating in Student Council, all school lock-ins, after school clubs, competitions and athletics.

Sports and Extracurricular Activities

High School Interscholastic Sports
High School Boys Soccer
High School Boys Basketball
High School Girls & Boys Swimming
High School Girls & Boys Cross-Country
High School Girls & Boys Chess
High School Girls & Boys Sand Volleyball
High School Girls & Boys E-Sports

Junior High School Interscholastic Sports
Junior High School Girls & Boys Cross-Country
Junior High School Girls & Boys Chess

Clubs

Interact(Rotary) - Rotary is a global network of 1.2 million neighbors, friends, leaders, and problem-solvers who see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change – across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves.

MarineBio - The oldest club at HYSA, you can learn how to take care of and manage our beloved Herberger fish tank.

International Thespian Society - Thespian Society is an international theatre/drama society that aims to encourage young students into the arts.

National Honor Society - The National Honor Society is a nationwide organization for high school students in the United States and outlying territories. Selection is based on four criteria: scholarship, leadership, service, and character.

QuizBowl - Quiz bowl is a quiz-based competition that tests players on a wide variety of academic subjects.

Ukulele - Students will learn how to play the ukulele. An instrument will be provided for you by HYSA and the club is taught by musical professor, Autumn Bourg.

Rubik’s Cube Competition
Spelling Bee
Math Science Field Day
American Mathematics Competitions
The Musical Interlude Series
National Shakespeare Competition
Poetry Out Loud
Forensics
Robotics
Jam Session
Student Government
Yearbook
Book Pals
Students Showcase(s)
Camp Tonto Creek Resort (overnight trip)
Saguaro Lake Ranch Resort (overnight trip)
Spirit Week & Field Day
Central AZ Festival of Theatre Competition
Sparky Slam
Barrett Ball
Bowling field trip
Honors Actors Lab and Outreach
Student Overnight Lock-Ins
ASU West Dodge Ball Tournament
Interact
The Gary K. Herberger Young Scholars Academy seeks and accepts students for admission without reference to race, color, religion, age, disability, national and ethnic origin, sexual orientation, or gender. Admissions and financial aid decisions are made independently.