Staff Reports | Community Updates
Chaparral High School’s Criminal Justice Career and Technical Education program has been selected as a partner school for the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office High School Mentorship Program.
The partnership marks a milestone for Scottsdale Unified School District. Each year, the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office selects two high schools to participate in the program. Chaparral earned its place following a competitive selection process that included faculty interviews and an on-site review of the school’s program.
The Maricopa County Attorney’s Office serves Maricopa County with a staff that includes attorneys, investigators and victim advocates. Through the partnership, legal professionals will visit Chaparral classrooms monthly to share insights into careers in the justice system and discuss their professional experiences, according to a press release.
Students will receive mentorship from prosecutors, investigators and victim advocates while learning about career paths in criminal justice. The program also includes opportunities to shadow prosecuting attorneys and judges, as well as interact with a Superior Court judge in a courtroom setting.
The partnership is intended to provide students with firsthand exposure to the legal profession and help connect classroom instruction with career opportunities in the criminal justice field.
The selection is the latest recognition for Scottsdale Unified School District’s Criminal Justice Career and Technical Education program, which offers dual-enrollment opportunities, industry certifications and participation in SkillsUSA competitions. The program also has recorded strong results on Arizona’s Technical Skills Assessment, according to a press release.
