North Pointe Preparatory is a public charter school located in Phoenix

Phoenix, Arizona

Phoenix is the capital, and largest city, of the U.S. state of Arizona, as well as the sixth most populated city in the United States. Phoenix is home to 1,445,632 people according to the official 2010 U.S. Census Bureau data...

, Arizona

Arizona

Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...

 that serves students in grades 7

Seventh grade

Seventh grade is a year of education in the United States and many other nations. The seventh grade is the seventh school year after kindergarten. Students are usually 12–13 years old. Traditionally, seventh grade was the next-to-last year of elementary school...

 through 12

Twelfth grade

Twelfth grade or Senior year, or Grade Twelve, are the North American names for the final year of secondary school. In most countries students then graduate at age 17 or 18. In some countries, there is a thirteenth grade, while other countries do not have a 12th grade/year at all...

.

History

North Pointe Preparatory was established in August 2001, with 130 students in grades 7 through 9. In eight years, it has grown to its current maximum enrollment of 750 students in grades 7 through 12. The school was founded by four families who wanted a high school that would support parents as they built character and leadership qualities in their teens, provide an excellent education, and be financially accessible to everyone. The Pointe Schools system also contains two elementary schools, Canyon Pointe Academy and Pinnacle Pointe Academy, both opened in 2002.

Academics

North Pointe Preparatory focuses on the 3 As: Academics, Arts, and Athletics. It provides secondary education for students who intend to pursue a college education. North Pointe offers dual enrollment and advanced placement classes, which give students an opportunity to earn college credit while still in high school. North Pointe is one of only six public schools in Arizona accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools

North Central Association of Colleges and Schools

The North Central Association of Colleges and Schools , also known as the North Central Association, is a membership organization, consisting of colleges, universities, and schools in 19 U.S. states, that is engaged in educational accreditation...

 as a college preparatory school.

Arts

North Pointe has a number of arts programs, including a theater department that produces five plays a year, a marching band, and several choirs. The school hosts fall and spring arts festivals, week-long celebrations of all the arts, that are held on campus each semester.
North Pointe's speech team competes in the Arizona Interscholastic Association

Arizona Interscholastic Association

The Arizona Interscholastic Association is the major high school sports association in the state of Arizona. It comprises most of the state's public district high schools, various charter and private schools, plus one high school in California San Pasqual High School in Winterhaven, California,...

's 1A-3A division and captured second place overall at the state tourney in 2010 and 2011. Additionally, North Pointe's chess team placed sixth at the 1A-5A state team championships for the 2010 season.

Athletics

The competitive cheer team at North Pointe competes within the 1A-3A region of the Arizona Interscholastic Association

Arizona Interscholastic Association

The Arizona Interscholastic Association is the major high school sports association in the state of Arizona. It comprises most of the state's public district high schools, various charter and private schools, plus one high school in California San Pasqual High School in Winterhaven, California,...

. They are currently the four-time defending state champions, capturing the title from 2008-2011. They have also won several Universal Cheerleaders Association events in the last two years, including the 2009 West Coast Championship in the small coed division.

Community service

North Pointe's emphasis on community service is exemplified by its program, Prep Cares. In the fall, the school has collaborated with US Vets to create a float for the Phoenix Veterans Day Parade, in addition to running several other events honoring members of the armed forces. North Pointe also has a food drive every winter and helps stock boxes at local food banks. In the spring, Prep Cares focuses on providing mentoring for younger students, as well as working with the American Diabetes Association

American Diabetes Association

The American Diabetes Association is a United States-based association working to fight the consequences of diabetes, and to help those affected by diabetes...

to help bring awareness to the cause of children's diabetes.