Valley Academy for Career and Technology Education (79397)

Located along East State Route 89A in Cottonwood, Arizona, the Valley Academy for Career and Technology Education (VACTE) operates as a specialized public vocational and career-technical district serving high school students in grades 9 through 12. Set within a distant town environment in the broader Prescott Valley region, this open, non-charter district partners with area high schools and oversees seven operational sites to deliver hands-on, career-oriented learning opportunities. Designed to bridge traditional secondary education with practical workforce development, VACTE offers targeted pathways that empower local students to acquire industry credentials, practical skills, and postsecondary readiness alongside their standard high school diplomas.

During the 2024–2025 school year, direct district enrollment focuses on high school upperclassmen in 11th and 12th grades, maintaining an intimate instructional environment supported by a robust professional team. The district employs approximately 9.5 full-time equivalent teachers alongside nearly five dedicated support staff members, ensuring low student-to-educator ratios and highly personalized instruction in technical disciplines. Representing a diverse community of learners, the district's direct student body includes a significant proportion of Hispanic and White students, with strong female representation across its upper-grade CTE programs. Families, prospective students, and education researchers interested in exploring VACTE’s course offerings and career pathways can visit the district headquarters at 3405 E. State Route 89A (Building B) in Cottonwood, reach administrative staff at (928) 634-7131, or access detailed program information online at vacte.com.