Verrado High School

The master-planned community of Verrado was initially built upon land owned by the construction company Caterpillar. In the mid-1990s, Caterpillar partnered with developer DMB Associates to develop a new town. Plans for a high school in the Verrado area were envisioned as early as 2002.{{cite magazine |author=Urban Land Institute |date=2002 |title=Volume 61 |magazine=Urban Land |volume=61 |publisher=University of Virginia}} Construction of the first homes was completed in 2004; DMB's plans for the community included a high school. DMB incorporated elements of New Urbanism, an urban design movement that arose in the early 1980s, into their plans, including the school.{{cite book |last=Byrne |first=John |date=September 8, 2017 |title=Green Energy Economies: The Search for Clean and Renewable Energy |location=Oxfordshire |publisher=Taylor & Francis |isbn=9781351516679}} In October 2004, Orcutt/Winslow Partnership was selected to design the school's campus.{{cite news |date=October 2004 |title=Firm to Design New Agua Fria High |work=Southwest Contractor}}

Construction on the school's campus began in 2005{{cite web |url=https://yourvalley.net/stories/canyon-view-high-school-may-soon-be-incorporated-into-buckeye,302337 |title=Canyon View High School may soon be incorporated into Buckeye |date=May 11, 2022 |last=Salazar |first=Madeline |work=The Daily Independent |access-date=November 7, 2022}} and concluded in April 2006. Tom Huffman, a former assistant principal in the Paradise Valley Unified School District, was selected to serve as the school's first principal in July 2005.{{cite news |last=Carr |first=Kelly |date=July 15, 2005 |title=Agua Fria names new principal: PV administrator to head Verrado's first new high school|page=Sun Cities/Surprise 12|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112977579/agua-fria-names-new-principal/|work=The Arizona Republic |location=Phoenix}} The authorization of a $35.6 million bond in November 2005{{cite news |last=Carr |first=Kelly |date=November 2, 2005 |title=Bond, override votes approach: Tuesday is decision day in school districts around SW Valley|page=Southwest Valley 10|via=Newspapers.com|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112976796/bond-override-votes-approach/ |work=The Arizona Republic |location=Phoenix}} helped fund the construction of a football stadium, baseball and softball fields, tennis courts, and a gymnasium.

Verrado High School opened in August 2006,{{cite web |url=https://www.azdeq.gov/verrado-high-school |title=Verrado High School |work=Arizona Department of Environmental Quality |access-date=November 7, 2022}}{{cite news |last=Carr |first=Kelly |date=November 25, 2005 |title=Principal eager as his school rises: Verrado will feature new learning concept|page=Southwest Valley 16|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112976920/principal-eager-as-his-school-rises/|via=Newspapers.com|work=The Arizona Republic |location=Phoenix}} to an inaugural class of 264.{{cite web |url=https://www.verrado.com/verrado-news/verrado-high-schools-founding-alumni-now/ |title=Verrado High School's Founding Alumni – Where Are They Now? |date=May 22, 2014 |website=verrado.com |access-date=November 7, 2022}} It is under the jurisdiction of the Agua Fria Union High School District (AFUHSD).{{cite web |url=https://www.aguafria.org/domain/129 |title=School Description |access-date=November 9, 2022 |work=Agua Fria Union High School District}} In November 2006, the AFUHSD initiated a vote on a capital outlay budget override. The override would add $3.6 million over the course of seven years to buy new technology.{{cite news |last=Lombardo |first=Tony |date=October 25, 2006 |title=10 school districts ask for help: Bonds, overrides sought to keep up with needs as SW Valley booms |work=The Arizona Republic |location=Phoenix |via=Newspapers.com|page=Southwest Valley 10|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112976604/10-school-districts-ask-for-help/}}

Since 2006, Verrado has invested in technology in classrooms. In comparison to retrofitting, the school's campus was built with considerations for wireless technology in mind, such as laptops and interactive whiteboards, a cost-effective implementation.{{cite news |last=Famiglietti |first=Michael |date=August 16, 2006|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112977654/verrado-high-showcases-digital-classro/|page=Southwest Valley 10 |title=Verrado High showcases 'digital' classrooms: System expected to raise learning |work=The Arizona Republic |location=Phoenix}} Each classroom is equipped with a document camera and an LCD projector.{{cite news |last=Carr |first=Kelly |date=April 15, 2006 |title=Verrado High teachers will use high-tech tools |work=The Arizona Republic |location=Phoenix|page=Southwest Valley 11|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112976875/verrado-high-teachers-will-use-high-tech/|via=Newspapers.com}} In 2017, AFUHSD implemented one-to-one computing through Chromebooks at Verrado.

Verrado has hosted various events. In 2007, the school's football field was used for Buckeye's Fourth of July celebrations. Previously, Buckeye and Verrado had held separate celebrations, marking a turning point in the relationship between the two towns.{{cite book |last1=Prince |first1=Russ Alan |last2=Schiff |first2=Lewis |date=February 26, 2008 |title=The Influence of Affluence: How the New Rich Are Changing America |publisher=Crown |isbn=9780385525299 |page=185}}{{cite news |last=Carr |first=Kelly |date=July 7, 2007 |title=Community celebration marks turning point: Verrado, town officials combine forces to put on Fourth of July show for enjoyment of many |work=The Arizona Republic |location=Phoenix |via=Newspapers.com|page=Southwest Valley 8|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112976834/community-celebration-marks-turning-poin/}} Since 2014, Verrado has held an annual homecoming parade. Festivities are held near Verrado's Main Street and Village Green. These festivities precede a homecoming football game and the homecoming dance.{{cite web |url=https://www.verrado.com/verrado-news/special-events/verrados-annual-homecoming-celebration/ |title=Verrado's Annual Homecoming Celebration |date=October 6, 2014 |website=verrado.com |access-date=November 9, 2022}} In addition, the Summit Community Church has held congregations at Verrado, using the school's auditorium for service.{{cite web |url=https://intentionalchurches.com/resources/IC%20-%20Summit%20Community%20-%20Case%20Study.pdf |title=Summit Community Church - A Case Study |work=Intentional Churches |access-date=November 12, 2022}}

The use of bond funds has helped fund additions and improvements to the campus. In 2014, heightened security was added to the school's campus, along with the addition of a weight room and new fencing,{{cite web |url=https://www.verrado.com/verrado-news/upgrades-coming-verrado-high-school-west-valley-schools/ |title=Upgrades Coming to Verrado High School |date=February 5, 2014 |website=verrado.com |access-date=November 9, 2022}} through the use of bond funds.{{cite web |url=https://www.aguafria.org/site/handlers/filedownload.ashx?moduleinstanceid=9984&dataid=12589&FileName=Agua%20Fria%20UHS%20CAFR%2017.pdf |title=Comprehensive Annual Financial Report |work=Agua Fria Union High School District |access-date=November 10, 2022}} Further security and safety measures were implemented using the use of bond funds in 2019.{{cite web |url=https://www.westvalleyview.com/community/youth_of_today/agua-frias-mark-yslas-writes-letter-to-parents/article_fbacf452-2c3c-11ec-9ee2-838c35c7a1ca.html |title=Agua Fria's Mark Yslas writes letter to parents |last=Yslas |first=Mark |date=October 16, 2021 |work=West Valley View |access-date=December 15, 2022}}

In 2017, Huffman was replaced by Kristen Tiffany, who had previously served as an administrator for two schools in the AFUHSD.{{cite news |date=August 9, 2017 |title=New leaders, changes in West Valley school districts|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112976988/new-leaders-changes-in-west-valley-scho/|pages=Peoria 3, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112977043/districts/ 4], [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112977099/districts/ 5] |work=The Arizona Republic |location=Phoenix}} Two years later, Nathaniel{{cite web |url=https://aiaonline.org/schools/666/verrado |title=Verrado High School |website=AIAOnline |access-date=November 9, 2022}} Showman became Verrado's principal. Showman had previously worked at Verrado as a teacher and assistant principal, and had most recently served as the principal of Salina High School Central in Salina, Kansas.{{cite web |url=https://www.salina.com/story/news/local/2019/04/12/nate-showman-resigns-as-salina-central-high-principal/5450359007/ |title=Nate Showman resigns as Salina Central High principal |date=April 12, 2019 |last=Demuth |first=Gary |work=The Salina Journal |access-date=November 9, 2022}}

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Verrado, along with the rest of the schools in the AFUHSD, switched to a distance learning model, following rising COVID-19 cases within the district.{{cite web |url=https://yourvalley.net/stories/agua-fria-students-return-to-distance-learning-nov-9,199714 |title=Agua Fria students return to distance learning Nov. 9 |date=November 5, 2020 |last=O'Sullivan |first=Kelly |work=The Daily Independent |access-date=November 8, 2022}}

In February 2023, weapons detectors were installed at Verrado, following an increase in firearm threats. Verrado is the first high school in Arizona to use weapons detectors, and the second to implement weapons detection measures, following the implementation of handheld metal detectors at Mountain Pointe High School in January. Weapons detectors will be implemented at other schools in the AFUHSD, including Canyon View High School.{{cite web |url=https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2023/02/15/agua-fria-union-high-school-district-gun-detectors |title=Phoenix area's Agua Fria school district installs new gun detectors |last=Duda |first=Jeremy |date=February 15, 2023 |work=Axios}} The weapons detectors, which cost an estimated $500,000 across all five schools,{{cite web |url=https://www.fox10phoenix.com/video/1181232 |title=Buckeye high school becomes the 1st school in Arizona to get weapons detection system |date=February 15, 2023 |work=KSAZ-TV}} is part of a $2 million security initiative.{{cite web |url=https://www.azfamily.com/2023/02/16/high-school-buckeye-testing-weapons-detector/ |title=High school in Buckeye testing weapons detector |last=Koehle |first=Angie |date=February 16, 2023 |work=KTVK}}

File:Verrado High School open classroom.jpg

Verrado High School was designed by architecture firm Orcutt/Winslow Partnership and constructed by Adolfson and Peterson Construction,{{Cite web |url=https://legacy.azdeq.gov/ceh/download/verrado.pdf |title=CASE STUDY Verrado 4-08 |work=Arizona Department of Environmental Quality |access-date=November 8, 2022}} who had previously worked with the AFUHSD on the second phase of Desert Edge High School in 2005.{{Cite web |url=https://www.azsfb.gov/sfb/agency/Published/Photo%20Gallery.pdf |title=Photo Gallery |publisher=Arizona School Facilities Board |access-date=January 12, 2023}} Other companies involved with the project included landscaping company Sloat Landscape, structural engineer KPFF Consulting Engineers, and energy consultant Quest Energy Group.{{Cite web |url=http://www.educationdesignshowcase.com/view.esiml?pid=130 |title=Verrado High School |work=Education Design Showcase |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303235649/http://www.educationdesignshowcase.com/view.esiml?pid=130 |archive-date=March 3, 2016 |url-status=dead |access-date=November 8, 2022}} Verrado developer DMB Associates donated land for the school and provided $2.25 million for construction. Initial plans for the building included a television studio, art room, choir room, and dance room.

The campus is two stories tall, covering a building area of {{cvt|220000|ft2}} and a site area of 53 acres.{{r|Casestudy|p=1}}The site area is reported in the Education Design Showcase as 48 acres, while the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality reported 53 acres in its case study. The building has a maximum capacity of 2,137 students and a design capacity of 1,600 students.{{r|Casestudy|p=1}} In 2015, construction on a field house adjacent to the main campus began.{{cite web |url=https://www.aguafria.org/cms/lib/AZ01902191/Centricity/ModuleInstance/14/AFUHSD%20Continuing%20Improvement%20Journey.pdf |title=AFUHSD Continuing Improvement Journey |work=Agua Fria Union High School District |access-date=November 8, 2022}}

The form of the main campus imitates the New Urbanism ideas seen in Verrado. These ideas can be expressed through the metaphor of the building as a small government; the "wings" are treated as small neighborhoods of houses (classrooms), interwoven through a larger, federal government (school administration). Verrado also implements open classrooms through three-walled classrooms connected through a singular hallway, a learning space popularized in the late 1960s and 1970s.{{cite web |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-04-27/the-debate-around-open-classroom-design |title=Who Thought 'Open Classrooms' Were a Good Idea? |date=April 27, 2017 |last=Kirk |first=Mimi |work=CityLab |access-date=November 8, 2022}}{{cite web |url=https://azreportcards.azed.gov/schools/detail/87903 |title=AZ School Report Card for Verrado High School |work=Arizona Department of Education |access-date=November 8, 2022}} There are a total of five wings; four implement the aforementioned open classroom concept, while a fifth is used primarily for elective classes and features classrooms with a door and fourth wall.

Located in the center of the school is a 520-seat auditorium. Initial plans for the school failed to consider proper acoustics within the auditorium, causing reverberations in low frequencies and resulting in an unpleasant auditory experience. In addition, the plans placed the auditorium adjacent to the school's food court, consequently creating a noisy environment. To address these issues, ceiling tiles capable of reducing noise and acoustic panels were strategically placed to reduce reverberation.{{cite web |url=https://ctdginc.com/2018/06/08/verrado-high-school-agua-fria-union-high-school-district/ |title=Verrado High School |work=Convergent Technologies Design Group |date=June 8, 2018 |access-date=November 8, 2022}}

Verrado was designed as a green building,{{cite news |last=Carr |first=Kelly |date=May 15, 2007 |title=Verrado High's building teaches green principles|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112977309/verrado-highs-building-teaches-green-pr/|via=Newspapers.com|pages=B1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112977344/high-school-a-lesson-in-conservation/ B6]|work=The Arizona Republic |location=Phoenix}} and is the second high school in Arizona designated as such. Water efficient strategies implemented at Verrado include low-flow fixtures and showers with waterless urinals; these measures resulted in moderate water savings.{{r|Casestudy|p=2}} Ventilation is handled through a central HVAC system, and optimizations to reduce energy include insulated glazing and daylighting.{{r|Casestudy|p=3}} The building is Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified. In 2010, solar panels were installed on the roof of the school's campus, as part of a clean energy initiative by the Agua Fria Union High School District,{{cite web |url=http://www.azcentral.com/community/swvalley/articles/2011/01/16/20110116agua-fria-solar-panels.html |title=All Agua Fria high schools will have solar panels |date=January 16, 2011 |last=Gordon |first=Megan |work=The Arizona Republic |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120718164632/http://www.azcentral.com/community/swvalley/articles/2011/01/16/20110116agua-fria-solar-panels.html |archive-date=July 18, 2012 |url-status=dead |access-date=November 8, 2022}} along with a 350 kW solar photovoltaic power system. Over 1,400 photovoltaic solar panels cover the rooftop of Verrado.{{cite web |url=https://azpbs.org/horizon/2010/07/solar-regulation/ |title=Solar Regulation |date=July 8, 2010 |work=Arizona PBS |access-date=December 15, 2022}} Every classroom, with the exception of the computer lab, has sunlight.{{cite news |last=Reid |first=Betty |date=December 9, 2006 |title=Verrado proud of being designated 'green school'|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112977426/verrado-proud-of-being-designated-green/|page=Southwest Valley 10|via=Newspapers.com |work=The Arizona Republic |location=Phoenix}} To increase sustainability, the school was constructed from locally quarried and produced brick, while desks and flooring were constructed from recyclable materials.

The total cost of construction was $40,519,900, including a building construction cost of $30,386,500 and a site development cost of $5,055,600.

As of the 2020-2021 school year, Verrado High School had an enrollment of 1,646 students and 87.40 classroom teachers (on FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 18.83. As of 2019, 23% of students are on free or reduced lunch.{{cite web |url=https://www.azed.gov/sites/default/files/2019/01/SY2019_FRPercentages_Publish_11012019.pdf?id=5c522ca11dcb2513a8973f73 |title=Arizona Department of Education Health & Nutrition Services Free and Reduced Report |access-date=November 8, 2022}} The National Center for Education Statistics reported that in 2020 and 2021, the ethnic demographics of students was 46.1% Caucasian, 41.6% Hispanic and Latino American, 6% African American, 2.3% Asian American, and 4% other including American Indian, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander American, and multiple raced backgrounds, making up a majority minority.

Enrollment has decreased since 2017, following an increase in enrollment since 2013; there were 2,024 students for the 2017-2018 school year, an increase from an enrollment of 1,646 as of the 2020-2021 school year. Demographically, Verrado has shifted, from 36.8% Hispanic and Latino American students in 2018 to 43.49% in 2022. Conversely, the percentage of Caucasian students has decreased, from 49.4% in 2018 to 45% in 2022.{{Cite web |url=https://azreportcards.azed.gov/schools/detail/87903 |title=AZ School Report Cards |work=Arizona Department of Education |access-date=December 23, 2022}}

In 2022, U.S. News & World Report ranked Verrado High School 4,149th nationally and 72nd among schools in Arizona. Newsweek placed the school 1,586th in its annual America's Best High Schools list for 2013.{{cite web|url=http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/2013/05/06/america-s-best-high-schools.html|access-date=September 18, 2013|title=The Daily Beast|work=Newsweek }} The Washington Post placed Verrado 1,747th on its "America's Most Challenging High Schools" list for 2015.{{cite web |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/blog/business/2015/04/21-arizona-high-schools-make-most-challenging-list.html |title=21 Arizona high schools make national 'most challenging' list; 4 included in top 10 |last=O'Grady |first=Patrick |date=April 22, 2015 |work=Phoenix Business Journal |access-date=January 18, 2023}}

The curriculum at Verrado High School typically includes four years of English, mathematics, and three years of laboratory-based sciences and history, consistent with other high schools in the Agua Fria Union High School District. Students also take one year of a foreign language, two years of a fine arts class, and four years of an elective class.{{cite web |url=https://www.aguafria.org/site/default.aspx?PageType=3&ModuleInstanceID=20971&ViewID=5C8B25C6-C8F8-4BD5-923B-8A7C70A93DDA&RenderLoc=0&FlexDataID=17021&PageID=8230&Comments=true |title=2022/2023 Course Description Book |work=Agua Fria Union High School District |access-date=November 8, 2022}} A wide range of elective courses are offered, and Verrado implements vocational education through courses in fields such as coding, digital photography, engineering, graphic design, marketing, and sports medicine.

Verrado offers a range of Advanced Placement (AP) classes, focusing on English, mathematics, science, history, art, and foreign languages. These classes allow students to earn college credit. The school also offers the AP Capstone diploma program.{{cite web |url=https://blog.prepscholar.com/ap-capstone-schools-complete-list |title=Which Schools Offer AP Capstone? Complete List |date=March 21, 2020 |last=Edwards |first=Halle |work=PrepScholar |access-date=November 8, 2022}} As of 2022, there are 17 AP classes offered, with about a third of students taking at least one AP class. About 45% of students pass their AP tests.{{cite web |url=https://www.niche.com/k12/verrado-high-school-buckeye-az/academics/ |title=Verrado High School Test Scores and Academics |work=Niche |access-date=November 8, 2022}}

In 2009, Verrado partnered with Project Lead the Way to improve its STEM education, allowing students to earn college credit.{{cite news |last=Gersema |first=Emily |date=October 25, 2009 |title=High-school science program offers college credit: A head start on higher learning|page=B4|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112977513/a-head-start-on-higher-learning/|work=The Arizona Republic |location=Phoenix}} Students may also earn college credit from the University of Arizona for enrolling in engineering courses. In 2016, Verrado began offering all-female engineering courses, in an effort to increase diversity.{{cite web |url=https://www.westvalleyview.com/community/girls-clicking-with-verrado-s-all-female-engineering-classes/article_c5f8f3f2-2267-11e8-8de8-efba19b3be15.html |title=Girls 'clicking' with Verrado's all-female engineering classes |date=March 10, 2018 |last=Marsh |first=Adrian |work=West Valley View |access-date=November 9, 2022}}

Foreign language offerings at Verrado include Spanish, French, and Latin, of which Verrado is the only school in the district to offer a class in Latin. Students may also take AP Spanish Language and Culture. Science programs offered at the school include environmental science, biology, earth science, forensic science, chemistry, physics, and physical science.

Through Estrella Mountain Community College's dual enrollment program, certain classes at Verrado allow students to earn college credit concurrently as they take the course.{{cite web |url=https://www.estrellamountain.edu/students/dual-enrollment/participating-valley-high-schools |title=Participating Valley High Schools |work=Estrella Mountain Community College |access-date=November 8, 2022}} Classes offering dual enrollment include Spanish II and Honors Spanish III, Honors Anatomy and Physiology, AP Biology, Sports Medicine I and II, Rehabilitation/Therapeutic Modalities, and Honors Pre-calculus.{{cite web |url=https://www.aguafria.org/site/default.aspx?PageType=3&DomainID=11&ModuleInstanceID=1523&ViewID=6446EE88-D30C-497E-9316-3F8874B3E108&RenderLoc=0&FlexDataID=13254&PageID=15 |title=Dual Enrollment Information |work=Agua Fria Union High School District |access-date=November 10, 2022}} In addition, students can attend classes available through the Western Maricopa Education Center (West-MEC) joint technological education district during school hours.{{cite web |url=https://www.aguafria.org/Page/4851 |title=Counseling & Career Center / West-MEC |work=Agua Fria Union High School District |access-date=November 8, 2022}} In 2018, a partnership was formed between Verrado and the ASU School of Sustainability; certain classes held at Verrado are led by instructors at Arizona State University (ASU), allowing students to earn college credits.{{cite web |url=https://www.westvalleyview.com/news/verrado-students-get-hands-on-with-environmental-challenges/article_f62a8794-48bd-11e8-9f21-af18ec762f72.html |title=Verrado students get hands on with environmental challenges |date=April 28, 2018 |last=Hehl |first=Nicole |work=West Valley View |access-date=November 9, 2022}}

As part of the AFUHSD, sophomores, juniors, and seniors at Verrado can attend online classes through the school. These classes are taken outside of school hours, and a fee is required.{{cite web |url=https://www.aguafria.org/Domain/1476 |title=Online Classes |work=Agua Fria Union High School District |access-date=November 10, 2022}}

A ProPublica report in 2016 found that around a quarter of students take the SAT or ACT, and 4% are in a gifted and talented program.{{cite web |url=https://projects.propublica.org/miseducation/school/040045002592 |title=Miseducation {{!}} Verrado High School |date=October 16, 2018 |work=ProPublica |access-date=November 9, 2022}} As of 2022, Verrado students had an average SAT composite score of 1170 out of 1600. The Arizona Board of Regents found that, for the 2015-2016 school year, 63.6% of students attended some form of post-secondary education.{{cite web |url=https://www.azregents.edu/sites/default/files/public/Class%20of%202016-17%20College%20Going%20by%20High%20School%204-28-17.pdf |title=College Going of 2015-16 Arizona Public High School Graduates |work=Arizona Board of Regents |access-date=November 10, 2022}}

File:Verrado High School field 1.jpg

Verrado High School fields 23 varsity teams, including badminton, track/cross country, football, golf, swimming, volleyball, basketball, soccer, wrestling, baseball/softball, and tennis; additionally, Verrado has an esports team. These teams compete under the Verrado Vipers moniker in the Arizona Interscholastic Association (AIA).{{cite web |url=https://aiaonline.org/schools/666 |title=Verrado High School |work=Arizona Interscholastic Association |access-date=November 8, 2022}} In the AIA, the Verrado Vipers compete in the 5A conference and in Division II.{{cite web |url=https://aiaonline.org/files/14046/2022-2023-aia-constitution-bylaws-policies-and-procedures-book.pdf |title=AIA Constitution, Bylaws, Policies and Procedures |work=Arizona Interscholastic Association|access-date=November 9, 2022}} In addition, the school also has a marching band and color guard, competing as the Viper Vanguard.{{cite web |url=https://vipertimes.com/4606/around-campus/marching-band-2022-comes-to-a-close/ |title=Marching Band 2022 Comes to a Close |date=November 4, 2022 |last=Reinhardt |first=Kevin |work=The Viper Times |access-date=November 8, 2022}}{{cite web |url=https://ktar.com/story/4810462/buckeye-high-school-band-director-wins-gaydos-and-chads-teacher-tribute/ |title=Buckeye high school band director wins Gaydos and Chad's teacher tribute |date=December 17, 2021 |last=Dunham |first=Torrence |work=KTAR News |access-date=November 10, 2022}} The Viper Vanguard hold an annual invitational known as the Viper Thunder Classic.{{cite web |url=https://www.vipervanguard.com/vtc |title=Viper Thunder Classic |website=vipervanguard.com |access-date=November 9, 2022}}

The student body of Verrado is represented by a student government informally known as "StuGo", a portmanteau of "student" and "government". Verrado's student government helps organize spirit weeks and dances.{{cite web |url=https://vipertimes.com/4258/around-campus/fashion-advice-for-spirit-week/ |title=Fashion Advice For Spirit Week |date=September 12, 2022 |last=Tolliver |first=Jaylen |work=The Viper Times |access-date=November 8, 2022}}{{cite web |url=https://www.aguafria.org/domain/1735 |title=Club List |work=Agua Fria Union High School District |access-date=November 8, 2022}}{{cite web |url=https://vipertimes.com/4721/around-campus/the-inside-scoop-on-stugo/ |title=The Inside Scoop on STUGO |date=December 5, 2022 |last=Zambrano |first=Brissa |work=The Viper Times |access-date=December 6, 2022}}

Verrado allows students to join clubs. As of 2022, the school had 36 clubs, including a National Honor Society chapter.

The Viper Times is the official school newspaper, published online by students who either take the journalism class or participate in the journalism club.{{cite web |url=https://vipertimes.com/about/ |title=About |work=The Viper Times |date=November 12, 2009 |access-date=November 8, 2022}} As of 2022, 28 students are involved with the publication of the newspaper.{{cite web |url=https://vipertimes.com/staff/ |title=Staff |work=The Viper Times |date=March 19, 2015 |access-date=November 8, 2022}}

• Education in Arizona

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