Home

Yesterday, City High celebrated our last Community Day of the school year and what a day it was!

Once a quarter, our students step out of the classroom and into the world, spending the day volunteering, exploring, and connecting with the vibrant experiences available right here in @downtowntucson.

This time, our students had the chance to visit and support an incredible lineup of local organizations:

🧗‍♂️ Playformance
🪨 Rocks and Ropes
🧗‍♀️ Premesis Skate Park
🖼 Alfie Museum
🏛 UAMA
🔭 Flandrau Science Center
🍡 BATA
🐾 El Jefe Cat Cafe

🎨 Some students helped paint a new mural at Playformance, while others rolled up their sleeves to clean, plant, and beautify the alley behind our school; a project that truly transforms our shared space.

A huge thank you to The Loft Cinema for sponsoring Community Days this year and helping us make these memorable experiences possible.

💛 At City High, we believe learning extends beyond the classroom and days like this remind us just how powerful that can be.

City High School students made an incredible impact at this year’s Southern Arizona Research, Science, and Engineering Foundation (SARSEF) competition, bringing home multiple awards and honors for their outstanding projects! Under the guidance of teacher Steve Beall, students in the STEM Research class and BIO 109 Pima Dual Enrollment course showcased their scientific skills and dedication.

• 11th grade student Orion received a prestigious award from the Office of Naval Research on Science and Technology for their impressive work.
• 12th grade and 11th grade students Ari and Aleph earned 3rd place in the Cellular and Molecular Biology and Biochemistry category and were recognized with the Phi Beta Kappa Association of Greater Tucson Award of Excellence.
• 11th grade student Annalie took home the Prescott College Science Award for Valuable Contribution and won 1st Place in Plant Science, earning a spot at the STATE competition!

We are so proud of our young scientists and their incredible achievements. Congratulations to all! 🎉

For their final trip together as the Class of 2025, our seniors embarked on an unforgettable journey to Santa Monica and Los Angeles—a perfect blend of service, adventure, and bonding. Thanks to the Great Hostel Give Back program, our students stayed at HI Santa Monica, where for every two hours of volunteering, up to 30 of us were able to stay for free. This incredible opportunity allowed us to give back while making the most of our time together.

🌟 Giving Back with Project Angel Food
A highlight of the trip was our day with Project Angel Food, where students helped prepare meals for 3,000 LA County residents facing food insecurity and critical illnesses. Working in a professional kitchen alongside dedicated staff and volunteers, our seniors saw firsthand the power of collective action and the impact a single meal can have on someone in need. It was a deeply meaningful experience that reinforced the value of service and compassion.

🎬 Exploring LA: From the Hollywood Hills to the Pacific Ocean
Beyond volunteering, students explored the vibrant culture and history of Los Angeles:
✔ Hiking to the Hollywood Sign for breathtaking views of the city
✔ Relaxing on the beach and taking in the Pacific Coast’s beauty
✔ Shopping and exploring local hotspots
✔ Visiting the Museum of Tolerance, a powerful experience that deepened our students' understanding of history and social justice
✔ Discovering Downtown LA and Little Tokyo, where students immersed themselves in the diverse culture of the city
✔ Seeing 44: The Musical, an inspiring and energetic production about the life and presidency of Barack Obama, which left a lasting impression on our students

💙 A Trip to Remember
More than just a trip, this experience was a time for our seniors to bond, reflect, and celebrate their journey togetherbefore graduation. Whether volunteering side by side, hiking to new heights, or sharing laughs along the shore, our seniors created memories that will last a lifetime.

We are so proud of the Class of 2025 for embracing service, adventure, and community on this special trip. Here’s to the final stretch of an incredible high school journey!

At City High School, we believe in the power of service, and our latest Community Day, proudly sponsored by The Loft Cinema, was a testament to that commitment. On February 19th, our students stepped out of their classrooms and into the heart of Tucson, dedicating their time and energy to meaningful volunteer work throughout the city.

From cleaning up local neighborhoods to supporting vital community organizations, our students made a tangible impact in a variety of ways:

🌱 Neighborhood Cleanup: Partnering with Team Up to Clean Up, Park Tucson, and the City of Tucson, students worked to beautify the Ironhorse neighborhood and 4th Avenue, removing litter and improving public spaces.

💛 Supporting Local Nonprofits: Our students volunteered at Ben’s Bells, the Diaper Bank, More Than a Bed, and the Tucson Community Food Bank, helping these essential organizations continue their missions of kindness, support, and care for those in need.

🏫 Improving Our Own School: Back at City High, students took on projects to enhance our shared spaces—assembling air filters, beautifying restrooms, organizing the upstairs of 37 Pennington, and revitalizing the alleyway. These efforts ensure that our learning environment reflects the same care and dedication we bring to our greater community.

Community Days are more than just service projects—they are a reflection of our school’s values, reinforcing the importance of civic engagement, teamwork, and the joy of giving back. A huge thank you to The Loft Cinema for their sponsorship and to all the students, staff, and community partners who made this day possible!

We are proud of our students for showing up, working hard, and making a difference in and beyond our school walls! 

City High School is thrilled to announce two special guest authors visiting our campus this December: Javier Zamoraand Manuel Muñoz. These talented writers will engage with our students, providing a unique opportunity to delve deeper into the literature they’ve been studying in class.

About the Authors

Javier Zamora is a renowned poet and memoirist whose work shines a light on migration, identity, and resilience. His memoir, Solito, tells the gripping story of his solo journey from El Salvador to the United States at the age of nine. Zamora’s raw and poetic style connects deeply with readers, making his work both personal and universal. Students have been exploring his themes of displacement and belonging, and they’ll now get the chance to hear from Zamora himself about the inspiration and challenges behind his writing.

Manuel Muñoz is an award-winning fiction writer celebrated for his evocative short stories that capture the intricacies of life in the Mexican-American communities of California’s Central Valley. His collections, including The Consequences, offer a poignant exploration of identity, family, and cultural heritage. Muñoz’s keen insight into human relationships resonates powerfully, and his stories have sparked meaningful discussions in our English classes.

Both authors will visit our school to speak directly with students, answer questions, and share insights about their creative processes. This experience will allow our students to connect personally with the authors of the novels and short stories they are currently analyzing, fostering a deeper appreciation for the craft of writing and the themes that shape these works.

City High School is committed to creating opportunities for students to engage with literature in meaningful and transformative ways. Welcoming authors like Javier Zamora and Manuel Muñoz is part of our mission to inspire a love of learning and creativity in our community.

Stay tuned for updates and highlights from these exciting visits!