West-MEC - Horizon High School

To provide an accurate summary, it is important to clarify the relationship between these two entities: **West-MEC (Western Maricopa Education Center)** is a public Career and Technical Education (CTE) district, while **Horizon High School** is a traditional comprehensive high school within the Paradise Valley Unified School District. The address provided (5601 E. Greenway Rd.) is the location of Horizon High School.

Here is a description of how these two entities function together:

West-MEC serves as an extension of the high school experience rather than a separate campus located at that address. Students attending Horizon High School have the opportunity to enroll in specialized West-MEC programs—such as coding, medical assisting, welding, or fire science—that go beyond the curriculum offered at a standard high school. While the students spend a portion of their day or their elective time focusing on these career-specific skills, they remain enrolled at their "home" high school (Horizon), allowing them to earn both high school credit and industry-recognized certifications simultaneously.

The partnership is designed to bridge the gap between K-12 education and the workforce or post-secondary technical training. By integrating West-MEC’s vocational resources with the traditional academic environment of Horizon High School, students are provided with a "hands-on" learning pathway. This model allows Horizon students to gain a competitive edge by graduating with not only a high school diploma but also a professional skill set that is immediately applicable in high-demand technical industries.