West Point principal highlights academic gains, engagement and student leaders at board meeting

Brandy Haskins, principal of West Point High School, told the Tolleson Union High School District governing board on Thursday that the school had seen measurable academic growth, expanding extracurricular programs and strong student leadership since the campus opened.

"We start all of our meetings by reviewing our core values," Haskins said, naming the school's values as "integrity, respect and excellence." She described growth on state and college-readiness measures, noting improvements on ACT-related metrics and a goal to raise the school's graduation rate above 90%.

Haskins recognized students and staff: Diana Amaia accepted a school spirit food-drive award after students collected 3,046 pounds of food; senior Grant Ditry was nominated as a student-of-the-month; student leaders Day (student body president) and Trey (basketball captain and JAG leader) described postgraduation plans to attend Northern Arizona University and Arizona State University, respectively. Haskins also presented staff awards, naming Monica Williams as an office staff difference-maker and Stephanie Chow as certified staff member of the year for her human anatomy program and band support.

West Point has grown programming since opening, Haskins said, highlighting career and technical education (CTE) internships, dual-enrollment and AP participation, a newly formed chess team that won the district championship, a swim team using Avondale's aquatic center, and a Freshman Success Team funded through a state grant focused on executive-function supports. "Our teachers at each grade level are aligned. They communicate with each other. They stay dedicated to the curriculum, and they provide interventions," Haskins said.

Board members praised the presentation and congratulated students and staff. A board member invited the public to attend the school's Friday night playoff game for the boys' basketball team. Several trustees thanked Haskins for her leadership and the work of the campus's administrative team.

The presentation was given during the board's regular meeting and included slides and student appearances. The district's superintendent and other board members noted that West Point is the district's second A-rated campus, and praised the staff's collaboration and community engagement.

The school and district will continue monitoring ACT and graduation-rate targets and report progress to the board in subsequent school-year updates.