Mesa Public Schools: public high school with STEM program in Arizona

Arizona attracts international students with its sunny climate, affordable cost of living, and quality public schools. Mesa Public Schools is the largest school district in the state, serving more than 3,100 students through six high schools. Located 30 minutes from Phoenix, the district combines academic excellence with modern infrastructure and specialized programs in STEM, arts, and technical education.

Mesa stands out for offering International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum and dual enrollment program, where high school students take university courses and accumulate credits even before graduation. It is a public school with the quality of a private institution, ideal for families seeking solid education without the high costs of boarding schools.

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Mesa Public Schools' academic differentials

Strategic Partnership with Arizona State University

Mesa is directly connected to Arizona State University (ASU), one of the largest and most innovative American universities. This partnership allows high school students to access university resources, participate in advanced academic programs, and build relationships with ASU professors before applying to graduate.

The geographical proximity facilitates campus visits, academic events, and workshops. Students interested in engineering, computer science or tech areas have the opportunity to visit university laboratories and talk with active researchers.

International Baccalaureate and dual enrollment

The IB Mesa program offers 10 complete courses following the strict international standards of the International Baccalaureate. Students develop critical thinking, research, and communication skills through methodology recognized by universities around the world. The IB degree facilitates admissions to globally competitive institutions.

Dual enrollment, on the other hand, allows you to take 20% of subjects at university level while you are still in high school. This means accumulating credits that count both toward completing high school and toward future graduation, saving time and resources. Brazilian students return home with transcripts that demonstrate the ability to handle university academic rigor.

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Structured STEM program

The Red Mountain STEM Institute, one of the district's specialized academies, focuses on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Students work in laboratories equipped with current technology, develop research projects, and participate in state scientific competitions.

The STEM curriculum includes:

• 19 AP (Advanced Placement) courses in areas such as physics, calculus, computer science, and chemistry
• Robotics and automation programs
• Engineering and manufacturing classes
• Environmental science laboratories

This structure specifically prepares for careers in technology and engineering, sectors with high demand in the American and global markets.

Academic performance and university admissions

Mesa Public Schools is among the top 50% school districts in Arizona for reading and math proficiency. Red Mountain High School, in particular, achieves national recognition for college preparation. The students' average SAT score is 1090, competitive for admissions to state universities and some private institutions.

Mesa graduates are accepted in:

• Arizona State University (the largest public university in the US)
• Northern Arizona University
• Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (reference in aerospace engineering)
• University of Arizona
• Technical institutions specialized in cooking, art and design

University counseling support starts early. Counselors advise on course selection, preparation for standardized tests, and application strategies. This ensures that each student maximizes their chances of admission to their desired universities.

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Technical and professional programs

Mesa offers Career and Technical Education (CTE) that prepares students for the job market in specific areas. These programs combine theory with practical experience through laboratories and partnerships with local companies.

Available areas:

• Agricultural sciences
• Automotive and mechanics
• Culinary Arts
• Engineering and manufacturing
• Marketing and sales
• Audiovisual production and digital journalism
• Computer maintenance
• Welding

Students who study CTE leave high school with valid professional certifications, a competitive advantage both for university admissions and for the labor market.

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Sports and Athletic Achievements

Athletics is a strong tradition in Mesa. The district has one of the 25 best high school athletic programs in the United States according to Sports Illustrated. Teams compete at the state and national levels, regularly winning championships.

Sports offered:

• American football, basketball, and baseball
• Soccer, softball and volleyball
• Athletics, Cross Country, and Swimming
• Golf, tennis and wrestling
• Bowling

Participating in sports teams teaches discipline, leadership, and time management. American universities value student athletes, and many get partial athletic scholarships that reduce graduation costs. For Brazilians who play sports, combine sports exchange with academic excellence it is an intelligent strategy.

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Arts and creative activities

The arts program at Mesa is robust and diverse. Students participate in award-winning marching bands, orchestras, jazz ensembles, theatrical productions, and visual art exhibitions. Facilities include art studios, music rooms, auditoriums, and rehearsal spaces.

Artistic options:

• Music: band, orchestra, jazz, choir, musical theory
• Theater and acting
• Visual arts: painting, drawing, sculpture, ceramics, photography, stained glass
• Digital design and illustration
• Audiovisual production and journalism

Students can choose arts as regular subjects or join extracurricular clubs. The district values creative expression as much as academic achievement, forming young people with diverse abilities.

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Student clubs and organizations

Mesa offers dozens of clubs that allow you to explore specific interests and develop leadership. Participating in student organizations strengthens university applications and creates a sense of belonging in the school community.

Some available clubs:

• Model United Nations (diplomatic simulations)
• National Honor Society (academic recognition)
• Junior Statesmen of America (politics and citizenship)
• Language clubs (Spanish, Chinese, French)
• Chess Club, Anime Club, Fashion Club
• Environmental Club (sustainability)
• Yearbook and Writing Club

International students are encouraged to actively participate. It's an effective way to make friends, practice English in real settings, and authentically experience American school culture.

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Arizona location and climate

Mesa is a suburban city with more than 500 thousand inhabitants, part of the Phoenix metropolitan area. It is 30 minutes from downtown Arizona's capital and is served by Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX), facilitating travel for Brazilian students.

The desert climate offers more than 300 days of sunshine a year. Summers are extremely hot (40°C +), while winters are mild and pleasant. This trait attracts those who prefer constant warmth and outdoor activities. The region has nearby mountains, hiking trails, and the Salt River for water sports.

Mesa combines small city security with metropolitan area features. Students access shopping malls, restaurants, parks, and cultural attractions easily. Phoenix offers museums, professional sporting events (NBA, NFL, MLB), and vibrant urban life.

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Admission requirements

To apply to Mesa Public Schools, Brazilian students must:

• Be between 15 and 18 years old
• Be attending from the 10th to the 12th year (2nd or 3rd year of Brazilian high school)
• Prove English through:
  • ELTIS 2: minimum 675 points
  • TOEFL: minimum 40 points (more affordable than other schools)
  • Duolingo: minimum 65 points
• Present school transcript
• No interview required (simplified process)

Mesa accepts students from the 10th year onwards, unlike schools that receive students from the 9th grade. The school doesn't offer formal ESL support, so basic-intermediate level of English is sufficient to start, but the student must be willing to make an effort to keep up with the classes.

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Program options

Mesa offers length flexibility:

• Semester (5 months) - Spring or Fall
• Full academic year (10 months)
• 1+1 Program (two consecutive years)

The school year begins in August and ends in May. Vacancies for fall 2026 are open, while spring 2026 has closed. Planning in advance guarantees a better choice of host family and enrollment in the desired subjects.

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House with American family

All international Mesa students live with host families managed by Educatius, an experienced homestay organization for exchange students. Families undergo a rigorous selection process, background checks, and training.

Students have their own room, participate in family meals and experience authentic American routine. Living with a family accelerates learning English and provides cultural immersion that doesn't exist in dorms. Local coordinators make regular visits and are available 24 hours a day for support.

Student testimonials highlight how the host family experience taught about values, coexistence, and American culture. One Japanese student mentioned: “Living with a family that had young children taught me a lot about how American families live and support each other.”

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Cost-benefit of a public school

One of the biggest advantages of Mesa Public Schools is the cost. American public schools are significantly more affordable than private boarding schools, without compromising academic quality. This allows more Brazilian families to provide High school experience in the United States for your kids.

The district received important recognitions:

• Siemens Foundation Top Advanced Placement Programs
• Silver Medal School by US News and World Report
• Athletic program among the 25 best in the country

These awards confirm that Mesa competes in quality with expensive private institutions but maintains public school prices.

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Language preparation before boarding

Having intermediate English makes it easier to adapt, but arriving at a more advanced level transforms the experience. Students who are fluent in the language enjoy classroom discussions, make friends faster, and are able to participate in clubs and extracurricular activities right from the start.

Invest in specialized English courses before the exchange, focusing on academic vocabulary and conversation, accelerate progress. The better the English on arrival, the more the student is able to focus on the content of the subjects instead of struggling with the language.

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Be Easy

Mesa Public Schools offers quality American education with an affordable cost, sunny location, and nationally recognized academic programs. Be Easy facilitates the entire process, from choosing a school to preparing for boarding, ensuring that you get the most out of this experience. Our team knows the Mesa district deeply and can advise you on the best strategy for your academic profile. Contact us and start planning your exchange in Arizona.