From up-close encounters with majestic birds of prey to the powerful sounds of live symphonic music, students at Kyrene de la Estrella are experiencing learning in dynamic new ways this year thanks to a focused effort to strengthen student engagement on campus.

At the start of the school year, Estrella's Site Council set a clear goal: bring enriching, hands-on experiences directly to students.

"The Site Council believes strongly in academic outcomes," said Amber Skalsky, Site Council member and parent. "But we know that learning doesn't stop in the classroom. Students grow when they have hands-on experiences and build skills outside of schoolwork."

Council members researched more than 15 community organizations before selecting partners that could provide on-campus presentations aligned with their engagement goals. The result has been a steady stream of interactive learning opportunities that connect students to the broader community.

Principal Matthew Martin has witnessed that excitement firsthand. When the Arizona Science Center presented on combustion, the flames drew an excited response from the crowd.

"The students had a visceral reaction to the flames — many 'ooohs and ahhhhhs,' like a firework show," Martin said.

Liberty Wildlife's visit brought students face-to-face with a bald eagle — an encounter that left a lasting impression.

"It's one thing to see an eagle soaring way up in the sky," Martin said, "but to see this magnificent bird up close really gives the students a better understanding of how powerful the bird is."

Recent visits from Liberty Wildlife and the Phoenix Symphony left students "buzzing with excitement."

"You think of seeing a hawk or an eagle up close and learning how to care for animals — it inspires students to think more about the world around them and how they can contribute," Skalsky said. "Then you open a child up to the beauty of music through the symphony, and you're strengthening those creative muscles and supporting cognitive growth."

The Phoenix Symphony's visit was equally memorable. The ensemble used oversized emoji images to connect students emotionally to the music, inviting them to shout out which feelings each piece expressed. Skalsky emphasized that bringing experts directly to campus removes barriers and ensures all students have access to meaningful enrichment. This quarter students have or will also be visited by ChildsPlay, the Phoenix Art Museum and the Arizona Herpetological Society.

"Every child deserves enriching experiences and access to programs that help them reach their full potential," she said. "It builds morale. It builds that spark and energy on campus — not just for our students, but for our educators and staff as well."

Even in a year of transition, the Site Council remained committed to its plan. Though the school building will close at the end of the year, both Skalsky and Martin believe the impact of these experiences will last far beyond the campus itself.

"Kids may not remember the day they learned 'length times width times height' in math class," Martin said, "but they will remember the day the bald eagle came to Estrella. They will remember the classically trained musicians performing Baroque music to start their day. They will remember the combustion experiments."

"The spirit of what we built — that spark in our kiddos — remains," Skalsky said. "They carry that with them wherever they go."

In a year filled with memorable moments, Estrella's focus has remained clear: keep students curious, connected and shining brightly.