PHOENIX – Arizona’s Valencia Newcomer School, aimed at integrating immigrant children into the U.S. education system, will close due to dwindling enrollment. Opened in 2018, the school has been a sanctuary for many, including 11-year-old Luis Mujica from Venezuela, helping him and others find their voices in a foreign land. At its peak, Valencia welcomed nearly 150 students from over 20 countries, providing crucial support and employment opportunities for immigrant families.
Mujica shared memories at a January school board meeting, recalling monthly deliveries of essentials like clothes and personal care items that the school provided. Valencia, part of the Alhambra Elementary School District, was one of few Arizona schools designed to help immigrant children assimilate. “Because of Valencia, I didn’t just learn English,” Mujica said during the meeting. “I learned how to speak up.”
Factors Behind the School’s Closing
The governing board decided on Feb. 12 to shut the school by the academic year’s end, citing declining enrollment due to the COVID-19 pandemic, lower birth rates, and an aging population. “You can’t manifest children out of nowhere,” said board member Christian Solorio. This year, only 22 students are enrolled, down from 216 at its peak, with some not being immigrants.
Principal Lynette Wegner attributed the drop to federal immigration policies. Trump’s Executive Order 14161 imposed full entry restrictions on 19 countries, affecting enrollment. Despite the challenges, Valencia boosted student English proficiency rates by over 50% in 2024, surpassing district averages. Wegner emphasized the importance of meeting students’ emotional needs before academic learning.
Support for Immigrant Families
Valencia staff underwent trauma-informed training to better support vulnerable students, transforming their approach to emphasizing empathy. The school partnered with nonprofits to extend support beyond academics, helping families with essentials like transportation and healthcare. “We’ve invested in counselors and social workers,” said district board vice president Lupe Conchas, highlighting efforts to teach basic life skills.
As students transition to other district schools, resources will be redistributed. Community partners like Abounding Service vow to continue Valencia’s mission. “We move forward with the ache and the knowledge of the loss,” said Derek DeVelder, executive director. The school’s approach to creating a supportive, family-like environment for immigrant communities remains a model for future initiatives.
Hope for the Future
Conchas expressed hope that policies will one day allow the reopening of a school like Valencia, providing a supportive environment for immigrants. “We will have policies that allow for people fleeing tumultuous countries to find a home and support,” he said. The decision to close has left the community with tear-filled eyes but hope for future opportunities to recreate this inclusive and nurturing environment.
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