About Maricopa Institute of Technology · Phoenix
Maricopa Institute of Technology (MIT) is a tuition-free public charter high school serving grades 7–12 in south Phoenix, Arizona, with a rigorous STEM² (science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and medicine) college-preparatory focus. Operated as a charter of the Estrella Educational Foundation (EEF) and physically based in the Riverside Elementary School District No. 2 near Broadway Road and 55th Avenue, MIT blends classroom, online, and laboratory learning for advanced students. Its mission emphasizes personal excellence in character alongside academic rigor, and the school supports Advanced Placement courses, dual enrollment, internships, and a strict uniform policy requiring lab coats in research labs.
Maricopa Institute of Technology is a STEM² college-preparatory school located at 3900 South 55th Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85043, positioned off Broadway Road and 55th Avenue. The school is the product of an innovative collaboration between academic leaders at Riverside School District #2 and the Estrella Educational Foundation (EEF), a charter management organization dedicated to expanding high-quality, advanced curricula in underserved communities. MIT serves advanced learners in grades 7 through 12, including a Junior High Magnet Program (grades 7–8) run in collaboration with Riverside and a high school division (grades 9–12) chartered through EEF. Programs span robotics, drones, 3D printing, engineering, advanced science, mathematics, AP coursework, dual-enrollment college credits, career internships, and a hybrid delivery model that mixes classroom instruction, online courses, and hands-on labs. The character-development program is built around five pillars — Integrity, Fidelity, Tolerance, Responsibility, and Self-Discipline — and the curriculum is aligned to Arizona College and Career Readiness Standards and international benchmarks. As a public charter, MIT charges no tuition to Arizona residents and requires mandatory parental involvement, a recommendation from the prior school, and a strict code of conduct. The school's daily schedule runs 8:00 a.m.–2:40 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, with a shorter 8:00 a.m.–12:10 p.m. Wednesday; office hours are 7:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m. on school days, and weekly tours are offered Friday mornings 8:30–9:30 a.m.
- In business
- Public charter school currently operating; exact founding year not stated on the official site.
- Owner
- Operated under the Estrella Educational Foundation (EEF) charter; EEF CEO/Superintendent is Dr. Ruben B. Gutierrez. MIT Headmaster is Mehulkumar Gandhi. The school is a collaboration between Riverside Elementary School District No. 2 and EEF.
- Serves
- Phoenix, Arizona and the surrounding Maricopa County region; open tuition-free to any Arizona resident.
About the School
Maricopa Institute of Technology (MIT) is a public, tuition-free college-prep high school in Phoenix serving grades 7–12. According to its official site, MIT is 'a college preparatory high school providing an advanced science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine STEM² Education while challenging students to pursue personal excellence in character, in order to serve and lead others.' The school is the product of a collaboration between Riverside Elementary School District No. 2 and the Estrella Educational Foundation (EEF), a charter management organization whose CEO/Superintendent Dr. Ruben B. Gutierrez publicly notes that his team brought MIT to students in south Phoenix.
- Grades served: 7–12 (Junior High Magnet 7–8 via Riverside; charter high school 9–12 via EEF)
- Charter holder: Estrella Educational Foundation
- Address: 3900 S. 55th Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85043
- Tuition-free for Arizona residents
- NCES-listed charter high school (ID 040095503519)
Mission and Vision
MIT's stated mission is to equip students with the skills to apply, enroll in, and graduate from college — leading to career success. EEF's broader vision is that 'every child should have access to a high-quality education,' and EEF specifically targets underserved communities where 'limited resources restrict student services.' MIT administers a hybrid academic program combining classroom teaching, online courses, and labs to address diverse learning needs and prepare students to thrive in a global STEM economy.
- Mission: skills to apply, enroll in, and graduate from college
- EEF vision: every child deserves a high-quality education
- Hybrid delivery: classroom + online + lab
STEM² Curriculum
MIT's STEM² curriculum is rigorous, integrated, and aligned to Arizona College and Career Readiness Standards and international standards. Featured offerings on the school's homepage include robotics, drones, 3D printing, engineering, advanced science, and mathematics. All MIT classes incorporate communication skills, encourage innovation, and require critical thinking, problem solving, and peer collaboration. Lab coats are required in all research labs, and the school maintains a strict uniform policy.
- Robotics, drones, 3D printing, engineering
- Advanced science and mathematics
- Communication, critical thinking, problem solving embedded across classes
- Lab coats required in research labs
- Aligned to Arizona College and Career Readiness Standards
College Credit and Internships
Students can earn college credit before graduation through Advanced Placement courses and dual-enrollment classes. The school also facilitates career internships, and MIT accepts credits issued by other high schools, community colleges, and universities as elective credits; core-area transfers require headmaster petition and possible examination. Eighth-graders continuing into ninth grade may receive credit for algebra, geometry, or pre-calculus/AP math per Arizona Department of Education rules (grades not included in GPA).
- Advanced Placement courses
- Dual enrollment college credits
- Career internships
- Credit-transfer petition process via headmaster
Character Education and Values
MIT pairs its academic program with explicit character education built on five pillars: Integrity (Honesty, Fairness, Sincerity), Fidelity (Faithfulness to the spirit of a learning environment, Allegiance), Tolerance (Kindness, Caring, Good Will, Compassion, Respect), Responsibility (Reliability, Accountability, Trustworthiness), and Self-Discipline (acting with reasonable restraint). The student expectations list reinforces a college-ready mindset, mandatory parental involvement, and a zero-tolerance code of conduct.
- Integrity
- Fidelity
- Tolerance
- Responsibility
- Self-Discipline
Admissions and Enrollment
MIT is tuition-free to any Arizona resident with a passion for STEM² subjects. Junior High Magnet applicants (grades 7–8) must obtain a letter of recommendation, complete the Riverside Elementary School District No. 2 enrollment application, take the 7th- or 8th-grade math and English placement exam at MIT, and consult with the MIT headmaster. Behavior, attendance, gifted status, and Arizona testing results inform placement. Enrollment packets are available in English and Spanish for the 2025–2026 and 2026–2027 school years. The Office of New Student and Parent Relations can be reached at 602-477-2780.
- Tuition-free for Arizona residents
- Junior High Magnet admissions via Riverside ESD
- Placement exams in math and English at MIT
- Required letter of recommendation from prior school
- Enrollment packets in English and Spanish
School Schedule and Calendar
MIT publishes its school hours plainly on its Our School and FAQ pages, with a slightly shorter Wednesday that is common to many lab-heavy schools. Office hours bracket the school day for parent business, and weekly tours give prospective families a window into the campus.
- Mon/Tue/Thu/Fri: 8:00 a.m.–2:40 p.m.
- Wed: 8:00 a.m.–12:10 p.m.
- Office: 7:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m. on school days
- Tours: Friday 8:30 a.m.–9:30 a.m.
Faculty and Staff
The Our Faculty page identifies the school's academic leadership. Dr. Oscar A. Galeano serves as Department Chair of Social Studies and teaches AP World History and English Literature; he holds a Ph.D. in humanities and advanced degrees in literature, philosophy, and theology, and advises the Fellowship of Christian and Catholic Students. Other named staff on the Contact Us page include Cecilia Valdez (Office of New Student and Parent Relations) and Maria Carbajal, and Mehulkumar Gandhi serves as Headmaster.
- Headmaster: Mehulkumar Gandhi
- Dr. Oscar A. Galeano — Department Chair, Social Studies; advisor, Fellowship of Christian and Catholic Students
- Cecilia Valdez — New Student and Parent Relations
- Maria Carbajal — staff contact
Faith and Community Life
While MIT is a secular public charter, its website lists the 'Fellowship of Christian and Catholic Students' among faculty-led activities. A November 2025 newsletter reports the club meeting to discuss topics like procrastination and to host guest speakers — including a planned visit from Chick-fil-A representatives on career opportunities and internships — 'continuing to support our students' personal and spiritual growth.' This club is advised by Dr. Galeano, who is described on the faculty page as 'pastor and founder of Casa de Oración church.'
- Fellowship of Christian and Catholic Students (student club)
- Faculty advisor: Dr. Oscar A. Galeano
- November 2025 newsletter: discussions on faith-based leadership and student life
Contact and Visitor Information
MIT encourages prospective families to schedule a Friday morning tour (8:30–9:30 a.m.) or call to arrange another time during the school year. The Contact Us page lists separate channels for the main office, public records requests, and student records / registrar requests. The school is centrally located near Broadway Road and 55th Avenue in south Phoenix.
- Main phone: 602-477-2780
- Fax: 602-272-0309
- Public records and student records / registrar contact points listed
- Friday tours 8:30–9:30 a.m.
- Mailing: PO Box 830, Tolleson, AZ 85353 (per NCES)