Cade Manor is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Goodyear High School for AZPreps365.com

When the bell rings at Goodyear High School and 450 new freshmen flood the hallways, it’s not just standard high school chaos. It’s the first pages of a brand-new school’s history.

When Goodyear High opened in August 2025, it started with exclusively freshmen. According to the school’s website, the school plans to add a new freshmen class every year until the school reaches its 2,000 student capacity.

There are no upperclassmen leading the way. No seniors calling the shots. Instead, Goodyear’s inaugural class has an extraordinarily unique opportunity to lead the way from the beginning.

That opportunity is especially significant for students who stepped into leadership roles. Freshman Joaquin Shaw, a member of the media committee in Goodyear’s first-ever student government, said the uniqueness of this moment isn’t lost on anyone.

“It feels great to be a part of the first,” Shaw said. “It’s a unique opportunity to have, since we’re going down in the history books for this.”

At just 14 or 15 years old, many of Goodyear’s students describe Goodyear High as a continuation of eighth grade, according to Principal and Athletic Director Jason Linn.

“We do not have the upperclassmen to mentor and give the kids the end-goal picture of what it looks like,” Linn said. “These kids are closer to being adults than they are kindergartners, and that’s what we're trying to guide them to. Making good decisions, being on time, things that are going to help prepare them for their life as they go forward.”

For students, the absence of older role models is one of the biggest hurdles. Shaw said the same challenge stands out to him.

“The hardest part is trying to have someone to look up to as an older student having all that previous experience and knowledge,” Shaw said. “It’s kind of hard to not get experience from that…the lessons that they teach.”

That lack of older peers means everything – from passing periods to pep assemblies – must be taught. Linn says this is one of the biggest challenges for staff.

“What happens with incoming freshmen is they’re so tied down in elementary school. Stand in line, do this, do that,” Linn said. “Then, they get to high school, and they’re excited because they get some freedom. We really had to teach them, and we’re still working on that, getting kids to class on time.”

Despite the adjustment, students are establishing an identity for the school. Shaw said that being the first gives every contribution a sense of importance.

“If you’re the first people there, they’re going to remember you as the first graduating class,” Shaw said. “The first people to do this, that, and everything. Just being first in general is the biggest aspect of it.”

The unique freshmen-only structure also creates challenges for athletics. Goodyear is technically in the 4AIA A conference, but without an official region, every schedule has to be constructed by hand. Also, the school’s teams often face older opponents. The girl’s flag football team, for example, played a full JV schedule, facing sophomores and juniors on a regular basis.

“Automatically, we’re outmatched in every single game that we play,” Linn said.  “Just two years of maturity and physicality, and being in the weight room puts us at a disadvantage. But that didn’t stop them from competing their tails off. Super proud of those girls to pick up a couple wins.”

Despite these obstacles, participation in athletics was high. According to Linn, 44% of students at Goodyear have played at least one sport – a number expected to jump once spring sports begin.

Creating a sense of identity and culture at a brand-new school falls squarely on the shoulders of both staff and students. For Linn, athletics and academics are only part of the picture. Building a strong culture starts with giving students a voice in shaping the school.

Linn said that it was the students who chose the school’s colors of navy blue and Kelly green, as well as the Maverick mascot. Goodyear High sits on the site of the former Phoenix Trotting Park.

By allowing students to select both colors and a mascot, the administration intentionally built a sense of ownership. Assistant Principal Micaella Butterfield said this approach helps freshmen understand that they are not just students, but founders.

“We’ve talked a lot in our school culture building, especially with our staff, about having the school honor the past,” Butterfield said. “The history of Goodyear, the city of Goodyear, and our land being on the old race track. Helping our kids understand that they don’t exist in a vacuum. They’re the future.”

The student government committee has already played a major role in launching school traditions, most notably planning Goodyear High’s first-ever dance.

“All of that was put on by us,” Shaw said. “We had photos, we had balloon arches, we spent a lot of time setting up and planning.”

This philosophy extends beyond symbolism. The school is also focused on establishing traditions that future classes will inherit.

“What we do this year is going to stand for the next five, 10 years,” Linn said. “So we're trying to establish the pep assemblies and the school spirit. We've got our student government class working already. We've got a yearbook class already. We’re trying to do everything that a normal high school would do with all freshmen now so that when the next class comes in, those are already established things.”

In this way, building culture at Goodyear High is both deliberate and collaborative. Staff provide guidance and structure, while the students actively shape the school’s emerging identity. It’s a process that is teaching freshmen leadership, responsibility, and pride in their school from day one.

Goodyear High is designed to expand each year until it becomes a full 9-12 high school, eventually hosting roughly 2,000 students. Shaw said he expects the school to grow into a diverse and well-connected community.

“We’re going to be able to understand how we can grow as a school,” Shaw said. “Learning from all past experiences to better ourselves. Eventually creating this school that is well-known for its community, not just for being brand new.”

For Butterfield, being part of the first year is overwhelming, but a great honor.

“Just knowing what a staple this will be in our community. We have so many staff members, and my family included, who have kids that are going to go here. It changes things when you’re embedded within the community. It ups the stakes a little bit when you see that immediacy of the kids it’s going to affect. It’s a great honor, and the community has been amazing.”