Dennis Barger’s visionary leadership and unwavering dedication have left an indelible mark on Vail (Academy and) High School, the UA Tech Park, and the broader educational community. As he prepares to retire this month, his legacy will continue to shape the lives of students, educators, and innovators for years to come.
Dennis Barger has been a cornerstone of Vail High School since its inception. As the first high school teacher hired in Vail, he served in various roles before becoming the principal in 2006. Vail High School was originally established at the UA Tech Park in response to the community’s growing need for flexible, innovative educational options. The school served as a charter high school designed to offer a smaller, more personalized learning environment within a technology-focused setting. Its location at the UA Tech Park allowed students to be immersed in a real-world innovation ecosystem.
As the school’s popularity grew, so did the demand for its innovative approach to education. To accommodate this growth, Mr. Barger collaborated with the UA Tech Park leadership to plan for expansion. In 2010, the school broke ground on a new comprehensive K-12 technology-focused facility, making it the first school of its kind established on a U.S. research park. This growth enabled the school to serve a broader range of students while maintaining its unique position within a cutting-edge business and research park. The expanded facility, becoming Vail Academy and High School, offered an even more robust educational experience, blending academic excellence with real-world innovation.
VAHS’ rigorous academic program emphasizes individual learning styles, and technology integration with a strong community style approach. The K-12 school houses 460 students in grades K-8 and 160 high school students. Each grade level accommodates approximately 48 students. When asked about his campus, Mr. Barger shared, “Watching kindergarteners and high school seniors together… it doesn’t get any better than that.” The small class size provides an interactive environment where students receive personal attention.
Throughout his tenure, Mr. Barger has been dedicated to student success. He played a pivotal role in organizing the school’s robotics team, the Boxer Bots, which has become wildly popular and successful, being only one of three teams in the state to own a State Championship!
His commitment to fostering a nurturing and academically rigorous environment has helped countless students achieve their full potential.
Dennis Barger’s visionary leadership and unwavering dedication have left an indelible mark on Vail (Academy and) High School, the UA Tech Park, and the broader educational community.
He was recognized as Arizona’s Secondary Principal of the Year in 2016 by the National Association of Secondary School Principals, and again by Junior Achievement in 2018.
