By Mary Goldmeer
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The Agua Fria Union High School District has officially named its upcoming arts-focused high school The Hilltop School for the Arts, following a vote at the governing board’s meeting Wednesday night. 

The school, set to open in August 2026, will offer specialized arts education and feature a 700-seat theater for student and professional performances.  

The name was selected from three finalists after a months-long process that gathered input from students, staff, and community members. A motion to delay the decision and consider additional names failed, and the board approved the Hilltop name by a 4-1 vote. 

Board members chose from three names with backgrounds provided by Julie Jones,  the school’s principal, during her presentation:

• The Hilltop School for the Arts:  “Evokes a sense of excellence, prestige, and ambition, where a community of artists comes together to learn, create, and support one another in their craft.”
• La Loma School for the Arts: “Spanish for "The Hill" has a poetic and artistic quality, making it a name that resonates across cultures.”
• Litchfield Park School for the Arts: “Carries a sense of history, elegance, and community, which gives the school a distinguished and reputable identity.”

“We wanted to make sure that students have a strong identity in their school,” said Jones. “The name should resonate not just with the local community but also across the nation and create a distinguished image of what the school is going to be.”  

Board members debated the long-term significance of the name, with some expressing concern over tying it to Litchfield Park, which donated the land for the school.  

“I want this to stand on its own,” said board member Kristen Acton. “We talk about it being a legacy project, and it needs to stand on its own. I’m so grateful for the city of Litchfield Park donating the land, but I don’t want to be associated with something that exists.”  

Acton emphasized the importance of selecting a name that would give the school a strong reputation beyond the local community.  

“I absolutely expect this name to be on the news, on the radio, winning awards, being announced,” she said. “So what do we want to be amplified to the world?”  

Board member Eric Cutlum, the lone dissenting vote said he was unsatisfied with any of the name options and had pushed to delay the decision, calling it a “one-time go” and emphasizing the importance of getting the name right.  

The Hilltop School for the Arts will be built on La Loma Hill in Litchfield Park, a site historically designated by the Litchfield family in the 1920s for cultural and performing arts purposes. The project is funded through a $50 million bond approved in 2023 and will serve up to 450 students pursuing careers in visual and performing arts.  

“We see this site as a cultural center not just for Agua Fria students, but for the entire community,” said Litchfield Park City Manager Mathew Williams. 

Superintendent Mark Yslas called the project a major step forward for the district.  

“This academy will inspire creativity, foster community connections, and leave a lasting legacy,” Yslas said. “It embodies our mission to champion creativity, educational excellence, and strong ties with the community.”  

Students at the Hilltop School for the Arts will choose from six academies focusing on filmmaking, music production, sound design, performance arts, visual arts, and theater technology. The school will feature industry-standard facilities, including a recording studio, cinematography lab, and advanced rehearsal spaces.  

“This program will allow students to experience and learn across multiple disciplines, helping them build a strong portfolio,” Jones said. “With only 400 students being accepted, this program is for those who believe the arts are their life’s work.”  

In addition to serving students, the school’s performing arts center will host concerts, theater productions, and community events, bringing regional, national, and international artists to the West Valley.  

The approval of the name allows the district to move forward with signage, branding, and promotional materials in preparation for the school’s opening in 2026.  

Visit aguafria.org for more information.