Dysart to Launch Marine Corps JROTC at Willow Canyon

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - 04/02/2026

DYSART SCHOOLS - Willow Canyon High School will be the newest school in Arizona to offer a U.S. Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC) program. The program will launch for the 2026/2027 school year at the school campus, located at 17901 West Lundberg Street, Surprise AZ 85388, and was approved by the Dysart Governing Board at the March 30 meeting. Students in grades 9-12 will be eligible to enroll in the program, which consists of up to four levels of leadership education instruction.

“We are extremely proud to expand our JROTC offerings through a partnership with the Marine Corps,” said Dr. John Croteau, Dysart Schools Superintendent. “These programs provide valuable opportunities for the students in our community, and it is a great honor for Dysart to be chosen through the Marine Corps’ rigorous selection process.” 

This will be the second JROTC program in the Dysart district, as an Army JROTC program has been in place at Dysart High School for many years. Both programs are offered through Dysart’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) department, and include classroom and field experience, as well as clubs for associated competitive teams.  

About Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps  The Marine Corps JROTC program is one of the Marine Corps’s contributions to assisting America’s youth to become better citizens. The program produces successful students and productive adults, while fostering in each school a more constructive and disciplined learning environment. The mission of the program is to develop character and citizenship in the youth of America.  Objectives include: Give students an appreciation for the origin, advantages and responsibilities of citizenship; Develop an understanding of leadership skills and the advantages of strong moral character; Promote in the students an understanding for the need and application of national security; and Develop in students a sense of pride and personal discipline.