By Sondra Barr
Photos courtesy of PVSchools
At Shadow Mountain High School, there’s a classroom where the mornings are anything but ordinary. It’s home to DAAPS—the Digital Academy of Advanced Placement Scholars—a program that offers students like Avah Montgomery, Jaron Isfan, and Chloe (Alix) Ssennya a unique high school experience full of community, challenge, and deep learning.
All three seniors remember what it felt like to apply to DAAPS in eighth grade—and the excitement of being accepted.
“I knew from the start that I was going to be at Shadow for high school,” says 18-year-old Avah. “My mom is an alumna, so I was very excited to continue in her footsteps. When I heard about DAAPS, the program just clicked. It seemed like it would provide me everything I wanted—a small class size, a group of people who truly cared about learning, and the opportunity to connect with texts and history at a deeper level.”
For 17-year-old Alix, it was a path that felt like her own. “I have a brother who is two years older than me, and when he went to high school, he chose the CREST program at Paradise Valley. We are very similar people, but while he was very clearly a STEM-inclined person, I felt like, though I do like math, my interests lied more with the humanities. When it was my turn to decide on a high school, my mom told me about a ‘sister school’ to Paradise Valley called Shadow Mountain where the DAAPS program was. We decided to take a tour of the school with Mr. Storey, the head of DAAPS, and it seemed like the perfect option.”
Jaron, 17, says it’s hard to pinpoint why he applied—but something about DAAPS just drew him in. “Mr. Storey gave us a tour of the campus and specifically of the DAAPS room, and sat down and talked about the program, and for some reason I just knew that was where I wanted to go. The atmosphere just excited me.”
DAAPS students commit to a two-period morning block of AP and honors humanities classes—an interdisciplinary experience taught by a team of passionate educators. It’s a structure that not only encourages academic depth but also builds connection.
“The DAAPS community has become a part of my extended family,” says Avah. “Although it may seem like you will be increasing your workload, please know that this is not the case.”
Alix adds, “Because we have spent multiple hours a day together for the four years of high school, it feels like we have gotten to know each other well and formed genuine connections with one another.”
The program is known for its unique projects and engaging instruction, too. “This February, my senior DAAPS class finished the book we have been reading together called ‘Tuesdays with Morrie,’” says Alix. “Mr. Storey has done such an amazing job of connecting with our DAAPS class that reading “Tuesdays with Morrie” in senior year made it even more meaningful, and many students in the class were in tears as we read the last few pages because of how poignant it was.”
Jaron remembers something a bit more hands-on. “One assignment that will stick in my mind is the cake making competition that we had during junior year,” he says. “Mr. McKown then connected the idea of the levels of the cake which build off one another in flavor yet stand alone to the ideas of the different levels of government.”
Even when juggling research papers, AP prep, and high-level texts, DAAPS students find support and motivation.
“Multi-tasking with all of the different educational aspects that come with DAAPS can be difficult at times,” says Alix, “especially during second semester when AP exams are on the horizon… It also helps that many of my DAAPS classmates would be going through the same thing, so we are able to rely on each other and support each other through the stressful times.”
The benefits of the program extend far beyond high school. “DAAPS has also prepared me for a more self-driven style of learning that I believe will be very important in my college career,” says Avah.
Alix says, “DAAPS taught me good writing skills in general, which helped not only with the main college essay, but with supplemental answers for each individual college.”
And while Jaron plans to major in biotechnology, he’s glad he didn’t take the STEM-only route. “DAAPS has helped to keep me balanced in my learning and in the future years will force me to focus on more than just STEM… DAAPS has caused me to view learning not simply for the purpose of school, but instead for the joy of learning in itself.”
What would they tell students considering DAAPS but feeling unsure?
“I would tell them that DAAPS is a lot of work, but that each assignment has meaning,” says Avah. “Also, all of the work is worth it in the end to get to complete the DAAPSTONE and have a whole year getting to explore something that truly interests you.”
Adds Jaron, “DAAPS, in my opinion, will never be too hard because the teachers are able to elevate students to the level to be up to the challenge.”
For motivated students looking for challenge, connection, and growth, DAAPS delivers. Applications for incoming ninth graders for the 2025–26 school year are open. Spots are offered on a rolling basis, so early submission is key. To learn more, visit shadowmountain.pvschools.net/programs/daaps.
