Meet the Empire Principal

Matt Donaldson began his career in education in 2001 with the opening of Desert Sky Middle School. Three years later he was selected as the Assistant Principal to help open Vail's newest high school with a new idea of fully integrating technology into the world of education by providing every student with a laptop at Empire High School. The one-to-one experiment was such a success that it was broadened to every high school in the Vail School District. Mr. Donaldson has been the principal at Empire High School since 2008. In 2013, Matt Donaldson was named a 40 Under 40 Honoree by the Arizona Daily Star, and he has helped Empire High School earn three A+ School of Excellence Awards as well as other top recognitions for academic excellence.

Why Empire

Empire provides students with the tools and structures to be college-ready through challenging curriculum and a variety of educational opportunities.

• Smaller student body enables a more personal educational experience, and school culture is influenced by peer-to-peer development programs (Link Crew, Peer Mentors, S.W.A.T).

• Award winning athletics, science, and theatre programs

• Wide variety of Advanced Placement classes, with a large number of students earning AP Scholar, AP Scholar with Honors, and AP Scholar with Distinction

Vail Scholar Programs

The Vail School District offers specific supports for families who have students who are high achieving and academically motivated. Each school has a program that is slightly different; however the focus of each of these programs is to prepare students for admittance into highly selective universities and/or programs within universities. Click HERE to learn more about Empire's scholar program.

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Electives and Athletics

Transportation Policy

Vail USD High School Transportation Policy

High school students residing within a mile and a half radius with walking paths to the school do not receive bus transportation to and from school unless hazardous or difficult walking routes exist.

Students who live beyond the mile and a half radius receive transportation.

Students residing anywhere within the district beyond the mile and a half radius have transportation available to them to and from Empire High School.