Arizona Educational Foundation Announces Arizona’s 2008 A+ Schools of Excellence

The Arizona Educational Foundation is pleased to announce that 19 schools have earned the 2007-2008 A+ School Recognition Program award for excellence.

The following are Arizona’s 2007-2008 A+ Schools of Excellence:

• Andersen Jr. High School, Chandler Unified District;
• Cienega High School, Vail Unified District;
• Copperwood Elementary School, Peoria Unified District;
• Cordova Primary School, Phoenix, Alhambra Elementary District;
• Fruchthendler Elementary School, Tucson Unified District;
• Granite Mountain Middle School, Prescott Unified District;
• Hidden Hills Elementary School, Paradise Valley Unified District;
• Hillcrest Middle School, Deer Valley Unified District;
• Jamaica Elementary School, Lake Havasu City Unified District;
• Jane Dee Hull Elementary School, Chandler Unified District;
• Lone Mountain Elementary School, Cave Creek Unified District;
• Mesquite Elementary School, Gilbert Unified District;
• Nadaburg Elementary School, Nadaburg Elementary District;
• Payson Center for Success High School, Payson Unified District;
• Playa del Rey Elementary School, Gilbert Unified District;
• San Manuel Junior/Senior High School, Mammoth-San Manuel Unified District;
• Sevilla West School, Phoenix, Alhambra Elementary District;
• Sun Canyon Elementary School, Phoenix, Fowler Elementary School District;
• Wigwam Creek Middle School, Litchfield Park Elementary District.

A+ Schools are evaluated based on a lengthy application and rigorous site visit by the A+ review panel, which consists of teachers, administrators, community volunteers and business leaders.  Preparation of each school’s application involves its students, faculty, administration and surrounding community.  The A+ School Recognition Program is designed to identify and recognize schools that exemplify excellence in the following areas:  student focus and support, active teaching and learning, curriculum, community/parent involvement, leadership and assessment data.  The A+ Program is open to K-12 public schools throughout Arizona.  The A+ Award is valid for three years.

Corporate sponsors that make the A+ School Recognition Program possible are: APS, The Arizona Republic/Season for Sharing, Desert Schools Federal Credit Union and Safeway. The A+ Program is administered by the Arizona Educational Foundation (AEF) founded  in 1983 to improve education in public schools by partnering with the private sector to recognize and reward excellence in K-12 public education in Arizona. More information about the A+ School Recognition Program and the Arizona Educational Foundation can be found on our website at www.azedfoundation.org.