Highly Decorated Corte Sierra Elementary Receives A+ Grade from the AEF

AVONDALE – July 2, 2009 – An "electric atmosphere, complimented with "down to earth" ambiance." Those are the words Principal Chris Barnes and staff of Corte Sierra Elementary School use to describe the "Highly Performing" school within the Litchfield Elementary School District .

Principal Barnes now can use a new term - Corte Sierra has received A + status. The 881-student campus has been recognized by the Arizona Educational Foundation (AEF) as one of 17 Arizona A+ Schools for 2009.

The rating - the highest given by the AEF - is the latest in a long list of awards for a campus which also describes itself as a ".close-knit, real-world community." Since opening in 2002, the school elevated from a "Performing Plus" state rating to an "Excelling" rating while receiving the Arizona A+ Exemplary Award in Reading , the Arizona School Board Association (ASBA) Golden Bell Award in Reading and the Arizona A+ Exemplary Award in Math .

It's easy to get wrapped up in praise for Corte Sierra Elementary School . Just ask some of the AEF's A+ certification judges.

"The teachers are young and energetic, and (Principal Barnes) is providing excellent leadership!" wrote the judges. "(The teachers) are seriously focused on Thinking Maps, cooperative learning and building positive relationships - and the kids are learning!"

In Corte Sierra Elementary School's A+ School certification sheet, Principal Barnes said while a diverse blend of students are flocking to the school, it is also drawing another audience in large numbers - parents. He credits the school's PTSA for helping draw them through a plethora of family events. Once on campus, Barnes says parents are hooked!

"Our parents love our school with such great passion they either become fixtures in the classroom as volunteers, or they seek employment just to be at Corte," he explained.

It might not be a stretch to say much of the Southwest Valley is hooked on Corte as well. A Country Carnival and BBQ cook-off sponsored by the school district last year drew more than 40 local businesses and a bevy of professional barbeque competitors.

Corte Sierra Elementary will maintain its A+ designation for three years.

According to the AEF website, azedfoundation.org, the A+ program celebrates education and brings to light the positive stories and successes happening in public schools every day. Created in 1983, the program's stated purpose is threefold:

• To identify and publicly recognize outstanding public schools in Arizona ;
• To make available a comprehensive framework of key criteria for school effectiveness that can serve as a basis for participatory self-assessment and planning in schools;
• To facilitate communication and sharing of best practices within and among schools based on common criteria related to success.

In order to be recognized as an A+ school, each school must submit an application providing demographic information, a description of current programs and practices, documentation of parent and community involvement, a profile of the school principal and his/her vision of the commitment to excellence, equity, service; and sustained high achievement or significant improvement in assessment. The winning schools are recognized for their superior ability to meet the needs of their student populations.