17 Arizona Schools Earn a Grade of A+ According to Arizona Educational Foundation

PHOENIX - April 23, 2009 - It’s the best grade a student can possibly earn – A+ signifies a student has achieved a level of excellence.

In Arizona, that grade can signify excellence for a school as well. Seventeen schools statewide have been recognized by the Arizona Educational Foundation (AEF) as Arizona A+ Schools for 2009. The honored schools and their corresponding school district follow below:

• Anasazi Elementary School, Scottsdale
• Balsz Elementary School, Phoenix (Balsz District)
• Black Mountain Elementary School, Cave Creek
• Clarendon Elementary School, Phoenix (Osborn District)
• Corte Sierra Elementary School, Litchfield Park
• Hamilton High School, Chandler
• Kyrene de la Mariposa Elementary School, Tempe
• Montebello Elementary School, Phoenix (Alhambra District)
• Mountain View Elementary School, Rio Rico (Santa Cruz Valley District)
• North Ranch Elementary School, Scottsdale (Paradise Valley District)
• Patterson Elementary School, Gilbert
• Quail Run Elementary School, Tucson (Marana District)
• Queen Creek High School, Queen Creek
• Robert & J. Danell Tarwater Elementary School, Chandler
• Santa Fe Elementary School, Peoria
• Sopori Elementary School, Amado (Sahuarita District)
• Sycamore Elementary School, Corona de Tucson (Vail District)

All of the schools honored by the AEF will maintain their 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.

The website states the selection process involves a panel of judges who represent the Arizona community. These judges conduct site visits to selected elementary and secondary schools in the state in order to choose A+ Award winners.

To learn more about the AEF A+ School Recognition Program, please visit, http://www.azedfoundation.org/school-recogition-program.php.