Students, Parents & Judges Can't Say Enough Good Things about Tucson's Quail Run Elementary School

TUCSON - August 25, 2009 - When the Arizona Educational Foundation's (AEF) A+ School certification judges discussed Tucson's Quail Run Elementary School, they bordered on the poetic.

Just listen to the flowery prose the Marana Unified School District campus, one of only 17 A+ schools from across Arizona, inspired.

"When people think of this school, they should think of a canvas of paint, a dozen roses, a covey of quail, books and a penny," the judges wrote. "The paint is represented by the design of the school and the maintenance of everything that lies within it. The dozen roses represent the custodian who keeps everything beautiful.

"The covey of quail is represented on the fence that surrounds the school; here the decorated quail resemble the unification of the school and its sense of family. The books are represented by the librarian, and the "Penny" is Principal Pennie Harris, who is the true gem and the heart and soul of the school."

The enthusiasm for Quail Run Elementary School wasn't limited to the AEF certification judges. On the school's certification sheet, a parent also waxed poetic - albeit, a little more analytically - about the campus.

"As a new parent to Quail Run Elementary," the parent wrote, "my experiences on campus clearly demonstrate an effective administrative environment; a collaborated culture of eagerness, professionalism and a commitment to teach; and the children exhibit a great enthusiasm to learn."

So, what's at the root of this Love Fest? Well, the school's A+ Schools certification sheet states Quail Run has many systems in place to ensure a sense of community and a culture of academic excellence, including PeaceBuilders and the Olweus Bully Prevention Program that provides, "...the foundation for building our nurturing environment."

Systems are also utilized to ensure Quail Run's students flourish academically.

"Applying the Arizona Academic Standards to our daily instruction provides the basis for consistency in scaffolding of skills," Principal Harcus and her staff wrote. "Through daily planning and collaboration, grade levels align the curriculum and work as a team to coordinate the instruction. Grade levels are effective due to their teaching model - no individuals, no islands and no isolation of teachers."

Quail Run Elementary School 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.

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