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TWENTY–FIVE ARIZONA PUBLIC SCHOOLS EARN A+ SCHOOL OF EXCELLENCE™

AWARD FROM ARIZONA EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION

Program Helps Schools Meet the Needs of Students

PHOENIX, Ariz. (April 21, 2011) – Twenty-five Arizona public schools have earned the A+ School of Excellence™ award from the Arizona Educational Foundation (AEF), it was announced today.

Since 1983, AEF has honored exemplary Pre-K-12 public schools in Arizona through the program which strives to create a comprehensive framework of successful programs and practices that other schools throughout the state and nation might adopt.

The 2011 A+ Schools of Excellence are:

• Barry Goldwater High School, Phoenix (Deer Valley School District), Dr. Michael Andersen, Principal

• Bogle Junior High School, Chandler, (Chandler School District), Susan Avey, Principal

• Boulder Creek Elementary, Mesa (Gilbert School District), Dr. Karen Coleman, Principal

• Bret R. Tarver Elementary, Phoenix (Cartwright Elementary School District), Angela Graziano, Principal

• Cactus Shadows High School, Cave Creek (Cave Creek School District) Steven Bebee, Principal;

• Chandler High School, Chandler (Chandler School District), Terry Williams, Principal

• Chandler Traditional Academy, Freedom Campus, Gilbert (Chandler School District), Wendy Nance, Principal

• Coatimundi Middle School, Rio Rico (Santa Cruz Valley School District), John Fanning, Principal

• Desert Sky Middle School, Tucson (Vail School District), Micah Mortensen, Principal

• Desert Vista High School, Phoenix (Tempe Union High School District), Dr. Anna Battle, Principal

• Desert Winds Elementary School, Phoenix (Deer Valley School District), Kathy McNeill, Principal

• East Valley Institute of Technology, Mesa (EVIT School District), James Fisher, Principal

• Empire High School, Tucson (Vail School District), Matt Donaldson, Principal

• Estrella Foothills High School, Goodyear (Buckeye Union High School District), Dr. Leslie Standerfer, Principal

• Excelencia Elementary School, Phoenix (Creighton Elementary School District), Damon Twist, Principal

• Granada East School, Phoenix (Alhambra Elementary School District), Sandy Kennedy, Principal

• Higley High School, Gilbert (Higley School District), Larry Rother, Principal

• Kyrene Aprende Middle School, Chandler (Kyrene School District), Gerri Shaw, Principal

• Old Vail Middle School, Vail (Vail School District), Dr. Laurie Emery, Principal

• Pinnacle High School, Phoenix (Paradise Valley School District), Jason Reynolds, Principal

• Playa del Rey Elementary School, Gilbert (Gilbert School District), Dr. Robyn Conrad, Principal

• Queen Creek Elementary School, Queen Creek (Queen Creek School District), Erika Copeland, Principal

• Salk Elementary School, Mesa (Mesa School District), Karla Carlson, Principal

• Sanborn Elementary School, Chandler (Chandler School District), Nel Capadona, Principal

• Thompson Ranch Elementary School, El Mirage (Dysart School District), Frances Sperling, Principal

“The A+ School of Excellence™ program celebrates education and calls attention to the positive stories and successes occurring in Arizona’s public schools every day,” explained AEF Executive Director Bobbie O’Boyle. “This year we received more applications for the program than in past years and that sends a positive message that Arizona schools are doing outstanding work in spite of myriad challenges facing the educational community.”

A+ Schools are evaluated in the areas of student focus and support, school culture, active teaching and learning, curriculum, leadership, community and parent involvement and assessment data.

Applications are made available to Pre-K-12 schools statewide. Evaluation of each A+ School is based on a lengthy written application and rigorous site visit by a review panel. In the application process, each school provides demographic information, documentation of parent and community involvement, a profile of the school and principal, and sustained high achievement or significant improvement in the school’s assessment data. Preparation of each school’s application involves the commitment of all stakeholders including students, faculty, staff, administration and community members.

While recognition itself is one reward of the program, the honorees serve as important models of educational excellence. Based on information provided by the winning schools, AEF compiles a database of “A+ Best Practices” available on its website for Arizona’s education community. A comprehensive list of “A+ Best Practices” can be viewed at . The A+ Award is valid for three years.

Corporate sponsors include APS, The Arizona Republic/Season for Sharing, Desert Schools Federal Credit Union and Safeway with support from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona.

For more information, visit or call (480) 421-9376.

About Arizona Educational Foundation (AEF)

The Arizona Educational Foundation is a nonprofit organization that fosters excellence in education by administering statewide programs that enhance the capabilities of Arizona’s schools. It endeavors to strengthen the teaching profession, design high quality curricula, stimulate student achievement and celebrate the successes in K-12 public education in Arizona. Since 1983, through its Arizona Teacher of the Year Program, A+ School of Excellence Program, Arizona Spelling Bee, Polly Rosenbaum Writing Contest and Principals’ Leadership Academy, AEF identifies, recognizes and rewards exceptional schools, leaders, teachers and students. Visit or call (480) 421-9376 for more information.

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