A+ School of Excellence™ Program

The A+ School of Excellence™ Program is a comprehensive school assessment program that celebrates outstanding schools and brings to light the positive stories and successes happening in public schools every day.

The A+ School of Excellence™ Program unifies and energizes a school and its community.

The A+ School of Excellence™ Program was created by the Arizona Educational Foundation in 1983. Its purpose is threefold:

to identify and give public recognition to 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 a common criteria related to success.

When Does It Happen?

August: Applications are made available to schools statewide
Mid-January: Applications are due to Arizona Educational Foundation
Early February: Schools are selected and notified of site visits
February through mid-April: Site visits are conducted
Mid- to late-April: A+ School of Excellence™ winners are announced

* A+ School of Excellence™ Workshops will take place in the Fall of 2013. View the complete fall schedule »

How Does It Work?

Schools submit applications that provide demographic information, a description of current programs and practices, documentation of parent and community involvement, a profile of the school’s leadership and commitment to excellence, equity, service. Schools must demonstrate sustained high achievement or significant improvement through assessment data. Winning schools are recognized for their superior ability to identify and meet the academic and non-academic needs of their student population. Schools that earn the A+ School of Excellence™ designation retain their status for a 3-year period after which time they must reapply for the award.

The selection panel includes award-winning principals, teachers and community leaders. Panel members conduct site visits to selected schools throughout the state in order to choose A+ School of Excellence™ award winners.

What Are the Rewards?

Recognition itself is a powerful energizer for increasing public confidence in schools that earn the award. The designation can create greater parent and community involvement. The process of completing the very comprehensive A+ School of Excellence™ application allows schools to identify and address challenges, generate new support from the community and business partners, increase student and parent pride, validate school programs and accomplishments, and re-energize staff, students, and parents.

Each school receives $500 and a banner designating it as an A+ School of Excellence™. All staff and faculty at awarded schools are eligible for partial scholarships from Argosy University/Phoenix: 20% for a Master’s degree and 15% for both Undergraduate and Doctoral degrees.