A+ School of Excellence Program: Benefits for Arizona Schools & Communities
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What Makes A+ Schools of Excellence Shine?
Designed as a way of identifying Arizona’s candidates for the U.S. Department of Education’s National Blue Ribbon Schools Award, AEF’s A+ School of Excellence program has recognized the best of the best in public schools since 1983.
Brett Bonner, AEF’s director of professional development and dean of the AEF Academy, was formerly a principal and assistant superintendent of schools that received the A+ School of Excellence award.
“The impact was profound both immediately and in the long term,” Bonner says. “For our teachers and entire staff, it served as a powerful affirmation of their commitment to student success and a boost in morale, knowing that their efforts were being recognized on such a prestigious level. For our students, it reinforced the value of their education and their potential, creating a sense of pride and ownership in their school community.”
The Evaluation Criteria for Educational Excellence
AEF’s A+ School of Excellence program is a distinguished recognition that honors some of the best schools in Arizona for their commitment to high academic standards, innovative practices and strong community involvement.
“The program evaluates schools based on several criteria, including leadership, curriculum, student academic performance levels and school culture,” Bonner says. “It focuses not only on academic achievement but also on the holistic development of students, embracing environments where teachers and students thrive together.”
A Collaborative Application Process
According to Marianne Lucas Lescher, Ph.D., principal of Kyrene Traditional Academy (KTA), the A+ application process provides both inspiration and insights.
“The recognition and the award itself are the result of an amazing yearlong effort that includes teachers, staff, parents, students, community members and community partners,” Lescher says, whose schools have received the A+ School of Excellence award six times.
“The work and contributions of all parties make it such a collaborative process, so when our school receives the award and recognition, the entire community can rejoice and share in the honor, and all groups really understand the work that it took to get there,” Lescher says. “The process is very much like a self-study, allowing everyone to get an in-depth view and understanding of the many facets of the school.”
The Pride Is Palpable
The A+ School of Excellence award boosts public confidence in recognized schools, inspiring stronger parent and community involvement and even creating positive economic impact in some Arizona communities.
“Students and families and staff are bursting with pride in this huge accomplishment,” says Lescher, who has also served as an A+ program judge. “The pride is palpable as we meet and tour our school with parents and families — parents want the best for their children and these accomplishments and recognitions point to the excellence at KTA.”
Mentoring Is Crucial
As a Principals Leadership Academy of Arizona (PLAA) mentor, Lescher underscores the importance of mentorship and having new and emerging leaders exposed to A+ early on in their careers. “AEF and the programs of A+ and PLAA provide the highest-quality professional development and mentorship to develop, encourage and guide the next generation of leaders,” she shares.
“Being an educator and an educational leader is very hard work. You need a support system, others in the field who you can turn to for guidance and encouragement. Seeing the models of the highest quality A+ Schools of Excellence enhances the knowledge and understanding of emerging leaders so they can see what they are aspiring to accomplish for their schools.”
Benefitting from the A+ Process
Joshua Payne is the principal of Robert M. Bracker Elementary School, which received its first A+ award early in 2025, after receiving the Blue Ribbon Schools Award in 2007 and 2024. “I’m proud of my entire faculty and the entire student body and community. A+ is something the entire community can be proud of,” he says.
Payne notes that there are significant benefits of going through the A+ application process. “It’s very fluid. AEF does a fantastic job of setting the stage for schools to have a successful application,” he says. “Schools can look at successful applications for reference and put in a pre-application that eventually evolves into a piece of art.”
One of the founding AEF ideals was to showcase exceptional work being done in public education, and the A+ School of Excellence program exemplifies this at every step.
“By regularly engaging teachers/staff in reflective conversations and offering professional development that is both relevant and practical, principals can create an environment where staff not only feel valued but are also prepared to achieve the highest standards of educational excellence,” Bonner says.
Get Your School Recognized for Its Excellence
Learn more about the A+ School of Excellence program!