A+ School of Excellence Archive

Kyrene del Norte Elementary School exemplifies excellence through its vibrant culture of collaboration, care, and shared purpose. Staff across all roles work seamlessly to support students’ academic, social, and emotional growth, creating a true sense of family where every child is known, valued, and supported. The dual language program is a defining strength and source of pride, offering rigorous, well aligned instruction in both English and Spanish while fostering bilingualism, cultural appreciation, and long term student success. Students thrive in a safe, structured, and nurturing environment grounded in consistent expectations, strong social emotional supports, and responsive leadership that actively listens and adapts to the needs of its community. Families are deeply engaged partners, staff demonstrate exceptional dedication and professionalism, and the school’s sustained enrollment, strong reputation, and lasting alumni connections clearly reflect a community that believes in and lives out the principles of an A+ School of Excellence.

"The A+ Judging Team without hesitation recommends Kerr Center for Agriscience for the Arizona Educational Foundation A+ School of Excellence Award.

This school is unique and 100 % student centered. All staff are onboard supporting the schools mission! The judges were impressed with the community and family involvement and support. It was evident that Kerr has clear systems in place, students are known and supported, and the AG program is an integral part of the schools day to day routines.

Principal Breitenbucher and her staff are dedicated educators. Mrs. B has earned the respect of all of her stakeholders and her transparent, servant leadership instills confidence in the community which she serves.

Highlights from the visit included the overwhelming show of collegiality which was evidenced at every level of this small family of certified and classified members. The customer service starts in the front office and is observable in every room on campus. The staff at Kerr are true champions for each and every student as well as for each other.

Students, staff, and community members all agree that Kerr Center for Agriscience is a safe place with high expectations. It is a true family. Over and over we heard that families do research to come and enroll their children in this school.

The Agriculture program is blended smoothly across grade levels and woven throughout the curriculum. We heard that the ""AG PROGRAM has changed my life or our children's lives!"" Teachers don't just teach- they develop leaders in all their students! The students do a lot more than bridle goats at Kerr... THEY learn to be a part of a larger community and how to participate in this larger world!

Kerr students, staff and community, have truly earned this recognition as a team and demonstrate at their core what the AEF School of Excellence Award stands for in the State of Arizona.

Congratulations!"

"Julia Randall Elementary has earned the A+ designation for the following observations by the A+ Site Visit Team:
•The culture of the school is warm, caring and respectful and student-centered
•Community and parents are deeply involved and invested in the success of all students
•There is high visibility of student achievement throughout the school
•The Principal leads a strong “Guiding Coalition” and has a well known open door policy
•Strong practices in Professional Development were highlighted by certified and classified staff"

"John Jacobs Elementary School authentically serves as a community hub and genuinely cares about the students and community they serve. This school has strong relationships with their community and multi-generations have attended this unique elementary school. Highly effective teaching staff, shared leadership opportunities, shared professional development, mentoring, strong sense of collegiality amongst team, and willingness to share/grow.

The Principal of John Jacobs Elementary School has strong principles, is fully committed to his school community, and models highly effective leadership. The principal is highly visible and respected by his staff, parents and student body. The administration actively seeks feedback from all stakeholders.

Effective instructional strategies were modeled throughout our site visit. These strategies included effective questioning techniques, active participation (overt/covert), technology integration, modeling of the expected outcome(s)/learning objective(s), organization (materials/learning environment), and lesson task analysis was evident. Learning goals/instructional objectives were clearly posted in each classroom.

The entire school (classrooms, library, playground, hallways, etc.) demonstrated highly effective classroom management strategies. Staff values the importance of genuine and authentic relationships with ALL students.

Clearly demonstrated evidence of critical 21st century learning skills: Problem solving, communication, creativity, innovation, collaboration, and perseverance.

John Jacobs Elementary School has a healthy and rich school culture. It was wonderful to see the positive interactions with staff, parents, students, and school community members.

Entire John Jacobs Elementary School campus is clean, well cared for, attention to detail, welcoming, provided a wonderful first impression, and passed Mr. Bonner’s student restroom smell and cleanliness test!"

"The A+ judges thoroughly enjoyed our visit to Huachuca Mountain Elementary in November. We were warmly greeted by Coach Mac and the cheerleaders, and upon entering the building, the office staff welcomed us and guided us to our meeting room. The student leaders then led us on an excellent tour of the campus, highlighting many of the impressive practices taking place at your school.
Following the tour, the A+ judges visited every certified classroom. One of the most notable strengths was the consistent, high-quality teaching happening throughout the day. In every room—from the first classroom we entered to the final visit around 2:45 p.m.—teachers were actively engaged in delivering meaningful instruction.
It was clear that Huachuca Mountain is a place where students feel safe, supported, and ready to learn, and where teachers are empowered to teach effectively. While every school is unique, the most successful ones share key characteristics, and Huachuca Mountain exemplifies many of them.
Your leadership team provides a clear vision, supports teachers, makes data-informed decisions, and fosters a positive, student-centered culture. The school’s investment in its teachers is evident through ongoing professional development, collaboration, and a climate that encourages educators to learn from one another. Instruction across classrooms is engaging, inclusive, and aligned with high academic expectations. Teachers skillfully use assessment data to understand student needs, adjust instruction, and offer targeted supports.
Huachuca Mountain also nurtures the whole child—not only academically, but socially, emotionally, and physically. Students have access to counseling, extracurricular opportunities, and outlets for creativity and expression. The PBIS system strengthens this work by reinforcing positive behavior. Students were clearly motivated not just by earning points, but by a genuine desire to make good choices.
On behalf of the Arizona Education Foundation, it is my pleasure to recognize your school, Huachuca Mountain Elementary, as an A+ School of Excellence! Congratulations!"

"Keeling is a school that truly represents what it means to be a community. Family was the word most often used by staff, students, and parents to describe the school. Keeling is a pillar of the neighborhood—loved, protected, and supported by the community it serves. Students described Keeling as peaceful, generous, perseverant, kind, and loving. Parents shared stories of how the school goes out of its way not only for students, but also for families in need. Staff members consistently emphasized that they always strive to do what is “right and good.”

There is no part of the child—nor the parents, staff, or broader community—that is not supported by this school. Twenty percent of Keeling’s student population are second-language learners, 73 percent receive free or reduced meals, and 27 percent receive special education services. Despite the diversity and intensity of student needs, Keeling successfully wraps support around everyone. The school’s focused attention on attendance is particularly noteworthy and has resulted in an increase in student attendance."

"Estrella Foothills Global Academy's A+ designation is a reflection of a strong, values-driven community built on high expectations for all students and a shared sense of responsibility among staff, students, and families. They foster a true family culture where kindness, respect, and support are evident throughout campus. This welcoming environment creates the foundation for a culture of learning and continuous growth, where students are encouraged to challenge themselves and strive for excellence.

They do more than talk about developing global learners. They have intentional practices in place that help students grow into thoughtful, curious, and globally minded individuals. The staff are deeply committed to knowing their students as individuals and consistently make decisions with students’ best interests at heart. Instruction is purposeful, engaging, and focused on helping every learner succeed.

Their leadership team plays a vital role in this success. Leaders are accessible, highly communicative, and visible across campus, ensuring strong relationships and clear expectations. With a visionary approach and a focus on collaboration, the leaders guide the school forward while empowering staff and students alike. Together, these elements create a thriving school community worthy of an A+ designation."

Copper Ridge Elementary deserves the A+ designation because the Ringtail family is committed to the highest standards for themselves as students, staff, and community members, and each other. They go far beyond the standard by transcending high test scores and letter grades through every facet of their school including genuine relationships with one another, meaningful student engagement, multiple leadership and interest-based opportunities, community involvement, and a clean, welcoming, and student-centered schoolhouse with exemplary systems of keeping students safe, learning, and thriving. Being on the campus of Copper Ridge is more than what you see; it is a positive and special feeling that many try to replicate but not all are successful. This feeling stems from heart, grit, and a passion for meeting each child where they are and taking them further than anyone thought possible. Copper Ridge Ringtails are 100% an A+ School of Excellence!

Cooley Middle School is a welcoming and inclusive environment set on an absolutely beautiful campus, where guests are warmly welcomed by students and staff. The positivity and enthusiasm of the entire community was evident during the entire visit and the strong school culture was professed by all stakeholders. The student experience is rich, with diverse elective options and a multitude of extra-curriculars from competitive sports to performing arts and a variety of clubs. Teachers and staff are collaborative and supportive of each other and value high expectations and rigorous learning experiences. Administration is cognizant of the necessity of providing support, encouragement, and resources to students and staff and make it a priority to not only care for the entire Cooley team, but also create an environment that embodies a school environment they would choose for their own children. Cooley Middle School is absolutely deserving of the A+ School of Excellence designation.

"Continental Elementary School, situated in the heart of Green Valley, Arizona, is the sole school within the Continental Elementary School District #39. For over a hundred years, the school has been providing students in Southern Arizona with a superior education. First starting in a one-room schoolhouse where Ranchers met each day, the school eventually moved to a larger building in the 1900s, and finally built the lovely campus occupied today.

The judges' visits to the classrooms saw students engaged in learning. Student growth, achievement, and success are evident in state testing scores as well as reflected in the data walls, of which teachers are quite proud. In virtually every classroom, the students were engaged and accountable while learning new content. The entire beautiful campus reflected the pride of the Continental Colts.

During the meetings, the teachers praised the administration for being open to their voice, making changes based on student need and teachers' suggestions. They admitted how happy they were teaching there, and the longevity of their stay. Many had been teaching for decades and had no reason to leave. They felt supported and valued, and they loved their students and community.

Students also loved their school and teachers, as well as the administrators, Mrs. Cuevas and Mr. Lathen. When asked what happened when they did something wrong, they agreed that Mr. Lathen helped them to make better decisions, and they enthusiastically insisted that he is a great listener. One student said he loved the staff and teachers and that the students at Continental “are the kindest people I’ve ever met.” They listed sports, community events, awards, strong safety procedures, and The Leader in Me program as some of the school’s strengths. One second grader insisted that a complete “lack of kidnappers” made the school great. They also felt that one improvement would be that students coming into the school could be more engaged and focused. They all agreed that the teachers are always there to help students even before or after school, and during lunch. A few of the words they used to describe Continental were: “Peaceful, Diverse, Safe, Fun, Educational, and Perfect”.

Support Staff agreed that the teachers and administrators made them feel as though they were part of the family. One said the school was family-oriented and a perfect fit. The administrators allowed for everyone’s opinion to be heard, and a support staff member stated that they allowed her to bring her kids and opened the doors to the whole family. Another said that administrators challenged them to take on new roles, giving them freedom to excel. Staff agreed that bullying among students was never a problem, and everyone felt safe and valued. Words they used to describe Continental were: “Open-minded, United, Happy, Supportive, Authentic, Humble, and Love”.

The Parents and Community members meeting will live in the judges’ minds forever. All of the parents and community members represented a large and diverse group. Many parents were on open enrollment from areas far away, and many had made sacrifices to get their children to Green Valley to go to school. One father’s job moved to Tucson, and rather than move there, he kept the family in the district, and he commuted every day, just so his kids could go to Continental. They felt that Continental offered a healthy mix of preparing their students socially and emotionally, as well as offering diverse curricular excellence, which prepared them well for high school, college, and careers. They praised the administrators for open communication, attention to parents’ needs, and always taking care of little things. Community partnerships especially stated that Continental is eager to connect students with “the science in their backyard”. A representative from The Rotary Club admitted, “The first time I set foot on this campus, I felt something special here--and I constantly travel across the country to different campuses. This one is my favorite.” They spoke for forty minutes answering the question, “Why is Continental an A+ school?” and they spoke the word respect over and over. Two former parents whose kids were long gone still volunteered every week just to be on the campus they loved. Finally, a parent came up to us afterwards and agreed that this had been the most bucket-filling, energizing meeting she’d ever attended. Most of the parents and community members had not heard other people’s positive stories as to why Continental was that amazing. A judge recommended that they get together and do this again at the school on their own. Before they left, they had a breakfast set up for the next week to meet in the library and share more positive stories. Each participant summed up the school in one word: “Awesome, Proactive, Resilient, Nurturing, Attentive, Family, Addictive, and Delicious.”

And like many delicious red apples, every school has something not quite perfect. During the exit meeting, the administration proved that they were well aware of minor problems. They had their figurative fingers on the pulse of the school, and like all excellent administrators, they were working on solutions and improvements. During our meeting, Mrs. Cuevas said that the school was based on teamwork, trust, and a “let’s do it” attitude. The judges asked them what about the school they were most proud of. Mrs. Cuevas said through tears that the cohesiveness, shared decision-making, and the enthusiasm on campus drove her passions. Mr. Lathen then said through tears that he was most proud of Mrs. Cuevas, how she grew the school, and what an amazing principal she was.

Overall, Continental was an excellent school that meets the needs of the community, families, and staff and students. They go above and beyond to support everyone and ensure students are successful academically. The judges highly recommend the AEF A+ School of Excellence Award for Continental Elementary School."