A+ School of Excellence Archive
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Pueblo Elementary School
About this DesignationYou can certainly feel the positive culture wherever you are on campus. We were able to observe common areas (playground, hallways, café, etc.) as well as classrooms. Expectations are clear and students follow them. Every student is greeted as they enter campus (almost all of them by name). The principal is highly respected by the staff and community for her leadership and openness to new ideas. As we visited classrooms, engagement was high and instruction was strong almost everywhere. Students were respectful of the adults and didn’t seem phased at all by new visitors coming in to observe. They engaged with each other and with their teacher. It is obvious that Kagan routines are embedded and students knew expectations as soon as the routine was named.
- Most Recent Year: 2020
- Year Spans: 2020-2024
- District: Crane School District #13
- City: Yuma
- County: Yuma
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Santan Elementary School
- Most Recent Year: 2017
- Year Spans: 2017-2021
- District: Chandler Unified School District
- City: Gilbert
- County: Maricopa
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Biltmore Preparatory Academy
About this DesignationBiltmore Preparatory Academy is a hidden gem that works like a pride of "tigres" to prepare students to become biliterate leaders and global citizens. The community honors its history as the former Squaw Peak Elementary School yet continues to cast a vision forward to serve K-8 grade students with a dual language, Spanish Immersion program and 1:1 technology. Although this is Biltmore Prep's first attempt at the A+ School of Excellence process, the school's practices are consistent habits of excellence with students leading and engaging in meaningful experiences within and outside of the school day.
*Collaborative Close-Knit Community: From over 86% open-enrollment that choose to learn and thrive here, parents volunteering 20 plus hours per year, 4th grade partnership with Colegio Regis in Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico, to a veteran staff that is passionate about their students and use tangibles like data and daily observations to find unique ways to support all students under their care in two languages
*Positive Approach to Post-Pandemic Protocol Culture: From quarterly post cards home, Tiger Shout-Outs, connecting with families with afterschool activities and as volunteers, weekly parent emails, open door policy, to doing whatever it takes with ""Tiger Pride"" and do ""What is best for kids!""
*Team ""Tigers!"" From no one ever saying, ""It's not my problem,"" ""Everyone's heart is in the right place,"" ""Our students are special,"" ""We are here to work together, and resources are shared,"" to ""Think(ing) outside of the box for (our) kids.... nothing is off the table for how we support and collaborate...all hands on deck and people step up!""
- Most Recent Year: 2023
- Year Spans: 2023-2027
- District: Creighton Elementary School District
- City: Phoenix
- County: Maricopa
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Santan Junior High School
- Most Recent Year: 2017
- Year Spans: 2013-2016, 2017-2021
- District: Chandler Unified School District
- City: Chandler
- County: Maricopa
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Shumway Elementary School
- Most Recent Year: 2019
- Year Spans: 1992-1997, 2019-2023
- District: Chandler Unified School District
- City: Chandler
- County: Maricopa
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T. Dale Hancock Elementary School
About this DesignationT. Dale Hancock Elementary is being honored with the prestigious A+ Award from the Arizona Educational Foundation, a testament to its strong culture of collaboration, dedication, and family-like support. The school’s commitment to teamwork is evident through its consistent and effective Professional Learning Communities (PLCs), ensuring student success through shared expertise and innovation. Prioritizing the whole child, Hancock Elementary fosters both academic and social-emotional growth, with a campus-wide emphasis on well-being, including calming corners that create a nurturing environment for all learners. This award reflects the unwavering dedication of the entire Hancock community to excellence, inclusion, and student-centered learning.
- Most Recent Year: 2025
- Year Spans: 2010-2013, 2014-2017, 2018-2022, 2025-2029
- District: Chandler Unified School District
- City: Chandler
- County: Maricopa
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Tarwater Elementary School
- Most Recent Year: 2014
- Year Spans: 2009-2012, 2014-2017
- District: Chandler Unified School District
- City: Chandler
- County: Maricopa
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Weinberg Elementary School
- Most Recent Year: 1985
- Year Spans: 1985-1988
- District: Chandler Unified School District
- City: Gilbert
- County: Maricopa
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Willie & Coy Payne Junior High School
- Most Recent Year: 2017
- Year Spans: 2013-2016, 2017-2021
- District: Chandler Unified School District
- City: Queen Creek
- County: Pinal
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Willis Junior High School
- Most Recent Year: 1994
- Year Spans: 1983-1986, 1994-1997
- District: Chandler Unified School District
- City: Chandler
- County: Maricopa