A+ School of Excellence Archive

"The staff at Harelson Elementary is deeply committed to its students and the broader community. The school’s traditions have endured through periods of transition, and staff have proactively prepared to welcome new students and educators from a closing school while honoring the traditions of both communities. Parents consistently praise the responsiveness of teachers and describe a strong sense of partnership supported by clear, real-time communication.

Harelson is an older school, and teachers take great pride in creating classroom spaces that are warm and welcoming. Common words shared by both staff and parents to describe Harelson include loved, community, family, inclusion, teamwork, and fun. Parents note that teachers meet students where they are and actively support their growth. Harelson also has a high percentage of open enrollment, with families from across the city choosing to attend the school."

"Desert Edge High School, led by principal Julie Jones and her administrative team, is a school full of pride, energy, and excellence. This was evident during the A+ evaluation team’s virtual visit on September 21-22. There are many schools which purport to utilize and exemplify the rigor and relevance framework based on a foundation built on the strength of the relationships between adults and students. However, Desert Edge not only exemplifies these principles, but also continues to emerge with a voice unto itself. Combining a shared vision and an open, communicative decision-making process, the faculty and staff of Desert Edge work hand in hand with their parents and community at large, and make it a point to demonstrate excellence at every turn rather than just speak it. This all underlines the true strength of the school, underscored by the caliber of the student body. As one staff member put it, they are the driving force behind every decision made. They are the reason why the staff shows up every day, even and especially in these trying times, and the reason why parents continually choose Desert Edge over other excellent schools.

Ms. Jones is a force of nature, and her pride in her student and staff accomplishments overrides any sense of vanity someone in her position might have. It was evident in speaking with all groups that she is a leader instead of a boss; someone who would rather experience the shared joy of a group victory than gather personal accolades to herself at the expense of others. The mantra of “WE ‘R’ DE” to underscore the three R’s of the school – rigor, relevance, and relationships – is the pulse of the daily activities. Ms. Jones’ leadership has been instrumental in low teacher turnover, a tremendous indicator of personnel who wish to stay involved in an amazing system. We look forward to the amazing things still to come in the ever-expanding Desert Edge index of achievement."

Cross deserves the A+ School of Excellence distinction because of the outstanding legacy of quality relationships they have established with their students, staff, and greater community. Cross is breaking the mold of what a traditional middle school should look like. Students are trusted and respected to make courageous decisions, and it shows in every way from their day-to-day interactions with each other to the incredible choices and flexibility they have with their schedules.