A+ School of Excellence Archive

Cienega High School is a representation of what schools strive for: that magic combination of academic excellence, a united student community, and a constituency which not only supports the day-to-day operations that we associate with a school, but which has also embraced Cienega as a vital and irreplaceable component to the Vail community at large. From its strong academic offerings including dual enrollment and Advanced Placement coursework, to its heavy support for students in special education and their varied and diverse needs, Cienega High School is a student-centered organization which strives each day to offer the best educational experience it can for each of its students and staff. The Building Trades Program is a feature of the school, offering professional level experience and opportunities for skill application in the real world to its students, as well as contributing to the community building completely functional houses. If there was one common denominator amongst all constituent groups we spoke to, it was that the entire community supports each other in all of its diverse aspects, and that Cienega is not seen as simply an institution where students earn an education, but a place where they learned to become contributing adults to the greater community. It was our pleasure to visit, and our honor to recognize Cienega High School as a recipient of the A+ Award of Excellence.

The A+ Judging team enthusiastically recommends Cottonwood Elementary for the A+ School of Excellence recognition. From the moment the judging team entered campus, we felt WELCOMED, INCLUDED and a part of the Cottonwood COMMUNITY. The POSITIVE culture and PASSION of the Cottonwood FAMILY, permeates the campus and the judges were able to sense that students all felt VALUED, LOVED and CARED about. During the student meeting, every VOICE was heard from and all students indicated there was a CARING adult on campus they could TRUST if they had a problem or challenge. Visiting classrooms, the judges saw evidence of HIGH EXPECTATIONS, a FOCUS on teaching and students engaged and INVOLVED in the learning. COLLABORATION as a TEAM was evident across classrooms as PURPOSEFUL lessons, aligned and RIGOROUS activities engaged students of all different skills and abilities. Multiple adults were on campus and in classrooms to support and differentiate for student access to the learning. Over twenty classified paraprofessionals on campus and both teachers and paraprofessionals shared how every adult on campus is EMPOWERED to be a LEADER and provided the tools, SUPPORT and ACCOUNTABILITY to make a difference for the kids and show GROWTH towards meeting the standards. Over and over again, the judging team heard references to “OUR kids” as they shared how INVESTED they are in NURTURING and loving all students. Parents shared their perspective of how “kids want to come to school” even on the weekends because of the warmth and compassion they feel from the teachers and adults on campus. “Teachers even know things about my kids who don’t even attend Cottonwood yet” shared a parent as she went on to explain how it shows the teachers INVEST in kids and her family. The feeling of being a part of something larger was shared over and over again. Staff members “love coming to work” as there is a sense of BELONGING and FAMILY. Multiple times, the judges heard how the CULTURE and climate of Cottonwood starts with Principal Bates and her “amazing communication”, “open door policy”, “ solution centered focus” and how she “strives for excellence.” One teacher described how everyone on campus is EMPOWERED to be a LEADER because there is a “clear vision and it is not about who is in charge, it is about the kids.” Another teacher shared how everyone is “all in, all the time.” Staff feel MOTIVATED, APPRECIATED, RESPECTED and they have FUN working together as a Cottonwood FAMILY to be CONNECTED to the community. The Cottonwood A+ application begins with a reference to the Cottonwood tree and how Cottonwood elementary “stands as a place of strength and resilience for our students, staff and community, all of which are loved and supported under the tree’s canopy of heart shaped leaves.” Evidence of this statement and more were felt and seen by the A+ judging team and we are proud and excited to welcome Principal Bates and Cottonwood Elementary into the A+ School of Excellence family.

At Desert Willow, there is an overall sense of community and pride among the staff & students. The connections that the teachers and faculty at Desert Willow create with the students are to be commended. There is a sense of caring by all students and stakeholders. Desert Willow is data driven, and have used Beyond Textbooks and Daily Reteach/Enrich to ensure that students have all of the tools to be successful. Many students travel out of their own boundaries to attend Desert Willow. They chose DW because of their positive atmosphere, environment, and dedication to learning. There is genuine trust from all Desert Willow stakeholders. The staff is involved in the lives of their students and takes the time to get to know the students in a way that allows them to make an even bigger impact. It is common for teachers and staff to support their students by showing up to weekend events. Administration has an “open door” policy for staff and students. Words used by parents, students and staff to describe Desert Willow: kind, supportive, holistic, nurturing, inclusive, loving, welcoming, flexible, creative, collaborative, and FAMILY.

"Empire High has put an enormous amount of energy into rebuilding connections on their campus and the outcomes are measurable. As the A+ team visited with staff, students, and parents, each group spoke of the commitment that Empire has to its students. The students spoke of how they feel seen and supported and how a smaller environment allows them to get to know students who might otherwise be outside of their interest groups. What impressed us during our time with the students was how they knew each other by name despite having been invited randomly to meet with us. The staff spoke of the trust the administrators placed in them and how that trust goes a long way in allowing them to do their best work with their students. The parents expressed that they not only appreciated the energy that goes into the students at Empire but specifically that they were amazed by how the staff at the school seems to know every student by name. They felt that they were not only welcomed at the school but invited to be part of their children's experience at Empire.

It was clear from our visit, that not only were these things that stood out to the groups we visited, but also were apparent in the classrooms and campus interactions we observed. Empire's commitment to making sure that students are the heart of the school is apparent throughout the campus."

The A+ Judging team enthusiastically recommends Mesquite Elementary for the A+ School of Excellence recognition. During the visit of the A+ Judges, it was clear through observing students and teachers in and out of the classrooms, meeting with the teachers, parents, classified staff and students that Mesquite is a LIGHTHOUSE of the community. Their INNOVATIVE Chinese Immersion Program, high standards of excellence, relentless commitment to student learning, PARTNERSHIP with parents and community, and dedication to COLLABORATION to ensure every student is VALUED and INCLUDED are a few pieces of evidence highlighting why Mesquite is deserving of the A+ School of Excellence label.

From the moment the judging team entered campus, we felt WELCOMED, INCLUDED and a part of the Mesquite COMMUNITY. The POSITIVE culture and PASSION of the Mesquite FAMILY, permeates the campus and the judges were able to sense that students all felt VALUED, LOVED and CARED about. Visiting classrooms, the judges saw evidence of HIGH EXPECTATIONS, a FOCUS on teaching and students engaged and INVOLVED in the learning. COLLABORATION as a TEAM was evident across classrooms as PURPOSEFUL lessons, aligned and RIGOROUS LEARNING activities engaged students of all different skills and abilities. Multiple adults were on campus and in classrooms to support and differentiate for student access to the learning. Between a team of interventionists and paraprofessionals, students moved fluidly between class and small group intervention and every member of the team was DEDICATED to ensuring UNDERSTANDING of the standards by students during Reteach/Enrich time.

"It is very evident that the entire John B. Wright staff is dedicated to ensuring they are doing everything to meet the needs of their students. The collaborative culture and the sense of pride in their community they have built is amazing. The welcoming staff, beautiful gardens, murals , and the hallways full of student work exhibited that pride. Located in one of the most poverty-stricken neighborhoods in central Tucson, John B. Wright has a very diverse population comprised of 23 different languages and a large migrant population. Despite this,they have created a very community oriented school that embraces and celebrates the different cultures allowing everyone to feel welcome and valued. Their mission of being ""Respectful, Responsible, Safe, and Kind"" is evidenced throughout every aspect of their school. Positive reinforcement through PBIS strategies, Be Kind initiative, Wildcat Bucks, and Trust Cards certainly allows them to live up to their mission.

John B. Wright students are exposed to a rigorous learning environment with high expectations for success. They are immersed in a lot of different activities that meet their individual learning styles. Strategies and skills learned through the structures they put in place through AVID, STEM, OMA, MTSS, and 21st Century tutoring have really helped them to live up to their vision of ""We are future Arizona scientists, artists, engineers and
mathematicians.""

As stated by all members of their community, John B. Wright is like a family. It is a strong community working together with the same purpose of helping their students to experience success."

"It is without hesitation that the A+ Judging team recommends Pantano High School to receive the Arizona Educational Foundation, A+ School of Excellence in Education Award for the 2025-2026 School Year.

Pantano High School is a beacon of hope. PHS is a place for students to thrive and pull together the pieces of their education, one last time to ensure a positive future. This is not just an alternative high school…it is a place where students have his/her needs met physically, emotionally and most of all mentally. Pantano defines a loving, caring family atmosphere where new beginnings happen.

Principal Walko and his staff are among the most dedicated educators I’ve encountered. Isaac has earned the respect of all of his stakeholders and his transparent, servant leadership instills confidence in the community which he serves. A quote from one of Pantanos’ recent graduates captures the spirit of Pantano High Schools leader:

“You’re living proof that kind-hearted people still exist in this world. You take what seems impossible and somehow make it happen. Your role as principal has been so much more than just a title. You’ve inspired us to push forward through every challenge and every setback. You’ve taught us that when something truly matters, excuses have no place. And most of all, you’ve shown us real love and care—for who we are, for what we’re capable of, and for our education.”

Highlights from the visit include 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 Pantano are true champions for each and every student as well as for each other.

Pantano High School 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, Scorpions!"