Making the grade: two Kyrene schools earned A+ status

Celebrating A+ status at Kyrene de las Brisas
Celebrating A+ status at Kyrene de las Brisas

By Diana Whittle

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Generally,  it’s students who brag to their families about earning an A+. Now, the district can boast of the same high marks for two schools—at Kyrene de las Brisas Elementary and Kyrene de la Mirada Elementary. Both recently received their “A+ School of Excellence” designation from the Arizona Educational Foundation for the 2015-16 academic year.

Evaluation of schools is based on a lengthy written application submitted by the school and a rigorous site visit conducted by a team of trained judges. But, before the application was prepared, each school developed mission statements, which involved collaborative efforts among many stakeholders, including students, faculty, staff, administrators and community members.

The mission at Brisas is to “do what’s best for kids to ensure their success,” according to Christine Winkelman, principal.

“We believe it is our responsibility to lead students to become responsible and productive citizens with strong character. We also believe in educating the whole child and take seriously our charge to give students the tools they need for success in the 21st century,” said Winkelman.

According to their application, Brisas students have performed well on all the standardized assessments and even exceeded the AZMerit math scores of students at other Kyrene schools. Both the performance of the students and the teachers are a key reason why their Parent Satisfaction Survey, completed in 2015, said that 95 percent of Brisas families are satisfied with the opportunities at their school.

Located in northwest Chandler, Mirada opened in 1993 and is adjacent to the Intel property, which has allowed a strong partnership between the school and the technology company.

“This partnership has flourished for 23 years,” said Nanch Branch, principal of Mirada, “and focused our direction on building a curriculum that prepares students to have the skills needed for the workforce of the future.”

“Our mission at Mirada is to inspire academic excellence, celebrate strengths, to develop leaders and to honor diversity,” said Branch.

While it’s a tall order, Mirada’s environment is succeeding because the students are given clear academic expectations along with implementing a program called “Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports”.  PBIS stresses that students treat one another with respect, and act responsibly and safely.

“Students at Mirada are taught more than just a strong academic curriculum, but also a strong sense of character and leadership,” said Branch. “In the last five years, our enrollment has grown each year to a high of 616 students this past January.”

Recognition through the A+ School of Excellence program can help increase confidence in Arizona’s public schools and create greater parent and community involvement, said Nancy Dudenhoefer, assistant director of communications and marketing for the district.

Applicant schools are evaluated in the areas of student focus and support, school culture, active teaching and learning, curriculum, leadership, community and parent involvement and assessment data.

“Schools receive $500 and a banner designating it as an A+ School of Excellence  winner, which is valid for three and a half years,” explained Dudenhoefer.

“All staff and faculty at the award-winning schools are eligible for partial scholarships from Argosy University Phoenix.” Other Kyrene schools who are an A+ School of Excellence include Aprende, Pueblo, Cerritos, Mariposa and Kyrene Traditional Academy-Sureño Campus.

The Arizona Educational Foundation is a nonprofit organization that fosters excellence in education by administering statewide programs that enhance the capabilities of Arizona’s schools. AEF has been honoring exemplary pre-kindergarten through 12th grade public schools in Arizona since 1983, as part of its efforts to strengthen the teaching profession, design high quality curricula, stimulate student achievement and celebrate the success of public education in Arizona.

The Kyrene Elementary School District serves more than 17,000 students in kindergarten through eighth grades at 25 schools. The District’s boundaries encompass parts of Tempe, Guadalupe, Ahwatukee, Chandler and the Gila River Indian Reservation.

Each school maintains a website which provides more information about their specific programs.

Information:  kyrene.org  or  480-541-1000.

 

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