The A+ School of Excellence™ Program
is a comprehensive school assessment program that celebrates
outstanding schools and brings to light the positive stories and
successes happening in public schools every day.
HIGHLIGHTS:
· Schools
submit applications that provide demographic information, a description
of current programs and practices, documentation of parent and
community involvement, a profile of the school’s leadership and
commitment to excellence, equity, service.
· Schools must demonstrate sustained high achievement or significant improvement through assessment data.
· Winning
schools are recognized for their superior ability to identify and meet
the academic and non-academic needs of their student population.
· The
selection panel includes award-winning principals, teachers and
community leaders. Panel members conduct pre-arranged site visits to
selected schools throughout the state in order to choose A+ School of
Excellence™ award winners. Schools that receive site visits are provided
with information in advance to prepare for the site visit.
REWARDS:
· The
designation and recognition itself can create greater parent and
community involvement and confidence in schools that win the award.
· Internally,
the process of completing the very comprehensive A+ School of
Excellence™ application allows schools to identify and address
challenges, generate new support from the community and business
partners, increase student and parent pride, validate school programs
and accomplishments, and re-energize staff, students, and parents.
· Each
school receives $500 and a banner designating it as an A+ School of
Excellence™. All staff and faculty at awarded schools are eligible for
partial scholarships from Argosy University/Phoenix: 20% for a Master’s
degree and 15% for both Undergraduate and Doctoral degrees.
· Schools
that earn the A+ School of Excellence™ designation retain their status
for a 3 and 1/2 – year period after which time they must reapply for
the award.