For the second time, Desert Vista High School has earned the A+ School of Excellence™ Award from the Arizona Educational Foundation*. This comprehensive school assessment program recognizes public schools in Arizona in the areas of student focus and support, school culture, active teaching and learning, curriculum, leadership, community and parent involvement and assessment data.
Desert Vista staff, students and community members worked collaboratively to participate in an extensive application process which included a rigorous site visit by a team o trained judges. The panel includes award-winning principals, teachers and community leaders.
“The A+ School of Excellence™ program celebrates outstanding schools throughout Arizona and calls attention to the positive stories and successes occurring in public schools,” explained AEF Executive Director, Bobbie O’Boyle. “We applaud these schools for doing whatever it takes to meet their students’ needs and achieving overall success despite some of the challenges that face the education community statewide.”
“We are thrilled and honored to have earned the A+ School of Excellence award. We work hard as a community in all facets of our school and it is such a satisfying, validating and wonderful feeling to know that other educators recognize and confirm the success of our hard work and dedication,” said DV Principal Dr. Christine Barela. “We are appreciative of the process and opportunity that the Arizona Educational Foundation has put in place for schools. It is wonderful to highlight the great contributions of schools!”
Established in 1995, Desert Vista’s motto is “Excellence through Performance.” It is an “A” rated school by the Arizona Department of Education. DV will receive $500 and a banner designating it as an A+ School of Excellence™ winner. All staff and faculty will be eligible for partial scholarships from Argosy University Phoenix. The award is valid for three-and-a-half years.
Five Tempe Union high schools have earned this prestigious award and Desert Vista is the third TUHSD school to receive the award twice: Desert Vista (2017, 2011); McClintock (2016, 2012); Mountain Pointe (2014, 2010); Corona del Sol (2014); and Tempe (2014).
*A+ School of Excellence is a trademark or service mark of the Arizona Educational Foundation and is used by permission.
Source: Tempe Union High School District.