Arizona school director Tom Horne announces bill to ban cell phone use in classrooms
Arizona Secretary of Education Tom Horne and education leaders discuss a bill to ban cell phone use in the classroom on August 22, 2024.
The U.S. Department of Education has named six Arizona schools to its 2024 list of National Blue Ribbon Schools.
Since the department’s first award in 1983, more than 9,000 public and private schools have been honored with the award, including about 150 in Arizona. This year’s cohort includes 356 schools that have been recognized as exemplary, high-performing or low-performing schools. Performance is measured by student grades and graduation rates.
The six Arizona schools named National Blue Ribbon Schools in 2024 are:
- BASE Chandler
- Robert Bracker Elementary School in the Nogales Unified School District
- Marc T. Atkinson Middle School in the Cartwright Elementary District (Phoenix)
- Xavier College Preparatory School (Phoenix)
- Arizona Agribusiness and Equine Center (Prescott Valley)
- Shadow Ridge High School in Dysart Unified School District (Surprise)
The three district schools were recognized in both categories, while the private and charter schools were honored for their high performance.
Cedricia Hester, principal of Shadow Ridge, attributed her school’s success to the support of the community and the hard work of her predecessors.
“We all make a difference together on campus, from our maintenance workers to our cafeteria staff to our front desk staff,” Hester said. “We are so happy that our parents give us the opportunity to teach their children, and we don’t take that lightly.”
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In a press release Monday, Cartwright praised the Marc T. Atkinson Gifted Academy programs for providing a personalized learning environment with self-directed projects in which students align their education with their passions.
“Having personally experienced this school’s remarkable environment, I can attest to its commitment to nurturing bright minds and fostering a community of lifelong learners,” said Anna Lynn Abeyta, president of the Cartwright Board of Directors. “This achievement is a tribute to the spirit of innovation and academic excellence that characterize our beloved academy.”
BASIS Chandler, a school for grades 5-12 that is part of one of the state’s largest charter networks, offers students an accelerated STEM and humanities education. Students often take 11 to 12 AP exams before graduating, according to a news release.
“BASIS Chandler has achieved outstanding results since opening in 2011,” said Carolyn McGarvey, CEO of BASIS Ed Arizona. “This school is a true example of our network’s commitment to educational excellence and student success. Congratulations to the students, teachers, staff and families of BASIS Chandler on this well-deserved honor!”
The U.S. Department of Education will officially recognize this year’s Blue Ribbon award winners at a ceremony in Washington, DC in November.
“The 2024 National Blue Ribbon Schools raise the bar for our nation’s students and serve as role models for effective instruction and intentional collaboration in their schools and communities,” U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona said in a press release. “As we celebrate their successes, we should look to these schools for inspiration as we advance education as the foundation for a better future for every child.”
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