A+ season in Vail is a powerful season. It is a reminder of what it really takes to be educators of the highest quality.
This year, Vail celebrates its 43rd A+ School of Excellence with the SEVEN most recent schools named to the list:
Acacia Elementary School
Cienega High School
Desert Willow Elementary School
Empire High School
Esmond Station K-8 School
Mesquite Elementary School
Vail Academy and High School.
This is the first A+ School of Excellence Award for Esmond Station. Each of the other six schools has earned the A+ more than once.
To receive an A+ School of Excellence Award, schools must complete a rigorous application process followed by two days of judges from across the state coming to evaluate each school in person.
A+ eligibility has various requirements including the number of years the school has been open; the number of years the principal has been serving there; the number of years since the last time the school earned it; as well as extreme levels of quality in community involvement, instructional practices, student growth and achievement, leadership, and more.
“Achieving the A+ School of Excellence designation is affirmation of the incredible collaboration among our educators, parents, and community,” John Carruth, VUSD Superintendent. “Together, they have linked arms to create schools where young people can thrive.”
Each school that received an A+ School of Excellence Award will celebrate with a ceremony later this spring.