The 2016 A+ School of Excellence winning schools and principals are:

• Andersen Jr. High School, Chandler (Chandler Unified District), Jim Anderson
• Brinton Elementary School, Mesa (Mesa Unified District), Dr. Patricia Estes
• Canyon Springs STEM Academy, Phoenix (Deer Valley Unified District), Tricia Graham
• CAVIT (Central Arizona Valley Institute of Technology), Coolidge (CAVIT), Mike Glover
• Chaparral High School, Scottsdale (Scottsdale Unified District), Gayle Holland
• Circle Cross Ranch K-8 STEM Academy, Florence (Florence Unified District), Rebecca Hendry
• Cochise Elementary School, Scottsdale (Scottsdale Unified District), Sheila Miller
• Combs High School, San Tan Valley (J.O. Combs Unified District), Brenda Mayberry
• Copper Ridge School, Scottsdale (Scottsdale Unified District), Dr. Michelle Otstot
• Copperwood Elementary School, Glendale (Peoria Unified District), Dr. Michael Crudder
• Corona Foothills Middle School, Tucson (Vail Unified District), Margaret Steuer
• Desert Edge High School, Goodyear (Agua Fria Union HS District), Julie Jones
• Encanto School, Phoenix (Osborn Elementary District), Dr. Michael Robert
• Flowing Wells Jr. High School, Tucson (Flowing Wells Unified District), Dr. Kimberley Parkinson
• Gavilan Peak School, Anthem (Deer Valley Unified District), Chad Segersten
• Hohokam Traditional School, Scottsdale (Scottsdale Unified District), Chuck Rantala
• Ironwood Elementary School, Casa Grande (Casa Grande Elementary District), Jennifer McClintic
• Kyrene de la Mirada, Chandler (Kyrene Elementary District), Nancy Branch
• Kyrene de las Brisas Elementary School, Chandler (Kyrene Elementary District), Christie Winkelmann
• Las Sendas Elementary School, Mesa (Mesa Unified District), Aaron Kaczmarek
• Legend Springs Elementary School, Glendale (Deer Valley Unified District), Jennifer Minor
• McClintock High School, Tempe (Tempe Union High School District), Derek Hoffland
• Morenci High School, Morenci (Morenci Unified District), Bryan Boling
• Mountain View High School, Mesa (Mesa Unified District), Greg Milbrandt
• Navajo Elementary School, Scottsdale (Scottsdale Unified District), Amy Moore
• Park Elementary School, Holbrook (Holbrook Unified School District), Connie McPherson
• Pioneer Elementary School, Gilbert (Gilbert Unified District), Mike Davis
• Riggs Elementary School, Gilbert (Chandler Unified District), Janis Weyenberg
• Sahuarita High School, Sahuarita (Sahuarita Unified District), Kent Thompson
• San Marcos Elementary School, Chandler (Chandler Unified District), Dr. Becky Henderson
• Scott Libby Elementary School, Litchfield Park (Litchfield Elementary District), Rachelle Morris
• Shepherd Jr. High School, Mesa (Mesa Unified District), Eileen Cahoon
• Smith Jr. High School, Mesa (Mesa Unified District), Casey Eagleburger
• Stetson Hills School, Phoenix (Deer Valley Unified District), Amy Jorgensen-Staples
• Summit Academy, Chandler (Mesa Unified District), Mark Andrews
• Taft Elementary School, Mesa (Mesa Unified District), Russell Heath
• Val Vista Lakes Elementary School, Gilbert (Gilbert Unified District), Patrick Miller
• Western Sky Middle School, Litchfield Park (Litchfield Elementary District), Tami Garrett
• Westwood High School, Mesa (Mesa Unified District), Shawn Lynch
• Whitman Elementary School, Mesa (Mesa Unified District), Andrea Erickson

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.

Applications are made available to pre-kindergarten through 12th grade public schools statewide. Evaluation of schools is based on a lengthy written application submitted by the school and rigorous site visit conducted by a team of trained judges. In the application, each school provides demographic information, a description of current programs and practices, documentation of parent and community involvement, and a profile of the school’s principal and the school community’s commitment to excellence, equity, service and sustained high achievement. Preparation of each school’s application involves collaboration among all stakeholders including students, faculty, staff, administrators and community members.

Schools receive $500 and a banner designating them as an A+ School of Excellence™ winner. All staff and faculty at the award-winning schools will be eligible for partial scholarships from Argosy University Phoenix. The award is valid for three and a half years. Recognition through the A+ School of Excellence™ program can help increase confidence in Arizona’s public schools and create greater parent and community support.