Highlights

AZ Academy 2015-2016 Highlights

Continued with development and implementation of a rigorous common core inspired curriculum
Developed a new action plan that focuses on best practices, standards, assessment, and the resources needed to support increased student achievement
Hosted the STX Big Island Adventure Camp @ AZ for the 6^th summer in a row
Offered 3 diplomas, and had 5 ‘Class of 2016’ graduates who received over $100,000 in scholarships
Hosted the 14^th Annual Fall Festival
Offered 25 after school programs and clubs, like dance, Lego builder’s club, homework helpers, Mine Craft club, gardening, guitar lessons, and more
Added sports back to after school programs, with cross country, volleyball, track and field, wrestling, and boxing offered this year; developed PE program to include Cross Fit, field trips, and swimming
Expanded music program to all grade levels so that everyone has the opportunity to explore their musical talent
Added an intervention/enrichment period to the school schedule to address students individual needs
Hired a 2^nd Learning Support Specialist to serve students with special needs

AZ Academy 2014-2015 Highlights

Froze tuition rates for the 5^th year in a row and issued educational vouchers to further aid families
Continued Implementation of a rigorous standards-based learning curriculum with a focus on reading, writing, and mathematic expectations that are aligned across grade levels
Implemented a 3 year action plan that focuses on best practices, standards, assessment, and the resources needed to support increased student achievement
Earned 2^nd place ribbon at the Griculture & Food Fair for our educational exhibit in the K-12 category
Served the community through the AZ Enrichment Center, a free after school program which supports 3^rd – 8^th grade students academically, socially, and emotionally, which was funded by (LEPC)
Hosted the STX Big Island Adventure Camp @ AZ for the 5^th summer in a row
oSent 11 students and chaperones to Antigua, Guatemala for 10 days to complete a service learning project at a prosthetics factory, Transitions Foundation
Took 4^th place in the Kid Wind Challenge, a competition which featured student designed wind turbines
Offered 3 diplomas, and had 8 ‘Class of 2015’ graduates who received over $100,000 in scholarshipsoHosted the 13^th Annual Fall Festival and the 6^th Annual Jail or Bail
Offered 25 after school programs and clubs, like archery, volleyball, jewelry making, Mine Craft club, gardening, animation club, and more

AZ Academy 2012-2013 Highlights

Received re-accreditation certificate by Middle States Association for the next 7 years using the gold standard protocol “Excellence by Design”
Froze tuition rates for the 3rd year in a row and issued educational vouchers to further aid families expense
Continued implementation of a rigorous standards-based learning curriculum with a focus on reading, writing, and mathematic expectations that are aligned across grade levels
Began implementing a 2 year action plan that focuses on best practices, standards, assessment, and the resources needed to support increased student achievements
Completed implementing The School Counselor’s Guidance: Guidance Curriculum that is based on the American School Counselor Association National Standards
Distributed iPads to all staff members and students in grades 5-12th
Developed a 2 year technology action plan to promote technology integration in the classroom and to support infrastructure development
Started using blogs and social media to communicate with AZ families and the community (azvi.org/newsblog)
Earned Honorable Mention at the Agriculture & Food Fair for our educational exhibit in the K-12 category.
Chartered a troop for the Boys Scout of America
Continued to serve the community through the AZ Enrichment Center, a free after school program which supports 3rd-8th grade students academically, socially, and emotionally as they enter adolescence. (A federally-funded 21st Century Community Learning Center)
Hosted the STX Big Island Adventure Camp @ AZ Academy for the 3rd year

AZ Academy 2011-2012 Highlights

Continued to serve the community through the AZ Enrichment Center, an after school program which serves 5th – 8th grade students academically, socially, and emotionally as they enter adolescence
Enhanced visual and performing art programs to further cultivate the creative mind, including the introduction of an art history curriculum to the high school course offerings
Implemented a rigorous standards-based learning curriculum with a focus on reading, writing, and mathematic expectations that are aligned across grade levels
Began phase two of implementing The School Counselor’s Guidance: Guidance Curriculum that is based on the American School Counselor Association National Standards
Equipped staff members with the skills necessary to address reading challenges with extensive Orton-Gillingham training
Successfully completed the Middle States Associations re-accreditation process using a gold standard protocol called “Excellence by Design”, which focuses on increasing student achievement and fostering a planning ethic
Developed 7 year goals and benchmarks, as well as 2 year action plans for growing reading, writing, mathematics, personal growth, citizenship and planning
Added an academic intervention coordinator to the guidance program staff to meet students’ needs
Distributed iPads to staff and students in grades 5-12th and developed a plan to promote usage in the classroom

AZ Academy 2010-2011 Highlights

Expanded after school programs to offer 16 new classes for students of all ages with offerings including archery, jump rope, golf, football, basketball, Xbox sports and dance, and many more
Continued to serve the community through the AZ Enrichment Center, an after school program which serves 5th and 6th grade students academically, socially, and emotionally as they enter adolescence
Enhanced visual and performing art programs to further cultivate the creative mind
Adopted rigorous standards from California and implemented a curriculum with a focus on reading, writing, and mathematic expectations that are aligned across grade levels
Introduced a hands-on science program with the addition of a student built Exploratorium of projects that model scientific principles
Began phase one of implementing The School Counselor’s Guidance: Guidance Curriculum that is based on the American School Counselor Association National Standards
Implemented the use of on-line college preparatory and career curriculum
Equipped staff members with the skills necessary for facilitating the success of students with special needs through Applied Behavior Analysis and other forms of training
Strengthened Board of Directors and committee activity to drive school leadership and governance
Began the re-accreditation process using a gold standard protocol called “Excellence by Design”, which focuses on increasing student achievement and fostering a planning ethic
Added an exciting new event, AZ Quest, that showcases student projects, artwork, music performances, and classroom experiential learning
Offered 6 full tuition scholarships and financial assistance to 29 families based on need and student merit