Education

from North Phoenix News, September 2022

Real Estate

DVUSD Students Receive Safety Award

Photos Courtesy of Deer Valley Unified School District

Congratulations to Aneesa Zerarka and Aaron Kroeger for being the fi rst ever recipients of the Deer Valley Unifi ed School District’s Excellence in Safety Award. These two student athletes leapt into action on the fi rst day of school, coming to the aid of a fellow classmate experiencing a medical emergency. As members of the Boulder Creek High School swim team and certifi ed lifeguards, they knew just what to do.

Partner with a Principal Program

Business and community leaders will be on their way back to school for the Partner with a Principal program.

During the weeks of Sept. 19 through Oct. 14, local corporate executives and community leaders will work alongside Phoenix public, charter, and private school principals to actively participate in the school’s administration for one day. After experiencing the life of a school principal for a day, the principals and their executive counterparts will discuss how local businesses, community leaders, and schools can form lasting partnerships to improve the quality of education, workplace readiness, and leadership development programs in Phoenix.

Last year, 29 businesses partnered with 10 Phoenix school districts and three charter schools. Local businesses invested in Phoenix schools and provided resources to students such as science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM) opportunities.

The city of Phoenix’s goal is to build connections between city services, community resources, and public schools to ensure Phoenix students succeed in school, life, and career. While the city of Phoenix does not deliver K-12 education services, the support it provides to students and families can make the diff erence between academic failure and success.

To learn more about the Partner with a Principal program, visit phoenix.gov/ education.

Education News from Ridgeline Academy High School and Elementary Campuses

RIDGELINE ACADEMY HIGH SCHOOL MOVES TO NEW CAMPUS

While the search continues for land to build a campus of its own, Ridgeline Academy’s temporary middle and high school campus opens this fall in the building formerly occupied by Anthem Prep near Daisy Mountain Drive and Gavilan Peak Parkway.

More space for its growing student body in grades seventh through 12th, better classroom space, a dedicated gymnasium/drama and production space, a library, outdoor space, and a sports fi eld, along with space to house a new preschool and daycare this fall, are some of the highlights School Director Keven Barker points out.

Ridgeline Academy, a tuition-free public charter school, had been operating its upper school out of a temporary campus along 41st Drive in Anthem for the last two years, but has quickly outgrown the space. Barker says Ridgeline will sublet the campus from Anthem Prep for the 2022-23 school year, with a promise of two additional years to continue the lease.

In addition to core classes, the high school off ers honors and dual enrollment courses, foreign language, fi ne and performing arts, technology, forensics, social sciences, and more. Sports off erings include football, volleyball, basketball, cross country, soccer, baseball, softball, and track and fi eld.

For more information, visit ridgelineacademy.org.

RIDGELINE K-6 WELCOMES NEW PRINCIPAL

Bonnie Perry, who served as Ridgeline Academy’s intervention specialist for the past two years, has been named principal of the K-6 school.

Perry brings fi ve years of educational leadership to the role, in addition to nearly a decade of teaching experience in grades K-12.

“I think what I am most looking forward to in my service here at Ridgeline is linking arms with like-minded educators and families to ensure we meet every student right where they are and amass a collective eff ort in order to move them toward where and who they want to become,” Perry says of her new role.

“There is such power, love and joy that come from working as a team in a collective eff ort to do and be better. Ridgeline embodies that,” she says..