Star Schools 
These North Valley schools make the grade in and out of the classroom in Arizona
NORTHWEST CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
16401 N. 43rd Ave., Phoenix
(602) 978-5134
northwestchristianschool.org
Northwest Christian School is a private nondenominational Christian school whose mission is to provide a Bible-based program of education that develops in students a Christian worldview. NCS’s educational program upholds a high standard of scholastic and behavioral excellence, furnishes instruction in Bible-based faith, and prepares students to lead good, purposeful lives in the home, the church, their country, and the world.
A traditional curriculum is offered to students in kindergarten through fifth grade. , The program features a strong base in phonics, mathematics, writing, history, English, and science and also includes daily Bible study. Technology integration increases yearly through at the elementary levels. Classrooms are equipped with integrated iPads and computers for student research, skill development, computer-based accelerated learning, and innovative educational projects. As students enter middle school and emerge as critical thinkers, community involvement that will affect change in the world is emphasized and the mechanics and responsibilities for this involvement are addressed. In addition to traditional subject areas, a variety of electives are offered at each level, including Spanish, technology, photography, and physical education. At Northwest Christian High School, students are taught a rigorous curriculum that enhances and expands upon their core knowledge and combines with a variety of electives and athletic opportunities to further learners’ skill sets. For more information, visit northwestchristianschool.org.
ARIZONA SCHOOL FOR THE ARTS
1410 N. 3rd St., Phoenix
(602) 257-1444
goasa.org
Arizona School for the Arts was founded in 1995 and has since established itself as an innovative nonprofit charter school. Currently serving over 800 students in fifth through 12th grade, ASA embraces and encourages artistic creativity and academic excellence. Their nationally recognized college preparatory and performing arts education is set in a uniquely challenging and nurturing environment and focuses on individual growth, opportunity, and diversity.
U.S. News and World Report calls ASA “an education powerhouse.” The school has earned and maintained an “excelling” school status, the highest rating possible from the state and federal government, since 2003. It was also recognized in 2005 by the U.S. Department of Education as a Blue Ribbon School.
The uniqueness of the ASA experience lies with the teachers and staff. All teachers hold a minimum of a bachelor’s degree for the content area in which they teach. The majority of the faculty holds advanced degrees. The arts instructors are both teachers and active professional artists in their field.
ASA has a rigorous academic curriculum with core classes in math, science, English, and social studies. Middle school students also take piano and life-skills classes, and high school students study either French or Spanish. Between 98 percent to 100 percent of ASA sophomores meet or exceed standards on all portions of Arizona’s Instrument to Measure Standards (AIMS). In addition to its own on-campus music, dance, and theater programs, ASA has established key partnerships with over a dozen of the Valley’s most renowned cultural and performing arts organizations in order to provide programs of distinction in the performing arts to Arizona students. For more information, visit goasa.org.
CAMELBACK DESERT SCHOOL
9606 E. Kalil Dr., Scottsdale
(480) 451-3130
camelbackdesertschool.com
Camelback Desert Elementary School offers strong academics and personalized attention. The well-rounded curriculum helps children in second through fifth grade master the core academics while developing important skills such as creativity, problem solving, and collaboration. Students also enjoy a full array of specialty classes that include art, music, PE, foreign language, and technology.
Camelback Desert’s academic curriculum for the core subjects includes language arts, mathematics, social studies, science, foreign language, and the arts. The coursework was developed by Nobel Learning to be rigorous and challenging and to meet or exceed state and national standards. Each teacher has a curriculum binder for all core subjects, including pacing guides to provide content for each marking period. The curriculum sets the framework for the content being taught, but it’s the skilled teachers who customize the lessons and the subject matter to meet the needs of their students. They look for opportunities to enrich the curriculum when students need more challenge or additional instruction.
An NIPSA accredited school, Camelback Desert’s small class sizes contribute to unparalleled personal learning experiences for each child. Teachers work closely with parents and students to make learning fun, stimulating, and meaningful. They take advantage of the rich resources in the area to bring the curriculum to life through well-curated field trips to the Phoenix Symphony, Arizona Science Center, Hall of Flame Museum of Firefighting, Desert Botanical Gardens, and other cultural landmarks.
The campus features a large sports field, a sports court, two pools, two playgrounds, an art studio, and a new media lab and library. They all enable enjoyable activities and enrichment opportunities to take place before and after school right on campus. For more information, visit camelbackdesertschool.com.
NORTH VALLEY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
42101 N. 41st Dr., Anthem
(623) 551-3454
northvalleyca.org
North Valley Christian Academy is a private Christian independent school whose goal is to provide students an education based upon academic excellence and biblical values. Carefully selected curriculum academically challenges preschool, elementary, and middle school students and upholds the Christian standards they seek to develop.
Along with utilizing a core education program in the traditional liberal arts, NCVA has integrated the nationally recognized Core Knowledge curriculum into an overall program of education that prepares students for the 21st century and includes building life skills, relational skills, technology skills, and critical-thinking skills. These areas of learning are complemented by opportunities in athletics, music, and the fine arts.
Recently, NVCA moved into a top-notch facility in Anthem that includes outstanding educational facilities with innovative computer and science labs, campus Wi-Fi, and a high-tech security system equipped with 24/7 video monitoring. Technology is a top priority at NVCA: preschool through eighth-grade classrooms are equipped with Smart Boards and iPads.
The school is proud to announce its partnership with Play-Well TEKnologies. From August 5 through 9, students from ages 5 through 12 can participate in a LEGO Engineering Enrichment Camp at NVCA that provides students real-world concepts in physics, engineering, and architecture through engineer-designed projects such as arch bridges, skyscrapers, motorized cars, and the LEGO Battletrack. Students may register for this innovative program at play-Bewell.org[K1] . For more information on NVCA, visit northvalleyca.org.
SCOTTSDALE COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL
10460 N. 56th St., Scottsdale
(480) 452-5777
scdsaz.com
Scottsdale Country Day School provides a broad and balanced curriculum to students entering kindergarten through sixth grade. With a maximum of 20 students in each class, students are afforded individualized attention and are educated, enthused, and empowered every single day. Dedicated to educational excellence, the faculty and staff at SCDS nurture the growth in young people and encourage respect, responsibility, vision, and individuality.
The curriculum developed at SCDS embodies a core mission to expand the boundaries of individual potential. The school incorporates all the fundamentals required for students to excel academically and socially but what sets SCDS apart is that it tailors its programs to meet each students’ individual needs. In the SCDS learning model, students engage in academic opportunities in the classroom and outside the core curriculum to instill intellectual curiosity. Grounded by a solid core foundation, this balance of rigor and possibility is what makes SCDS unique. By the end of their time at SCDS, students have a breadth of learning on which to build on for middle school success and beyond.
SCDS’s approach appeals to parents on many different levels, many of whom write and exalt the education their children receive. Says one parent, “With great teachers and administration, this charter school checks all of the boxes! Mandarin, Spanish, music, art, PE, and etiquette complement a rigorous academic program!” Another parent states “Scottsdale Country Day School has more than exceeded the standards necessary to prepare my child to attend and be accepted into a college preparatory high school and allow him to grow into a well-rounded child. This is our second year at this wonderful school, and my child has progressed academically and socially. Because of the smaller class size, the teachers willingly differentiate instruction.”
For a private tour of the facility call 480-452-577. To learn more about SCDS, visit scdsaz.com.