PHX Reporter

Many schools within the PVSchools district offer gardens and outdoor areas where students can engage in hands-on learning experiences. These activities help students understand plant life, healthy living, time management, and the growth process of living things.

Parents observe their children growing and developing as they progress through school. Students expand their interests, friendships, abilities, and gain confidence and wisdom over time.

Growth is a key objective for both students and schools. This can be measured by increased enrollment in honors classes or specialty programs such as Journey and Quest, CREST and STEM, NVAA, fine arts strands, and CTE. Additionally, more students enrolling in college or post-secondary opportunities or graduating are indicators of growth.

Student achievement can also be tracked through grades, project sophistication from elementary to high school levels, and performance on various tests. In Arizona, statewide tests at different grade levels emphasize student growth as part of the overall school score. For K-8 schools, growth accounts for 50% of the score based on Student Growth Percentile metrics from assessments in math and English language arts according to the state Department of Education. High school evaluations include college readiness, career readiness, graduation rates, and improvements therein.

Several schools consistently achieve high scores. Boulder Creek Elementary School Bobcats were recognized with an A-rating in 2023 for having the highest percentage among all K-8 traditional schools in Arizona with a score of 103.82%. This year they maintained their top position with an improved score of 104.50%.

Anne Greenberg stated: “It’s a testament to the teachers, staff, parents, and most certainly students at Boulder Creek that they understand that there are always new heights to be achieved even when it appears one has reached the pinnacle.”

The commitment to fostering a growth mindset is evident across all PVSchools thanks to dedicated staff and parents working together to support student development.

On behalf of the Governing Board,

Anne Greenberg

President