May 15 was a special day for Self Development Academy (SDA), as the school celebrated its 15th anniversary.
Over the past 15 years, the school has grown tremendously, from a student body of 37 to 450. The campus has expanded, and now includes four buildings, including a Science and Technology Center.
Although the school has developed immensely over the years, certain key aspects have remained consistent, including the commitment to provide and ensure exceptional educational programs to all students. A testament to this commitment is the school’s consistent ranking among the top five Arizona schools.
The academic and extracurricular achievements of former students are another testament to the foundation laid at SDA. Cade Cote, Elizabeth Pierson and Molly Trapp, three former students, spoke during the anniversary festivities. The former students spoke about the role SDA played in their lives and in the pursuit of their present educational interests and career aspirations.
The former students acknowledged the nurturing and caring environment established by Dr. Anjum Majeed and fellow teachers as making a difference in their educational experiences. During the program, 15 staff and faculty members were recognized for their years of service, ranging from five to more than 15.
The anniversary celebration included the annual talent show, an event initiated by Max Gau, a former student who returned to emcee the event. The annual talent show provides students with the opportunity to showcase their many talents. Acts included singing, dancing, magic tricks and musical performances. SDA is committed to developing well-rounded students by providing fine arts programs and extracurricular activities, as well as supporting the pursuits of its students.
The anniversary celebration and annual talent show concluded a week of exciting events, which showcased students’ academic achievements and many talents. Earlier in the week, students participated in Field Day, the annual class plays and awards, and a percussion performance.
The annual class plays and awards have become a much-anticipated event. Every year, each class (grades one through eight) performs a play, with each student having a role. Some students even write their class plays. The classes also create backdrops and props. Some of this year’s plays included The Bremen Town Musicians, A Bad Case of the Stripes, The Boston Tea Party and The Wright Flight. In addition, there were spoofs on Shakespeare’s well-known plays.
After each play, students received awards for citizenship, excellence in math facts, honor roll, attendance and participation in reading programs. Hundreds of awards were given to students to honor their achievements.
The many May activities, including the 15-year anniversary celebration, served as a wonderful way to conclude the 2014-2015 school year.
For more information regarding SDA, please contact the front office at (480) 641-2640.