For the past decade, Self Development Academy (SDA) is the only Arizona school consistently ranked among the top 10 schools by the Arizona Department of Education.
How has SDA attained this ranking and received other prestigious awards, including the 2010 Charter School of the Year Award, from the Arizona Charter Schools Association and Academic Excellence Award (2011)?
The success of SDA students is attributed to a visionary principal, dedicated teachers, administration and staff, supportive families and motivated students.
More than 14 years ago, Dr. Anjum Majeed founded SDA, after much encouragement from parents desiring a continuation of the advanced, and high-level preschool and kindergarten curriculums offered at Self Development Preschool. Since SDA’s opening, the school has grown tremendously, and now consists of more than 460 students in elementary school (kindergarten through grade five) and middle school (grades six through eight). In 2013, SDA was approved as a Cambridge International Examinations school.
At SDA, the students learn two to three grade levels ahead of the Arizona state educational standards. Beginning with the kindergarten year, students are academically challenged, and high academic expectations are established, all within a nurturing environment. SDA elementary school students obtain a solid foundation in language arts, mathematics, science and social studies. Students are taught at the mastery level and, the curriculum emphasizes higher level thinking skills, such as critical thinking and problem solving.
One unique aspect of the SDA educational model is the small group pull-out. To ensure all students reach the mastery level of learning, students may be assigned to a small group pull-out. During the pull-out time, the teacher is able to instruct at a slower pace and provide individualized instruction for deeper understanding. The small group pull-out model is used to provide enrichment opportunities for excelling students, as well.
By the time SDA students reach middle school, many are prepared to enroll in Algebra I, Advanced Literature and Advanced Science. During middle school, students have the opportunity to complete Pre-Algebra, Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II, Advanced Literature, Science including Biology, Chemistry and Physics, Technology and Spanish. Many of these courses are not offered until high school.
Students completing eighth grade at SDA are enrolled in Honors and Advanced Placement courses upon entering high school. Additionally, many students receive high school credit for courses completed at SDA. This enhances their grade point averages, and makes them highly competitive students when applying to colleges and universities.
Aside from the academic focus, students have opportunities to develop other skills, such as public speaking, sports and performance skills. Class plays, winter performances and the science fair are just a few of the many annual in-house activities. Afterschool activities include Sports Club, Robotics, Foreign Language, Dance Club, Choir Club and Student Government. SDA is committed to developing well-rounded students who are well prepared for high school and beyond.
For more information, or to schedule a tour, please contact the front office at (480) 641-2640. Enrollment for the 2015-2016 school year has begun, and spaces are filling quickly.