Are you considering a new elementary or middle school for your son or daughter, and looking for a school with small classes, individualized learning, and a family atmosphere? Self Development Academy (SDA) is all that and more.
SDA is more than just a family atmosphere. There are literally multiple generations that have attended SDA since its inception in 2000. Many members of the staff are now teaching the children of their former students. There are even students who have returned to begin their careers at SDA. Families continue to return due to the culture and academics of the school.
More than 21 years ago, Dr. Anjum Majeed, superintendent, founded Self Development Academy (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 campus and student body has grown tremendously and now consists of more than 500 students in kindergarten through eighth grade.
Throughout the years, SDA has been ranked among the tops schools in the state and has received many prestigious awards including the 2010 Charter School of the Year Award and 2011 Academic Excellence Award. The success of SDA is attributed to a visionary superintendent, dedicated administration and staff, and supportive families and motivated students.
The school’s outstanding reputation and commitment to student learning is evident and noticeable, especially in the response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Since technology was already incorporated into the curriculum, the transition to online learning was seamless. Chromebooks, digital curriculum, and teacher-led instruction were made accessible to students continuing their academic and school connections through a difficult time.
The success of this experience has led SDA school leaders to pursue opening an online program and SDA will launch a separate online school in August 2021. In the meantime, SDA will continue to offer both remote and in-person learning for the remainder of the 2020-21 school year.
At SDA, the students learn a minimum of one grade ahead of the Arizona state educational standards. Beginning with the kindergarten year, students are academically challenged, and high expectations are established 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.
By the time SDA students reach middle school many are prepared to enroll in advanced coursework within the core subjects. During middle school, students have the opportunity to complete Pre-Algebra, Algebra I and II, Geometry, advanced literature, and science coursework including Biology, Chemistry, and Physics. 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.
The goal of SDA administration and teachers is for SDA students to enter high school with a foundation in the core subjects and more importantly, a love for learning that lasts a lifetime. If you are looking for a school dedicated to a quality educational experience led by caring and passionate educators, then look no further than SDA.
If you are interested in learning more about SDA, we are scheduling individual family tours and are hosting several virtual information sessions. We hope to see you soon.
For more information, to schedule a tour, or for a virtual information session, please contact the Front Office at (480) 641-2640.
Virtual Information Nights
• Jan. 14, 2021 6:30 p.m. — Kindergarten
• Jan. 21, 2021 6:30 p.m. — Grades 1 to 5
• Jan. 21, 2021 7:30 p.m. — Middle School Grades 6 to 8
Enroll Now For the 2021-22 School Year!