Self Development Academy (SDA) is the only Arizona school consistently ranked among the top 10 schools by the Arizona Department of Education for the past decade.
How has SDA attained this ranking and received other prestigious awards, including the 2010 Charter School of the Year Award, presented by the Arizona Charter School Association, and the 2011 Academic Excellence Award? The success of SDA students is attributed to a visionary principal, dedicated teachers, administration and staff, supportive families and motivated students.
More than 15 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 450 students in elementary school and middle school.
At SDA, the students learn a minimum of one grade level 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.
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.
After school activities include Sports Club, Foreign Language, Dance Club, Choir Club and Student Government. Recently, the SDA Choir Club performed at Arbor Rose Senior Care facility in Mesa. The performance brought smiles to the residents’ faces, and provided the students with an opportunity to perform in public and give back to the local community.
Dr. Majeed and staff fully support the student-initiated and student-led projects. The annual talent show, mentoring programs and various donation drives are examples of these projects. SDA is committed to developing well-rounded students who are well prepared for high school and beyond.
A Kindergarten Information Night is scheduled for Jan. 12, at 6:15 p.m., and a Middle School/High School Information Night is scheduled for Jan. 28, at 6:30 p.m.
For more information, or to schedule a tour, please contact the front office at (480) 641-2640. Enrollment for 2016 has begun, and spaces are filling quickly.