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Charter and Private School Highlights – January 2025
Madison Highland Prep (MHP) achieved a remarkable feat at the Highland Prep Academies Science Fair, capturing all three top awards. This achievement underlines the institution’s commitment to promoting innovation and scientific excellence among its students.
The projects displayed extraordinary scientific insights. First place was awarded to “Hotter Than You Think,” which explored the urban heat island effect, assessing green spaces’ impact on local temperatures. “Grow with Lights,” the second-place project, investigated how different light colors affect plant growth. The third-place project, “Soaky Surfaces,” examined sustainable materials in road construction for urban planning.
Judges noted the students’ effective presentation of their findings, enhanced by data, images, and hands-on demonstrations, which brought the science to life. The judges were particularly impressed by the students’ thorough grasp of their subjects.
In mid-November, three students from the Phoenix Day School for the Deaf made their mark in the VEX IQ Robotics Competition. Competing against 18 teams, the Roborunners placed 10th overall while their 69-point score in the finals earned them the Teamwork Champions Award.
In addition to the overall ranking, the team secured sixth place in the Skills Challenge with 70 points, showcasing their programming skills by executing tasks without human intervention.
Seniors awarded scholarships
Arizona School for the Arts announced that two seniors, Daniel Kang and Amaya Vigenser, have been awarded QuestBridge National College Match Scholarships. Kang will attend Yale University to study piano performance and biology, while Vigenser is set to study piano performance and computer science at Oberlin College.
This year, 2,627 finalists received Match Scholarships from 52 participating colleges, the highest number to date. Recipients benefit from early admission and full funding for their education, covering tuition, housing, and other associated costs.
Nine student-athletes from Xavier College Preparatory recently signed their National Letters of Intent, marking a significant milestone in their athletic careers. Their accomplishments reflect years of dedication across various sports.
The signed athletes include Carrie Doss, Ally Brown, and Michal Cagungun, among others, with commitments to institutions such as Saint Martin’s University and Dartmouth College.
School earns STEM certification
Madison Highland Prep proudly received an honorary banner for being the first global network of schools to earn the Cognia STEM Systems Certification. This recognition followed a thorough review by regional accreditation evaluators, highlighting the school’s rigorous academic program.
The evaluation emphasized the school’s focus on collaborative problem-solving and critical thinking, reflected in its impressive record of 100% college acceptance among graduating seniors for the past six years.
Brophy College Preparatory recently honored 16 seniors as “Distinguished Students” during a ceremony recognizing their exemplary efforts in academics and community service. This recognition is part of an annual tradition at Brophy.
The honorees’ achievements include participation in co-curricular activities and outstanding academic performance, with names announced on Dec. 5.
Montessori celebrates holiday season, new year
Montessori Day School closed December with a winter program highlighted by the song “Let There Be Peace on Earth.” Parents and visitors joined students to commemorate the festive season.
Looking ahead, January will feature various activities, including a Parent Activities Committee meeting and a re-enrollment period preceding the open house on Feb. 7.
Cooper Davis, a faculty member at Brophy, received the “Friend of the Community” award at the 2024 Arizona American Indian Excellence in Leadership Awards. His efforts as an advocate for the Native Land initiative and the Brophy Native American Club were particularly noted.