The Arizona Educational Foundation named 11 "A+" schools Friday, including five in the East Valley.
Schools that applied followed a lengthy process including input from teachers, administrators, parents and business leaders.
Judges then visited schools to select the winners.
The following East Valley schools were selected: Goodman Elementary School and Chandler High School in the Chandler Unified School District; Nevitt Elementary School in the Tempe Elementary School District; and Anasazi and Laguna elementary schools in the Scottsdale Unified School District.
Laguna principal Keith Powell said the recognition is the result of many people’s work, and the A+ is one of the best nods a school can get.
"I think it’s a wonderful honor, not just for the leader, but for the entire team; it’s just a collaborative effort that everybody is very excited about," he said. "It’s absolutely outstanding how much support is given to the success of Laguna through the efforts of the parents."
The areas examined were student focus and support, active teaching and learning, curriculum, community/ parent involvement and leadership.
The foundation uses private funds to recognize and support achievement in public education.
