Sonoran Science Academy

Sonoran Science Academy-Tucson is a public school, managed by Sonoran Schools, a charter management organization. The school is located in Tucson. The school opened in 2001 and is focused on STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) and college preparation.

The school serves 800 students in grades K-12.

Vision and mission

"The vision of Sonoran Schools is to be America's premier STEM school organization, graduating future leaders and world-caliber talent."^[1] "The mission of Sonoran Schools is to provide a rigorous college prep, STEM-focused education through a challenging, comprehensive curriculum, continuous assessment, and dedicated teachers."^[2]

Colors, Mascot, and Sports

The school colors are blue and gold. The mascot is the Golden Eagle.

Accreditation

The school is accredited by AdvancED.^[3]

School rankings

In August 2013, the Arizona Department of Education released A-F letter grades for all district and charter schools in the state. Letter grades are based on the weighting of student performance on the AIMS tests and student academic growth from year to year, along with additional points awarded for high English Language Learner reclassifications, and significant reductions in dropout rates. Every school and district received a report card with a grade that reflects their annual academic profile. In 2016, ADE awarded SSA a grade of "A."^{[4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9]}

History

Sonoran Science Academy Tucson is operated by the Daisy Education Corporation which began in 1999. The founding board members established the Daisy Education Corporation because of a shared belief that excelling in math and science would prepare America's youth to achieve success in college, the workplace, and the 21st century.

The founding members recognized that students in the United States were lagging behind their peers from other countries and that schools offering a rigorous, skill-level curriculum that focused on science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) would provide the foundations to graduate independent thinkers who are capable of innovation and prepared to take leadership roles.^[10]

Sonoran Science Academy Tucson, initially called Daisy Science Academy, was opened in 2001, serving grades six through eight. The name of the school was changed the following year to Sonoran Science Academy and the school began adding grade levels each year until kindergarten through 12th grade were being served.^[11]

Sonoran Science Academy participates in regional, state, and national competitions, such as Intel ISEF, USAMO, FIRST Robotics Competition, National History Day, Academic Decathlon, MATHCOUNTS and Voice of Democracy.

Sonoran Science Academy has been noted for the extracurricular achievement of its students. In 2012 Stan Palasek became the first Arizona student since 2007 to be awarded First Place at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair for his work in molecular evolution. In 2013 Augustus Woodrow-Tomizuka was recognized internationally with First Place at the Jacobs School of Music's international guitar competition.^[12][13]

In April 2016, Pima County Supervisor Ally Miller today gave special recognition to the members of Sonoran Science Academy's FIRST Robotics team, CRUSH 1011, for winning the 2016 Colorado FIRST Robotics Team Award in Denver, Colorado. Supervisor Miller recognized CRUSH 1011 for their outstanding achievements by presenting them with a proclamation which declared the month of May as “STEM Education and CRUSH 1011 Robotics Team Appreciation Month.”^[14]

References