By Christa Rowland
Since 2016, has been a pioneer in implementing the Community School strategy in Arizona. With eight Restart SMART Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ across the Tucson, Sunnyside, and Chandler School Districts, Higher Ground is expanding its reach and .
Serving over 3,000 students, 550 families, and 550 educators last school year, Higher Ground has implemented a highly effective and data-driven approach to Community School implementation. The results are clear, as demonstrated in their forthcoming end-of-year report for the 2023-24 school year: significant increases in attendance, enrollment, and student wellness.
Each of the eight Restart SMART Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ has shown improvement in the state school accountability system since 2018. Two schools have climbed four letter grades (from F to C/D and from D to B), while one has made an impressive five-letter grade jump (from F to B).
Among the students directly supported by Higher Ground, a remarkable 47% improvement in attendance and a 56% reduction in discipline incidents were observed.
This impactful initiative is transforming the lives of students, families, and educators, leaving a lasting positive impact on Arizona’s educational landscape.