Located in the Surprise Farms community, Canyon Ridge School is the premiere STEM campus in the Dysart Unified School District and the first school in the state of Arizona to be awarded Cognia STEM accreditation in 2017 and recertification in 2022. During the 2022-2023 school year, the school earned the coveted Arizona Education Foundation’s A+ School of Excellence recognition for superior instruction, culture, and staffing. Our campus is focused on making our vision of “inspiring the innovators of tomorrow” a reality. Our mission, “Canyon Ridge School is committed to developing twenty-first century learners that are prepared to solve real world challenges through the use of collaboration, creativity, critical thinking and cross-curricular STEM learning opportunities.” coupled with our core values: student centered, innovative and hands-on learning guide our daily plans to achieve maximum results. We also believe that these crucial efforts must be balanced by positive citizenship, creativity, and outlets for community involvement. From students and teachers, to volunteers and community organizations, CRS is an inclusive and dynamic hub for community learning and multi-generational engagement.

Our ambitious approach to education was developed in consultation with district leadership, parent and community feedback, administrative support of cutting-edge techniques, and the development of a teaching staff with a deep understanding of data driven methodologies and best practices. Canyon Ridge School is home to an Arizona Education Foundation Ambassador of Excellence, another educator recognized as the Arizona History Teacher of the Year, and an instructor who has received the NSSAR National American History Teacher Award. The staff has been awarded various recognitions including: Staples National Teacher of the Year, Arizona Diamondback STEM Teacher of the month, Ginger Lee Francia Dysart Exceptional Student Service PTSA Teacher of the Year, American Insurance Teacher of the Month, Social Studies teachers of the year 4-6 and middle level, and Grand Canyon Principal of the Month. An array of additional staff recognition has been garnered, on the local and state level, from such well-respected community organizations as: Grand Canyon University, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Rotary Club, Arizona Daughters of the American Revolution, and the Veterans Heritage Project. Such a diverse and talented pool of teachers have spent over a decade cultivating unique learning opportunities that promote real world applications of curriculum and a high degree of interaction with community organizations.

Successful collaborative relationships exist with over twenty community entities that provide their time, expertise and support for campus activities and projects. These efforts span multiple grade levels and content areas. For example, retired engineers, who serve as volunteers with the organization, A World in Motion (AWIM), work directly with students regarding engineering and testing processes in basic aeronautical design and forces in motion. These activities are supplemented by the American Association of University Women (AAUW) who promote campus STEM goals while encouraging the inclusion of all cultural groups and genders, in scientific endeavors. Learning opportunities that focus on DEPCO technology and machinery have been supported on site by Dysart’s Career and Technical Education program, Honeywell and Arizona SciTech.

Balancing the emphasis on science and technology, the Social Studies department at Canyon Ridge School has strived to include a variety of patriotic community service organizations into our ever-expanding family of learners. Our emphasis has been placed on the important role of youth in our participatory democracy and a vital need to honor positive historical role models and the contributions of American Veterans to our way of life. Since 2007, our site has worked in conjunction with Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10695 in Sun City West, Arizona. CRS has served as the leading school in our district for the annual VFW Patriot’s Pen Essay Writing Contest and the VFW Veterans in the Classroom program. Canyon Ridge expanded on these efforts and began a campus wide VFW Veterans Day Commemoration assembly and reception for our community. Similar community outreach efforts have proven equally successful with a U.S. Constitution Day incorporating: Arizona Sons of the American Revolution, Arizona Daughters of the American Revolution, Blue Stars Moms of the Southwest Valley, American Association of University Women and the Veterans Heritage Project.

With a long record of academic success, cutting edge STEM programs, and creative expressions of curriculum that exceeds state standards, Canyon Ridge School is truly a dynamic learning environment for all stakeholders. Our ongoing emphasis on service to others, patriotic expression, positive citizenship and multi-generational learning has created a unique family of learners that view the world through the latest STEM perspectives, balanced with the traditional character traits that support civic engagements and a stronger community.