2 Tucson-area elementaries named Blue Ribbon schools

Sunrise Drive and Senita Valley elementary schools received national recognition as Blue Ribbon Schools, the U.S. Department of Education announced Tuesday.

National Blue Ribbon Schools are models of effective and innovative school practices for educators and other schools throughout the nation, according to the department.

Schools are judged based on their data, activities, programs and other measures.

Both Sunrise Drive and Senita Valley were nominated by the Arizona Department of Education.

Principal Andrea Davidson attributed Sunrise Drive Elementary’s achievement to the attention faculty, staff, family members and the community give to its students.

But, as she told a group of fourth graders, it’s the students’ hard work and attitudes that made the grade.

“This is a true recognition of your hard work … the ‘spirit of sunrise,’” Davidson said.

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Sunrise Drive is in the Catalina Foothills School District. It has nearly 500 students in grades kindergarten through fifth.

“Whether you’re new — like me — or have been here since the school opened … when you get to campus, there is a spirit of collaboration. It’s palpable,” said Chris Wittoesch, Senita Valley’s interim principal.

Senita Valley is in the Vail Unified School District. It has nearly 670 students enrolled in grades prekindergarten through twelfth.

The recognition is based on a school’s overall academic performance or progress in closing achievement gaps among student groups on assessments. Sunrise Drive and Senita Valley are two of among 353 schools receiving the designation nationwide in 2023.

Arizona had another two schools honored: Fireside Elementary School in Phoenix and Neely Traditional Academy in Gilbert also were honored.