A partnership between ASU Prep Digital and Pendergast Elementary School District has been recognized with a national award for breaking down barriers for underserved students.
The collaboration earned the pair a 2021 Magna Awards from the National School Boards Association. The Pendergast school district, with elementary schools scattered across Phoenix, Glendale and Avondale, was one of just 15 schools in the U.S. to be recognized. It was also the only winning school district in Arizona. The winners were chosen by an independent panel of school board members, administrators, and other educators.
“Pendergast District is known as a highly innovative, solution-oriented district that is focused on student success,” said Dr. Jennifer Cruz, the district’s acting superintendent, in a prepared statement. “We’re always looking for ways to engage students in higher levels of thinking and learning. Because we do not have high school teachers on staff or accredited high school curriculum readily available, the partnership with ASU Prep Digital gives our students an accelerated path and the chance to earn concurrent high school and elementary school credit.”
