Charlie Kanarish, a 12th grade student at The Jones-Gordon School, was recognized as the March Student of the Month by the Arizona State Board of Education.

The Jones-Gordon School is a small, independent private school in Paradise Valley serving learnings in grades 1-12 who have dyslexia, ADHD and co-occurring learning differences.

Kanarish currently serves as the student body president of the private school, and serves as a volunteer for Miracle League of Arizona, an adaptive baseball program for children and adults who have special needs.

The Student of the Month distinction acknowledges a student’s character, quality, and achievements.

Dana Herzberg, founder and head of school at The Jones-Gordon School, said in a press release that Kanarish epitomizes the foundational values of the school with his creativity, curiosity, courage, resilience, mindfulness and kindness.

“This honor serves as a well-deserved accolade for his exceptional dedication and academic prowess,” Herzberg said in the same release. “We are immensely proud of Charlie as he actively embodies the mission of The Jones-Gordon School, empowering and motivating every student to surpass their boundaries and strive for excellence.”

Kanarish is expected to receive the AP Capstone Diploma in May and will attend Barrett, The Honors College at Arizona State University next fall on a presidential scholarship. 

The nomination window for the Arizona Department of Education Student of the Month program was open from July 17, 2023, to Sept. 15, 2023. Schools around the state were allowed one nomination based on personal character, achievements, community impact, civic engagement or commerce/business.

To learn more about the Jones Gordon private school, visit jonesgordon.org.