ACA students and staff work very hard and stay laser focused on academics and with that it’s important to take time and celebrate successes.”

Melissa Montenegro | Arizona Charter Academy director of talent and PR

Since Arizona Charter Academy opened its doors in 2001, the teachers and staff have been dedicated to recognizing not only academic success, but also character excellence in their students.

One way that the school accomplishes this important goal is through its monthly Student of the Month assemblies.

As Melissa Montenegro, director of talent and PR noted, the teachers work together to nominate and select students based on how they are representing the school’s “G.R.E.A.T.” acronym.

“January was Grit, February was Respect, March was Engaged, April is Aware and May will be Thoughtfulness. In August, we’ll start the process again,” Montenegro said, adding that two students from each homeroom in elementary school, and multiple middle school students from each grade are considered every month.

“We organize the assemblies by grades K-2, 3-4, 5-6 and 7-8. Each grade level takes turns going up and each homeroom teacher announces their chosen students of the month. They are given a certificate, a car magnet that says, ‘Student of the Month at Arizona Charter Academy’ and most of the homeroom teachers provide an additional incentive. One teacher had custom pins made for his homeroom and one teacher has her student of the month wear a superhero cape for the rest of the school day to celebrate.”

The homeroom teacher also calls each student’s parents ahead of time to let them know their child has been selected. The parents are invited to attend the assembly, and many come bringing balloons and flowers to celebrate their child, Montenegro said.

In addition to recognizing the students of the month, the assemblies also include other fun activities; for instance, the cheer team performing its latest and greatest routine, free throw challenges, relay races, music and more.

While academic success and growth are extremely important at ACA, and are measured and celebrated through benchmark assessments and results of state testing, Montenegro said the Student of the Month assemblies ensure students can also be recognized for their outstanding character.

“Our student of the month assemblies have been a staple of ACA culture since our beginnings in 2001. ACA students and staff work very hard and stay laser focused on academics and with that it’s important to take time and celebrate successes,” she said.

“But an ACA Bulldog is more than their academic scores, and by ensuring we cultivate a culture of celebration within our school, we model to our students the importance of our values.”

Seventh-grader Christian Ponce was named Student of the Month at ACA in February.

Christian said he was pleasantly surprised to learn he was being recognized for representing the month’s value of Respect.

“At first it made me surprised because I didn’t think I’d get it. It’s nice to feel recognized for good behavior since I know not everyone gets it,” Christian said.

“I was happy that I got it, and it makes me more excited to try at school. It was motivational, and it makes me want to work harder.”