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Now in our 13th year, we are a "Highly Performing" Kindergarten- Eighth Grade Charter/Public School, "Where Children Are the Priority". Our goals of: high parent satisfaction and increasing student performance are at the heart of our mission.
Our desire is to partner with parents in the pursuit of excellence for all students. We offer a well-rounded core academic program which stresses literacy and a standards based approach to education.
Our Ball Charter Curriculum is aligned to Arizona State Standards. As you read through our web-site please think of how you can contribute to the growth and maturity of Dobson Academy. We look forward to the opportunity to offer our students an exciting, rigorous and enjoyable set of educational and life experiences.
About Us
Our Mission
At Dobson Academy, our mission is to provide a high quality education that emphasizes core academic excellence. This is delivered in a nurturing partnership, where parents, students and staff work together to form a successful educational program.
Meet The Principal
Dr. George Ellis has been an educator at all levels of public school education as a teacher and administrator for the past 33 years. He taught at elementary and middle schools for 13 years and was a school site administrator for 18 years before coming to Dobson Academy in 2001. Dr. Ellis was principal of South Dade Senior High School and Hammocks Middle School in Miami-Dade County Public Schools in Miami-Dade County, Florida.
Dr. Ellis received The Distinguished Educators Award for the State of Florida, given by the University of Florida. His recognitions also include a variety of honors of excellence from Counseling Associations, Parent Teacher Student Associations, Media Specialists Associations, and his peers, as the Regional, Principal of the Year and Finalist for District, Principal of the Year. While in the Miami area he served as Hurricane Shelter Manager for 8 years and assisted in other safety and emergency leadership roles for over 15 years.
Dr. Ellis and his family relocated to Arizona and joined Dobson Academy in its quest for excellence. Over the years Dobson Academy has purchased its property, constructed a new classroom building, established a school library, and made significant improvements with existing facilities. Enrollment has grown 40%. Educational initiatives have strengthened the mission and core academic and elective curriculum. Tremendous work has been done by the staff to meet State and Federal goals. Marketing of the school has matured and Parent Satisfaction Surveys reflect increased approval of the school's performance and operation.
“I love working at Dobson Academy. Our excellent staff is always trying to learn and improve. Our high expectations of students and strong performance of our students is also a tribute to the comprehensive partnership with parents and the extensive volunteer program. I take great pride in being a member of the Dobson Academy team."
Dr. George Ellis
Principal
Dobson Academy
Our Curriculum
Dobson Academy is committed to teaching the core academics. Subjects covered in Dobson’s K-8 curriculum include Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Art, Music, Physical Education, and Technology. Dobson’s curriculum has been aligned to the New Articulated Arizona State Standards to meet the requirements of the “No Child Left Behind” Act.
Curriculum maps have been developed for each subject/special area at every grade level. Curriculum maps allow parents to view topics that will be taught throughout each month (see below). Four-quarter plans with more specific goals and objectives are in hard copy form in the office and in classrooms for parents to view.
Description and Strategies
The program at Dobson Academy differs from those offered at other public schools. While the major objective is to provide an excellent educational experience for your child, we believe the process used to achieve excellence varies widely from school to school. With this in mind, our school is different for many reasons.
Shared Decision Making - Dobson Academy has adopted the Ball Foundation's School Design Collaborative (SDC). SDC facilitates shared decision making among all school stakeholders, including parents, teachers, administrators, staff, and students for the purpose of increasing student achievement and parent satisfaction.
Professional Development - Regular and sufficient time is provided for teachers and administrators to develop skills, further their learning, and work collaboratively with colleagues. Teachers, working in grade-level teams or content teams, use professional development time to plan for instruction, interact with parents, and participate in ongoing training.
Student as Individual and Teacher as Facilitator - Each student has unique talents, skills, interests, and ways of learning. Recognizing that fact, teachers at Dobson adapt their instructional practices to meet the needs of individual students.
Community Collaborations and Volunteers - Dobson's volunteer program strives to foster a closer relationship between the schools and the community. Volunteers work directly with students in the classrooms and serve on teams involved with the development and implementation of school programs.
Technology - Our school is dedicated to ensuring that students learn to use technology and that teachers and staff use technology to improve strategies for tracking student progress and reporting to parents.
Market Research Response - The school receives regular feedback from constituents, mainly through parent satisfaction surveys given two times per year. This feedback is used to create and direct student programs, communications, and operations.
Emphasis on Early Grades – Dobson Academy commits extra resources, including personnel, so that we can build success and avoid later remediation.
Focus on Literacy – Our school-wide literacy focus helps to ensure strong proficiencies in reading, writing and mathematics.
Regular Homework - The purposes of homework are: (1) student drill, practice and study; (2) to help students develop personal responsibility; and (3) to inform parents about what and how their children are doing at school.
Discipline- Dobson Academy's school-wide discipline program is based on the "Three B's": Be Safe Be Respectful Be Responsible. We expect high standards of dress and behavior.
Accountability- Exams, grading, and reports are essential so that each student may come to know his or her own gifts and limitations. Classrooms are balanced to encourage accountability, but we teach to a higher standard and expect that all students will achieve.
Our program is designed to challenge the intellect as well as to teach fundamental skills. We believe that this program helps students develop a sense of pride and strong self-respect.
Quick Links
Dobson Academy 2207 North Dobson Road, Chandler, Arizona 85224 (480) 855-6325 office (480) 855-6323 Fax
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