The Arizona Educational Foundation (AEF) announced that 28 Arizona public schools earned the A+ School of Excellence award for the 2012-2013 academic year including one in Ahwatukee Foothills, Kyrene de los Cerritos Elementary School in the Kyrene Elementary District. Darcy DiCosmo is principal.

Kyrene de los Cerritos Leadership Academy • 14620 S. Desert Foothills Parkway

The Ahwatukee Foothills Chamber of Commerce thanked influential mentors, volunteers and businesses during its 14th Annual Chamber Day of Champions awards breakfast Friday morning.

The Ahwatukee Foothills Chamber of Commerce will host the 14th Annual Chamber Day of Champions Breakfast on Friday, Feb. 8 and honor local businesses, volunteers and educators who have made an impact on the community.

In her first year at a brand new school, 8-year-old Samantha Gibbons is learning the benefit of taking leadership and the power of giving.

Kyrene de los Cerritos Leadership Academy in Ahwatukee will be hosting its Leadership Day on Thursday to showcase student achievement.

Arizona personal injury lawyers, Mark and Alexis Breyer of Ahwatukee Foothills, along with Peter Piper Pizza, awarded a Kyrene de los Cerritos Elementary School teacher Michelle Mandola $250 for classroom supplies and a pizza party for her class.

In its third year since transforming to a Leadership Academy, the community at Kyrene de los Cerritos Elementary, inside and outside the classroom, continues to evolve and improve, according to parents and teachers.

The staff and students at Kyrene de los Cerritos Elementary School pride themselves on being a Leadership Academy.

The staff and students at Kyrene de los Cerritos Elementary School pride themselves on being a Leadership Academy.

As a leadership academy, Kyrene de los Cerritos Elementary School implements the "7 Habits of Highly Effective Students" as one way to turn its students into future leaders of the world. This year the school has added something new to tackle another aspect of building maturity - through the lunchroom.

Ashley Schimke, the Arizona Department of Education's first farm to school specialist, is working to increase the amount of fresh, locally grown produce offered in Arizona schools.

Ashley Schimke, the Arizona Department of Education's first farm to school specialist, is working to increase the amount of fresh, locally grown produce offered in Arizona schools.

The staff and students of Kyrene de los Cerritos welcomed author Sean Covey to their campus on Jan. 27 and showed how their school has integrated his 7 Habits into daily instruction.

The staff and students of Kyrene de los Cerritos welcomed author Sean Covey to their campus on Jan. 27 and showed how their school has integrated his 7 Habits into daily instruction.