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  • Champion Schools South Mountain

    A Top Rated Pre K – 8th Charter School

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  • Top Academic Programs

    Powerful learning community for ALL students

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  • Academic Excellence
    Through the Power of Sport and Fitness

    Core strength and sensory motor skills development

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    Charter School in Phoenix | Champion Schools South Mountain
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Welcome to Champion Schools South Mountain

We are a Top Ranked Pre K – 8th grade tuition free Charter School, that implements a rigorous, content rich curriculum. Our Sport emphasis promotes fitness and healthy lifestyle. Here you can access all the latest updates and information regarding enrollment, academics and what’s happening at Champion Schools!

Champion Schools South Mountain is your Charter School in Phoenix, AZ

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CHARTER SCHOOL OF THE YEAR

Charter School in Phoenix | Champion Schools South Mountain

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RIGOROUS CURRICULUM

Champion Schools was named Charter School of the Year in 2014, by the Arizona Charter Schools Association. We accomplished this by building a powerful learning community for ALL students, regardless of their educational backgrounds.

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THE LINK BETWEEN ATHLETICS AND ACADEMICS

For any child to achieve their highest potential, you need to address both a child’s mind and body. The ability for academic learning and higher-level cognitive skills is directly related to a child’s core strength and sensory-motor skills development. We believe for students to achieve their highest cognitive potential, their core strength and sensory-motor foundations must be strong and fully developed.

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PRESCHOOL PROGRAM

  • 3 & 4 Year Old Preschool Classes
  • Monday – Thursday 8:00 am – 3:30 pm
  • Friday 8:00 am – Noon
  • Experienced Teachers with small class sizes
  • Academic Program that meets Arizona State Preschool Standards
  • Warm, Caring and Healthy Atmosphere
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Fresh Fruits and Vegetables served daily
  • Arizona Department of Health Services (DHS) Licensed
  • Full-time weekly rate of $160. Scholarships Available
  • Accepting DES-Certified Family Care Provider
  • Discounts for siblings in K-8 at Champion Schools
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OUR TEACHERS

Champion Schools’ Academic Plan begins with recruiting highly qualified, certified teachers. Our teachers work collaboratively in grade-level clusters to ensure all students’ needs are met. In these grade-level clusters, teachers use academic data to drive their decision-making. Instructional Coaches at each campus support our teachers in their professional development and strive to continually improve the effectiveness of their instruction.

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ACADEMICS

ATHLETICS

HEALTH & WELLNESS

The POWER of SPORTS in SCHOOLS

Kids who participate in sports and fitness programs are healthier and more academically successful. Participating in sports builds self-esteem and increases grade and test performance.

The evidence is clear. Physical activity should have a place in the curriculum of every school that’s serious about teaching its kids.

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Champion Schools is a proud research partner with the College of Health Solutions of Arizona State University (ASU).

Sport is a physical activity that improves students’ health and benefits relationships with others that can be competitive and fun.

We welcome you to join the Champion Family

Champion Schools builds a strong culture that supports students in making significant academic gains and excelling in athletics: an unbeatable formula for success.

Grow stronger
Grow Faster
Eat healthy
Compete with others
Improve your health

Sport-Based Character Development

Picture of Dr. Mala

Dr. Mala

Dr. Jesse Mala, an Assistant Professor at the NEAG School of Education at the University of Connecticut (UCONN) has focused his research interests on utilizing sport-based character development (SBCD) programs to holistically develop children. Specifically, he examines how participation in SBCD programs contribute to cognitive function, health outcomes, character  development, academic performance, and school-related outcomes.

Positive character development can take place through the medium of thoughtful, well-designed, intentional sport programs, hence the term “sports-based character development.” Research has revealed how the social competencies of respect, caring for others, self-discipline, and personal and social responsibility have been developed through sport participation within physical education classes, community and school sport, and local club teams.

Currently, he is seeking to examine the relationship of sport and physical activity participation on executive functions and stress regulation, as well as the effect of sport and physical activity on academic outcomes. His recent research shows how physical activity is associated with greater executive functioning and stress regulation among youth, which has positive implications for health, education and life outcomes. In another study, Dr. Mala also found that participating in targeted, sport-based character development programs improves student perceptions of school connectedness and school climate.

Dr. Mala partnered with Champion Schools in Phoenix in his research project where he also spent a year as a coach and sport scientist. He is currently planning to assess the role of SBCD interventions on brain indices using EEG technology with neuroscientists in the Department of Psychological Sciences and Biomedical Engineering at UCONN.

References: Mala, J., Corral, M. D., McGarry, J. E., Macauley, C. D., Arinze, N. A., & Ebron, K. (2020). Positive Impacts of a Sport Intervention on Male Students of Color and School Climate. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, 1-17
Mala, J., McGarry, J., Riley, K. E., Lee, E. C. H., & DiStefano, L. (2020). The Relationship Between Physical Activity and Executive Functions Among Youth in Low-Income Urban Schools in the Northeast and Southwest United States. Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 42(4), 292-306.

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