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
CHARTER SCHOOL OF THE YEAR
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.
Sport-Based Character Development
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.
Latest News
May 1st 2025April 30, 2025 - 5:30 pmNOTICE OF A PUBLIC MEETING OF THE GOVERNING BOARD OF FIT KIDS, INC. *This agenda was posted on www.championschools.org on April 30th, 2025 Pursuant to Arizona Revised Statutes (A.R.S.) § 38-431.02, notice is hereby given to the members of Fit Kids, Inc. and to the public that the Governing Board will hold a meeting, open […]
Public Notice Regarding Directory InformationApril 23, 2025 - 5:37 pmIn accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), Champion Schools hereby provides notice of the types of information designated as “directory information” Directory information is defined as information contained in the education records of a student that would not generally be considered harmful or an invasion of privacy if disclosed. Directory Information […]