East Mesa families are served by the Mesa Public School (MPS) district, the largest school district in Arizona, with A-rated Legacy Traditional Schools leading the way with such innovative programs as Mozart Performing Arts, Momentum Fitness, Masterminds STEM, Masterpiece Visual Arts, and the Legacy Gifted Program.
Beyond focused programs and curriculum, what makes a great school in East Mesa?
As a Cognia-Certified charter school, Legacy has passed rigorous external reviews for program quality, exceeding the standard for East Mesa education excellence. Legacy Traditional Schools also offer before and after-school kids’ care, online learning, and even summer programs to keep kids creatively engaged until the fall quarter.
Arts Education
Studies from the National Endowment for the Arts reaffirm the critical need for arts education programs, as these programs are linked to improved academic outcomes and emotional development in children. Legacy’s Masterpiece Visual Arts program, Mozart Performing Arts program, and summer camps help support the NEA’s findings that K-8 arts education improves reading, math, and interpersonal skills.
The Masterpiece Visual Arts program is designed to unleash creativity in students. Not limited to just one medium, students immerse themselves in:
- Drawing
- Painting
- Sculpture
- Collage
Through creative hands-on learning, students learn about design principles, art elements, and composition. Teachers shed light on the biographies of master artists and art movements during art history sections. Students also get to explore vibrant genres like folk art.
Legacy East Mesa’s dedication to the arts continues with the school’s Mozart Performance Art program, where students enjoy:
- Piano
- Vocal music ensembles
- Instrumental music
- Music theory
- Music history
While performing in ensembles, students learn valuable teamwork skills. They’re also four times more likely to produce positive academic outcomes and show more enhanced cognitive development, according to Scholastic.
Physical Education
Like its arts education classes, Legacy East Mesa’s Momentum Fitness program promotes healthy cognitive development and essential social skills, such as teamwork. Since physical education is so vital to cardiovascular health, stress reduction, and strong bones, it’s offered four times a week in 45-minute sessions.
The key is making physical education as fun as possible, so it’s something students actually look forward to. Through sports-themed activities and well-rounded physical fitness, Legacy students develop the following skills through aerobic conditioning:
- Cardiovascular and muscular strength
- Muscular endurance
- Body composition
- Flexibility
Momentum Fitness helps students improve sportsmanship and develop a wide spectrum of sports-specific skills.
Healthy living habits are also taught regularly. Students learn the basics of healthy eating, goal setting, and strategies for maintaining a healthy lifestyle well after they graduate.
STEM Education
STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math.
A well-rounded STEM education helps develop essential problem-solving skills, such as breaking down complex topics into step-by-step solutions and analyzing data. STEM enhances the critical thinking necessary to evaluate problems to find logical outcomes.
According to the National Inventors Hall of Fame, STEM education also empowers academic confidence, social awareness, and resilience. Through STEM, students are encouraged to explore career paths at an early age and discover the tools to get there.
At Legacy East Mesa schools in Queen Creek and Gilbert, students enjoy an enriching, hands-on STEM education through the Masterminds STEM program.
Students explore the basics of computer science and coding, including:
- Sequencing
- Algorithms
- Computer programming
- Debugging
They even get to dig into the exciting world of artificial intelligence! Students learn how to harness AI for coding, technological applications, and creativity.
Lessons are project-based and designed to inspire a passion for STEM careers. For example, some projects may be modeled after the work of real scientists, app developers, and engineers. Students learn how to successfully investigate STEM problems, design logical solutions, and even present their projects.
The basics of robotics are taught through fun LEGO education projects, where students learn about block-based programming, sensors, and motors to create real robotics. Students work together in teams to refine their robots through testing, building key collaboration skills.
Real-world digital skills are also taught. Students learn how to use Google Docs, Forms, Slides, and Sheets, tools they will likely use as working adults.
Gifted Programs
East Mesa families in Gilbert and Queen Creek also have access to Legacy’s gifted programs, where students get to bond with like-minded school peers, enjoy challenging hands-on projects, and expand their creativity. Students enjoy meaningful educational experiences that are intentionally designed to help grow these three core learning areas:
- Verbal
- Non-verbal
- Quantitative
These areas are essential for the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT), an aptitude assessment test administered by K-12 schools to help measure students’ reasoning skills, problem-solving, and critical thinking.
Additionally, gifted program teachers are always finding new ways to challenge students’ thinking and encourage them to take smart academic risks, laying the foundation for innovation. Students are encouraged to share ideas to build confidence and networking skills with peers.
Gifted program students often participate in science fairs and speech contests, which further build confidence, resilience, and communication. Advanced learning options are also available to gifted program students, including Step Up Math, Algebra, and Geometry.
The gifted program is designed to address both learning capacity and students’ advanced knowledge. The result is an accelerated learning program that students access each week.
Other Programs
Parents and students may also benefit from Legacy’s online learning access, kids’ care, and summer programming.
For example, parents who want flexible learning choices for their child may inquire about Legacy’s Online Academy. Students immerse themselves in virtual classes at their own pace, while still accessing curriculum that aligns with East Mesa educational standards.
Legacy summer programs are also available, where kids enjoy weekly camp themes with their friends, such as Art Explorers, Deep Blue Sea, Mystery Week, and Time Travelers! Kids are provided with a well-rounded experience that combines creativity with physical activity.
Additionally, parents may access Legacy’s before and after-school kids’ care programs. Students are given academic support, participate in games, and enjoy creative activities.
What Makes a Great School in East Mesa?
Researching top schools in East Mesa is an excellent way to give your child a head start.
Discover what other East Mesa families have already discovered. Inquire about our arts programs, physical education, STEM classes, gifted programs, and more offerings. Book a tour of our campuses to truly see what makes a great school in East Mesa.
Learn more about the qualities of great schools by reading our blog. You may also speak directly with our staff about East Mesa school rankings, enrollment, and more!