greatviews+ familyfeel + openspace+ lotsofactivities= anattractivelifestyle atpowerranch awardwinningplanning+ excellentvalue+ greatbuilders + adiversevarietyofhomes = thepowerofcommunity @ powerranch. com Builders: D. R. Horton RichmondAmerican T. W. Lewis TrendHomes www. powerranch. com Power& GermannRoads ASunbeltHoldings/ DMBCommunity 54 2009 GREATER PHOENIX ULTIMATE GUIDE TO LIVING HERE education by Kelly Carr I nside Leslie Standerfer's high school, you will find freshmen already debat-ing the perfect career fit and identify-ing colleges to attend. There is class time devoted to personal finance and a group of culinary students running a school café. At Estrella Foothills High School in the West Valley, a student interested in officiating sports has the opportunity to enroll in a specialized class. These are just some of the qualities that make Standerfer, the principal at Estrella Foothills, a believer in Arizona's education system. Over the last several years, a growing population in Arizona has translated into adding more schools across the state, each filled with a variety of programs to fit prospective students. Officials say their schools are top- notch, places where students are entrenched in rigorous academic programs with an eye toward the future. Opening doors Estrella Foothills, which opened in 2001 as a result of the growth in the Valley, has molded itself into one of the state's top performing high schools. A recent graduating class of 200 garnered $ 2.2 million in scholarships. Making the Grade A combination of rigor in the classroom, accountability programs and character education sets Arizona's educational system apart education |