The Arizona Department of Education (ADE) has decided to grant Primavera Online School retroactive alternative school status for the 2024 school year. The ADE's website released information stating that this decision aligns with the department's historic practice of evaluating schools. Primavera, which has been previously recognized as an alternative school in the past, met the ADE's criteria again due to several factors.
Key among the reasons, the ADE pointed out that "Calculations that the department performed show that Primavera does serve the type of demographics that alternative schools are designed for." This falls in line with the main goal of alternative schools, which is to cater to populations that might not thrive in traditional educational environments. Additionally, Primavera’s enduring commitment to their mission statement, which has consistently earned them alternative status in years like 2019 and recently in 2025, underpinned the ADE's decision. The department conveyed, "That mission statement has not changed, so there is no reason why the mission statement should be a barrier."
However, this recent administrative action won't affect Primavera's academic grading, which has lingered at a D for the previous three years. Any potential alteration in grade would be in the hands of the State Board, and ultimately, the charter board, should the State Board approve a grade change. The information regarding these decisions and processes was outlined in a news release on the ADE’s website.
The importance of this status cannot be understated, as it reflects a recognition of Primavera’s role in the education landscape of Arizona. Despite this, there are no assumptions being made about potential actions from the State Board. The ADE maintains, and quite rightly so, that it has "no way to predict State Board action." The decision is now in the the hands of the State Board, and subsequently, may involve deliberations by the charter board regarding any further changes connected to Primavera’s status.
