Tom Horne Presents Plaque to Desert View Academy After Outperforming State Tests

State Superintendent Tom Horne stood before Miss Rust’s leadership class at Desert View Academy in Yuma Wednesday morning and presented a commemorative plaque to Principal Analisa Angulo after the charter school outperformed state averages on last year’s statewide achievement tests. Horne told the students he was “looking at the future leaders of our state” and asked them to tell their parents he had visited.

Desert View Academy reported proficiency rates that exceeded Arizona averages across all tested subjects: 56% of students proficient in math compared with the state average of 31%, 55% proficient in English language arts compared with 40% statewide, and 52% proficient in science compared with 34% statewide. Horne presented the school with an Exemplary Academic Achievement Award, described by on-site reporting as a commemorative plaque, and praised the campus atmosphere: “They’re just really doing well. When I came here, I found a great atmosphere, the leadership, the teachers, the attitude of the students.”

Horne addressed students directly during the classroom presentation, saying, “Our state’s leaders come from the people who did well in school, so I’m looking at the future leaders of our state. So when you go home, I want you to tell your parents that the state superintendent of schools, Tom Horne, came to our school. It's easy to remember - my name is two instruments, a tom-tom and a horn - Tom Horne, and told me that I'm a future leader of the state. Will you do that for me?” The students readily agreed, and Horne proceeded to tour the campus, peeking inside classrooms and greeting teachers and students; one on-site note said Elisabeth English was pleasantly surprised to have the superintendent visit her classroom.

Principal Analisa Angulo walked Horne through elements she credits for the gains, animatedly spotlighting the students who earned two perfect scores on last year’s assessments and pointing out learning supports in the halls. Some corridors had learning coaches or paraprofessionals sitting with students, a staffing pattern Angulo cited as one of several keys to the school’s success. Teacher Victoria Armas emphasized the whole-school effort behind the results: “It also starts with the parents. It starts with the custodians and the cafeteria workers, and the office personnel and administration and our learning coaches as well. So everybody in this school affects them.”

Visual details underscored the elementary campus setting: Horne presented the plaque before Miss Rust’s leadership class, and a sea-themed display outside Ms. Burge’s class showcased happy heart-shaped fish as part of the school tour. Desert View Academy is identified on site as a charter school, and the superintendent’s visit occurred as Horne is running for re-election this year in the primary against Kimberly Yee.

The recognition and campus tour arrive ahead of an open enrollment event: Desert View Academy will host an Enrollment Carnival Saturday, February 28, 2026, from 8 to 11 a.m. Families may enroll children at Desert View Academy or Desert View Middle School, tour the campus, and participate in community activities designed to introduce prospective students and parents to the school.