Saved Schools

Phoenix Modern

Phoenix Modern, nominated by A for Arizona, is an elementary/middle school in Phoenix, Arizona, that describes itself as a public charter school serving learners from a primarily urban area.

Location Phoenix, Arizona

Governance Public Charter School

Grades Elementary, Middle

Students 130

Locale Urban

School Dirextor Nikol Carlson

Demographics

Percentage of students*

1%

English Learners

30%

Free/Reduced Lunch

25%

Students with Disabilities

African American or Black 3%

American Indian/Alaska Native 3%

Asian 2%

Hawaiian or Pacific Islander

Hispanic or Latino 32%

White 53%

2+ Races

Why Phoenix Modern was nominated

Phoenix Modern exists for children to explore, create, and prepare for a life of possibility. It is flexible and student-driven model with lots of creative adaptable spaces for exploration, enrichment, project time, and collaboration. Gone are the days of traditional hallways! They operate as a true community of learners with a core value of wonder and creative physical spaces for playful inquiry. They have a nonlinear learning continuum and guide students to embrace deep practice and productive struggle. Phoenix Modern has strong partnerships with community-based organizations to bring learning to life and students outside the traditional classroom to explore and engage with their community.

Student experience design

At Phoenix Modern, learners begin a journey of discovery and growth in a tight-knit community. They form community with their peers as they begin to take on responsibility for their own learning and how to care for others. Learners are inspired and equipped to advance in core skills while also facing opportunities to explore and create in a variety of topics. Throughout their experience, learners grow in their self-awareness and awareness of others, as well as their in their ability to solve problems and use resources to accomplish goals.

Core Practices

Core Practices Length of Use

Co-leadership

3-4 years

1:1 Mentoring

3-4 years

Multi-tiered System Of Support (MTSS) In Academics

1-2 years

Multi-age Classrooms

3-4 years

Student-led Conferences

1-2 years

All Practices

Adaptive Learning Software

Advancement On Mastery

Student Advisories

AI For Learning Materials

AI For Teacher Productivity

Assessments For Agency And Self-directed Learning

Assessments For Deeper Learning

Assessments For Social-emotional Skills

Blended Learning

Family And Community Support Services

Competency/mastery-based Education

Culturally Responsive Practices

Grading Policies Focus On Mastery

All Courses Designed For Inclusion

Interoperable Data From Multiple Technologies

Individual Learning Paths

No Tracked Classes

Project-based Learning

Peer To Peer Support

Performance Based Assessment

Restorative Practices

SEL Curriculum

SEL Integration School-wide

Service Learning

Students Access Their Own Data

Student-led Goal Setting

Self-paced Learning

Students Develop Projects

Trauma-informed Practices

Universal Design For Learning

key reasons for innovating

Improve school culture

Increase student agency

Date Updated: 4/1/2026

*Canopy profile data is self-reported or sourced from NCES data, then verified by school leaders.