Ten Arizona schools distinguished themselves to become semi-finalists in the 2013 Bookmans School Challenge for innovative and creative educational efforts. The second annual challenge yielded submissions from elementary, middle and high schools from around the state with programs in academics, athletics, fine/performing arts and community building. These ten schools will move to phase two of the contest by entering a short video for public viewing that showcases their schools. A total of $21,000 in cash is on the line.

“Bookmans School Challenge celebrates school communities for going beyond rote measures. All of the schools show passion and innovation in their applications. We are excited to see how these schools’ videos will depict how they rose to the challenges facing them. We think they do Arizona proud,” says Bookmans Marketing Director Sheila Kressler-Crowley.

Alpine Leadership Academy – Flagstaff
Carol Rae Ranch Elementary School – Mesa
Desert Marigold Elementary School – Phoenix
Ha:san Prepatory and Leadership School –Tucson
Justine Spitalny Elementary School – Phoenix
Maxwell Middle School – Tucson
Pima Partnership High School – Tucson
Richard E. Miller Elementary School – Phoenix
Taylor Middle School – Mesa
Thornydale Elementary School – Tucson

We read each and every application and want to recognize and thank every school for the effort it took to submit an entry. Find out the other ways Bookmans can help support your teachers, students and school with Project: Educate, READ 10 and our youth programs.

Three schools, one selected by popular vote on Facebook and two by a Bookmans committee, enter the final phase to meet with the Bookmans team in person. Bookmans rewards the runners up with $3,000 each. Only one school rises to the very top and for their efforts and Bookmans awards that school $15,000. Starting Monday, February 4 two videos will be posted each day here, @bookmans on Twitter and on the Bookmans Facebook page. The public votes on their top pick on Bookmans’s Facebook page beginning Saturday, February 16 and continuing through Friday, February 22. The top three finalists will be announced Monday, February 25. The 2013 Bookmans School Challenge winner will be announced on Tuesday, March 4.