How to Apply to ASPIRE

ASPIRE Academy at Connolly is a self-contained gifted program serving students from sixth- through eighth-grade. It is also a choice school within Tempe Elementary Schools, which means that all students must apply to attend. 

Students who wish to attend ASPIRE Academy at Connolly must meet BOTH of the following criteria:

• Gifted qualification at 94th percentile or higher in at least one area on a state board approved test for gifted identification*
• 85th percentile or higher in at least one additional area on a state board approved test for gifted identification*

*This criteria applies to both in- and out-of-district student applications.

If your child currently attends a school within Tempe Elementary Schools, school administration has access to and will review the documents pertaining to minimum qualification criteria. If your child is not currently attending a school within Tempe Elementary Schools, please send all requested qualification files to cristina.palmerin@tempeschools.org.

Please contact Dr. Gerry Taylor, ASPIRE Academy Coordinator with any questions you may have about the application process at gerry.taylor@tempeschools.org or (480) 251-3274. 

Transportation Information

As a choice school, transportation to and from ASPIRE Academy at Connolly is the parent/guardian responsibility, unless your child lives within the Connolly Middle School boundary or if transportation has been approved by Tempe Elementary Schools.

Parents/guardians can complete a transportation request form once their child has been accepted into ASPIRE Academy at Connolly. 

ASPIRE Academy at Connolly Transportation Request Form - currently being updated. Please check back.

Transportation is not guaranteed due to limited space. There are currently stops at Frank, Nevitt, Wood, and Scudder Park (Rover/Fees). Transportation priority will be given to students living within the District boundaries. For more information, please call (480) 642-1540, ext. 7619.