Candeo Peoria
Candeo Peoria – General Information
Overview
Candeo Peoria is a tuition-free public charter school serving grades K–8 in Peoria, Arizona. Founded in 2008, the institution emphasizes a classical liberal arts education that blends rigorous academic content, moral formation and a strong sense of community. Candeo’s mission is “to grow wisdom and virtue for a life well lived through rigorous, knowledge-based schooling in the classical liberal arts.” The school uses a structured, discipline-rich environment where students engage deeply with domain-specific knowledge, including history, science, literature, mathematics, Latin and the arts.
Students benefit from small class sizes, intentional teacher planning, integrated curriculum and a strong culture of respect, effort, civility and heart (the R.E.A.C.H. acronym). Families often choose the school for its reputation of high academic performance, structured environment and deep focus on intellectual growth and character development. Candeo’s approach is highly intentional: teachers deeply plan lessons together, students are invited to think critically and connect across subjects, and the school community fosters partnership among families, educators and students alike. Given this focus, Candeo Peoria has emerged as one of the top-performing K–8 schools in Arizona and enjoys a strong reputation among charter and traditional schools alike.
Contact Informations
Address: 9965 W Calle Lejos, Peoria, Arizona 85383
Phone Number: (623) 979-6500
Email Address: peoria.info@candeoschools.com
School Facts
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Founding Year | 2008 |
| Motto | “Grow wisdom and virtue for a life well lived” |
| Type | Public Charter School (Grades K-8) |
| District / Organization | Candeo Schools Inc., Charter District |
| Enrollment | Approximately 600 students (K–8) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio | Approx. 19 :1 (per Niche) |
Candeo Peoria Rankings
| Category | Ranking/Outcome |
|---|---|
| Reading Proficiency | ~79% of students proficient (Niche) |
| Math Proficiency | ~74% of students proficient (Niche) |
| Niche Overall Grade | A (for charter K–8 in Arizona) |
| GreatSchools Rating | 10/10 (Arizona, K–8 charter cohort) |
Candeo Peoria – Academics
Candeo Peoria Faculties / Departments
- English Language Arts (K–8)
- Mathematics Department
- Science Department
- Social Studies / History Department
- Latin & World Languages Department
- Visual and Performing Arts Department
- Technology & Media Integration Department
- Character Formation & Advisory Department
- Student Support & Intervention Services
Candeo Peoria Courses and Programs / Majors
- Core curriculum in knowledge-rich liberal arts: reading/literature, history/geography, science, mathematics
- Latin instruction for middle school students (Grades 6-8)
- Visual and performing arts including music, theater, media arts
- Enrichment clubs: journalism, robotics, gardening, student government, yearbook
- Gifted & Talented program integrated within school model
- After-school homework help and enrichment programs
- Summer enrichment and thematic projects tied to classical domains
- Character formation and advisory for all students emphasizing virtues, citizenship and work habits
Online Learning
Candeo Peoria supports blended-learning and digital literacy by providing students access to online resources, digital platforms and teacher-directed interactive assignments. While the instructional model remains primarily in-person, technology integration is built into the daily experience: students complete digital assignments, use online portfolios, and teachers use data dashboards to monitor progress. In addition, the school offers before- and after-school care programs with support for homework and enrichment, which may include computer-based learning components.
Average Test Scores
| Assessment | Approximate Outcome |
|---|---|
| State Reading Proficiency | ~79% (per Niche) |
| State Math Proficiency | ~74% (per Niche) |
Retention and Graduation Rates
Because Candeo Peoria is a K–8 school, traditional high-school graduation rates do not apply. However, the school reports strong promotion rates across grades and emphasizes retention through a compelling school culture, high expectations and supportive student-teacher relationships. Many students stay throughout the K–8 experience, and exit into high school with a strong academic foundation.
Candeo Peoria – Admissions
GPA Range and SAT / ACT Range
As an elementary/middle charter school, admission to Candeo Peoria does not require GPA or SAT/ACT scores. Instead, eligibility is based on available spaces and, in some cases, lottery selection when oversubscribed. Applicants may need to show readiness for the school’s rigorous model.
Candeo Peoria Acceptance Rate
| Category | Approximate Status |
|---|---|
| Overall Acceptance | Depends on application pool; lottery used when oversubscribed |
Candeo Peoria Application Requirements
Applicants for Candeo Peoria must complete the charter school application process, which includes submission of a registration form, proof of age (birth certificate), immunization records, and residence (if required). Families may be asked to complete an orientation or informational session to understand the school’s academic and behavioral expectations. Because the school uses a classical education model, applicants are advised to review the school’s culture and curriculum to determine fit.
Application Process
- Submit charter-school application via Candeo Schools admissions portal
- Provide required documents: birth certificate, immunizations, proof of residence
- Attend an optional school tour or information session
- If applications exceed seats, participate in lottery draw
- Upon acceptance, complete registration and attend orientation
Candeo Peoria Application Deadlines / Important Dates
| Event | Timeframe |
|---|---|
| Application Window Opens | Typically January-February (for upcoming school year) |
| Lottery Drawing (if required) | Following application close deadline |
| Acceptance Notification | March-April timeframe |
| New Family Orientation | Late summer (August) |
Essay Prompt
Not applicable for entry into K–8 charter school; focus is on application, documents and possibly parent information session rather than formal essay.
Candeo Peoria Scholarships
As a tuition-free charter school, Candeo Peoria does not charge standard tuition and does not award scholarships for enrollment. However, families may be eligible for state tax-credit donations, and the school offers optional fees/activities for enrichment which families may defray through scholarship or donation programs if available.
Candeo Peoria Tuition Fee (Costs)
| Category | Cost |
|---|---|
| Tuition | None (public charter school) |
| Activity/Enrichment Fees | Optional, vary by program |
Candeo Peoria – Student Profile and Demographics
Student Demographics (Gender, Age, Race/Ethnicity)
Candeo Peoria serves approximately 603 students in grades K–8 (per Niche). The student body is nearly evenly split by gender (49% female / 51% male). The racial/ethnic breakdown approximates 44.9% White, 28.2% Asian, 8% Hispanic, 3.6% African American and remainder multiracial/other. The school is noted for above-average diversity among charter schools in Arizona.
Low-Income Students / Students with Disabilities
Approximately 24% of students receive free or reduced-price lunch (DonorsChoose source). The school includes support services for students with disabilities and intervention programs; given its rigorous academic model, incoming students may need readiness supports, and the school emphasises family-school partnership for student success.
Student Body
| Category | Data |
|---|---|
| Total Enrollment | ~603 students |
| Grades Served | K–8 |
| Student-Teacher Ratio | ~19 :1 (Niche) |
| Percentage Free/Reduced Lunch | ~24% |
University Diversity
Candeo Peoria prides itself on an educational environment characterized by cultural, racial and socio-economic diversity. The student population reflects a broad spectrum of backgrounds, enabling a rich intercultural experience in the classroom. Through a classical liberal arts framework, the school emphasizes respect, community, and mutual learning across differences. Students learn in mixed-grade and interdisciplinary classes, engage in writings and discussions that surface diverse perspectives, and participate in community events that honor cultural traditions and languages. The school’s diversity initiatives include structured family-engagement, inclusive advisory sessions and leadership opportunities for students from traditionally underserved backgrounds. This environment supports empathy, global awareness and collaborative skills among young learners.
Average Earnings
While elementary and middle schools do not typically report alumni earnings, students at Candeo Peoria leave the program with strong academic foundations, bilingual readiness (when applicable), intellectual classically-based formation and character development. These outcomes position graduates to succeed in high school, college and career. The school’s emphasis on long-term formation supports enhanced earning potential for alumni who pursue higher education and professional pathways.
Candeo Peoria – Faculty and Staff
Teachers and Staff
The faculty at Candeo Peoria are committed educators who embrace the classical liberal arts mission. They engage in structured professional development, daily common planning time and ongoing collaboration to deliver content-rich instruction. Instructional teams are supported by leadership who monitor teaching quality through the TELAR evaluation system (Teacher Evaluation for Learning, Accountability and Recognition). Staff includes grade-level teachers, arts specialists, language specialists, interventionists, and after-school program leaders.
Faculty Profiles
Staff achievements at Candeo Peoria include identification as a Core Knowledge School of Distinction (per the Core Knowledge Foundation) recognizing integrated curriculum and professional development practices. Teachers design lessons that integrate history, literature, art and science; one example being grade-four students studying Gothic cathedrals in art class and connecting that to medieval history content. The school also emphasizes virtue formation, so teachers model and support character development alongside intellectual growth, preparing students for a life of thoughtful engagement.
Candeo Peoria – Campus and Student Life
Campus Life / Housing
Candeo Peoria is a day-school charter campus; no boarding or housing is provided. The campus is designed with modern classrooms, arts studios, a performance area, science labs and outdoor courtyards. Student life includes after-school enrichment clubs (robotics, gardening, student government, arts), weekend family events, seasonal performances and service learning. The school nurtures a strong community feel—students from kindergarten through grade eight engage in overlapping traditions, mentoring and campus celebrations that foster cohesion across grade bands.
Transportation
The campus at 9965 W Calle Lejos in Peoria is accessible via local transit and via parent drop-off/pick-up routes. The school collaborates with families regarding car-pooling and organizes safe arrival/dismissal zones. For after-school care and enrichment, transportation may be coordinated or families arrange private pickup. The school is placed in a suburban setting with infrastructure to support student access and safety.