Posts Tagged ‘Paradise Valley real estate’

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Paradise Valley Home to Several Outstanding Private Schools

Wednesday, July 21st, 2010

Homes in Paradise Valley are sought after by many families for numerous reasons one of those are the schools. In addition to excellent public schools, the community is also home to several outstanding private schools, one of which is the Phoenix Country Day School.

Opened in 1961, Phoenix Country Day School is rich in history and boasts a Lower School, Middle School and an Upper School. The Lower School program provides a quality education for students in Pre-K through fourth grade, offering a nurturing environment focused on traditional academics, small classes and a comprehensive curriculum enhanced with foreign language, technology, library science, art, music and physical education.

The Middle School encompasses the fifth through eighth grades and enjoys class sizes below twenty to ensure personal connections with faculty. Along with rigorous study, students travel on annual class trips, and the athletics program gives any interested student the chance to build skills and confidence by participation in team sports. Meanwhile, the Upper School features a challenging academic schedule based on a liberal arts curriculum, numerous electives and over a dozen Advanced Placement courses. Designed to prepare students for entrance into selective colleges and universities, the curriculum also emphasizes community service, social activities and sports.

If you are considering purchasing a home or residential real estate in Paradise Valley, Scottsdale, Phoenix or surrounding communities, and are interested in an independent, private education, you should take a look at the Phoenix Country Day School to see if it meets the needs of you and your family.

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Paradise Valley is Home to a Mummy – Mountain That is

Friday, June 25th, 2010

Have you ever heard of a mountain named after an Egyptian burial symbol?

Probably not, unless you own a home in Paradise Valley, Arizona, Mummy Mountain is part and parcel of your daily life and visual landscape.

But how did this rugged mountain get its funky name?

Back in the day, this saguaro-studded mountain was known by some as Windy Gulch while others called it Horseshoe Mountain, but according to the Town of Paradise Valley website, it was long-time resident Charlie Mieg who finally named it Mummy Mountain. Charlie, a Swiss by birth, made his money in real estate and banking in New York City. Later, he continued to hit it rich in Florida, before relocating to Arizona in the early 1940s and making his home in the area that would become Scottsdale and Paradise Valley.

Good old Charlie, who was now prospecting for gold, was so enamored by the barren beauty of the area that it is said he borrowed $8,000 of the $12,000 purchase price from his mother-in-law so that he could purchase real estate all along the north and east sides of Windy Gulch. You see, in addition to being a miner, Charlie was a savvy businessman. He knew that the mountain views were exceptional, and that people would some day want to build homes in the valley. Ergo, he tossed off his miner’s hardhat and went back into the real estate biz so he could sell parcels of land from all around his mountain property.

Okay, finally, we’re getting to the part about the mummy. The historical grapevine has it that Mieg felt “Horseshoe Mountain” and “Windy Gulch” weren’t particularly sexy and didn’t have much marketing appeal. One day, he took a long look and decided that the mountain closely resembled an Egyptian mummy lying down, and apparently believing that a more interesting name would help sell his properties, voila – Mummy Mountain was born.

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Paradise Valley Is Home to Many Fun Things to Do

Wednesday, June 23rd, 2010

You will never grow bored in Paradise Valley, Arizona with the stunning scenery and dramatic views of Camelback Mountain and Mummy Mountain, fabulous sun and year-round weather, and an upscale rural ambience. While these offer a lot of enjoyment, these are far from your only options. You will be able to find activities, events, and excursions that will take you deeper into the heart of Paradise Valley real estate.  Sun-filled lazy days are nice – and you are sure to get your fill of those – but when you want a little more adventure, a little more excitement, and a lot more fun, you will have no shortage of options.

Legendary architectural innovator Paolo Soleri established the Cosanti Foundation in Paradise Valley, Arizona in 1956.  Cosanti is where Soleri established and created his well-known line of ceramic and bronze Soleri Windbells and has also been the headquarters for his nonprofit educational organization dedicated to architectural research.

You can visit the saguaro-studded mountain formerly known as Windy Gulch or Horseshoe Mountain, which is now known as Mummy Mountain which was named by long-time resident Charlie Mieg. Another landmark though more hidden than Mummy Mountain is the final resting place for approximately 900 local homesteaders, ranch workers and luminaries – Camelback Cemetery. The cemetery dates back to 1915 and was named for the beautiful mountain behind it.

If you are hungry or thirsty, a must is the storied El Chorro Lodge which is renowned for its historic charm and magnificent setting. This landmark is snuggled in the shadows of Camelback and Mummy mountains and was originally designed and used as the Judson School for Girls. Currently the original schoolroom serves as the main bar of this legendary restaurant.

One of the United States’ best-known Arizonans and politicians was Senator Barry Goldwater. This great Arizonan died in 1998 in his beloved hilltop Paradise Valley home. In 2004 Arizona artist Joe Beeler unveiled a statue to honor Senator Goldwater’s legacy. The memorial also includes a path inscribed with noteworthy quotes from Senator Goldwater.

If a Spa is more your speed then The Phoenician, the Camelback Inn, and the Sanctuary Resort and Spa just to name a few, are definitely places to look into to spend a couple hours or an entire day.

Paradise Valley got it name in the late 1800s because three surveyors were so enthralled by the beauty and tranquility of the desert landscape. While Paradise Valley is only 16 miles of beautiful and high-class real estate nestled between Scottsdale and Phoenix at the base of Mummy and Camelback Mountains, within the town you can find sprawling properties that are home to man-made masterpieces, as well as nature-created scenic views that simply have to be seen to be believed. One thing is for sure, this is one little town to that offers many things to do and see and is a wonderful place to call home.

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International Baccalaureate Program at Home in Paradise Valley Schools

Thursday, June 17th, 2010

There are a number of reasons that Paradise Valley homes and estates are so highly sought after by families interested in quality public education for their children. Here’s one: excellent schools. If you’re considering purchasing a home, land or other residential real estate in Paradise Valley, chances are you’re interested in the local school district and what it has to offer your children and your entire family.

While there are many exceptional private schools nearby, the top-rated Paradise Valley public schools are also an outstanding choice for many families. One of the educational offerings that make the Paradise Valley Unified School District enticing to those interested in an excellent education is the International Baccalaureate program (www.ibo.org). More commonly known as an “IB” program, this rigorous program challenges students’ thought processes and helps them gain an international perspective.

In Paradise Valley, the inquiry-based IB program is for 11th and 12th grade students who have successfully completed the required coursework and community service during their freshman and sophomore years. Throughout the intensive two-year program, juniors and seniors take courses with a global focus and are expected to score well on assessments in six subject areas in both humanities and science.

With a total enrollment of over 33,000 students, the Paradise Valley district is the seventh largest school district in Arizona. The district’s 98-square-mile boundaries include a significant portion of northeast Phoenix as well as a portion of north Scottsdale, and extend from Seventh Avenue on the west to Pima Road on the east. The southern boundary is Northern Avenue, with the northern boundary being Jomax Road.

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Gifted Children Will Be at Home in Paradise Valley Schools

Friday, May 28th, 2010

While all parents rightfully think their child is exceptional, some children truly are gifted intellectually and benefit from a differentiated type of educational curriculum and teaching style. If you’re looking at homes or other residential real estate for sale in Paradise Valley and you’ve been told your child is gifted, you should consider looking into the Paradise Valley Unified School District’s Self-contained gifted program. The program is currently located at one elementary school, with plans for expansion if there is enough demand.

Paradise Valley’s self-contained gifted program is designed for high-achieving, highly gifted students (generally in the top 3 percent of the population) whose needs may not be met by the other gifted programs offered in the school district. Recognizing that gifted students have unique educational needs, the program lets students approach the learning experience with an expanded curiosity, allowing them to often work two or more years beyond their grade level. Flexibly paced, the program focuses on higher-level thinking skills, individual creativity and problem-solving, but it also keeps the children appropriately socialized through inclusive participation in grade-level special areas, activities and field trips.

With a total enrollment of over 33,000 students, the Paradise Valley district is the seventh largest school district in Arizona. The district’s 98-square-mile boundaries include a significant portion of homes in northeast Phoenix as well as a portion of homes in north Scottsdale, and extend from Seventh Avenue on the west to Pima Road on the east. The southern boundary is Northern Avenue, with the northern boundary being Jomax Road.

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Paradise Valley Arizona is Home to Goldwater Memorial

Tuesday, May 25th, 2010

There are a number of reasons that Paradise Valley real estate is all so highly sought after by individuals as well as families. Fabulous year-round weather, an upscale rural ambience, close to fine amenities and dramatic views of Camelback Mountain and Mummy Mountain – what more could you ask for?

How about a storied history of politicians and celebrities who have called Paradise Valley home?

One of the nation’s best-known Arizonans and politicians was Senator Barry Goldwater. For many, many years, Senator Goldwater owned a sprawling ranch-style home nestled high on a hilltop in the heart of Paradise Valley; his home was named Be-Nun-I-Kin, which is Navajo for “house on a hill.” This sun-kissed estate boasts 360-degree views of the entire Valley, including Phoenix and Scottsdale, and after his death, some of his acreage was eventually sub-divided into several view-rich homesites.

To honor the legacy of Senator Goldwater, the Town of Paradise Valley commissioned the first major work of art to commemorate the life of the late, great Arizonan who died in 1998 in his beloved hilltop home. On February 14, 2004, a one-and-one-half-times life-size statue sculpted by noted Arizona artist Joe Beeler was unveiled at the northeast corner of Tatum Boulevard and Lincoln Drive in Paradise Valley. Although the bronze statue is the focal point for the Memorial, the site is professionally landscaped with desert plantings and includes a pedestrian path inscribed with noteworthy quotes denoting some of Senator Goldwater’s lifetime beliefs.

Barry Goldwater was famous as a politician, a talented photographer and as an avid and skilled pilot. But above all he was a passionate American and Arizonan who loved the many unique features of his home state. According to the Town of Paradise Valley, this beautiful sculptural portrait and its natural desert setting speak eloquently of what was important to him.

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Paradise Valley Schools Home to Many National Board Certified Teachers

Tuesday, May 4th, 2010

Kudos to the Paradise Valley Unified School District for having over 60 teachers who have earned National Board Certification, one of the highest achievements in the teaching profession. The Paradise Valley Unified School District is one of the top two districts in Arizona in terms of the number of National Board Certified Teachers, a fact that proves that if you purchase or already own a home, land or other residential real estate in Paradise Valley, the local public schools offer an excellent choice for your family.

Developed by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, the elite National Board Certification strengthens and reaffirms teaching strategies, adds credibility to the teaching profession and represents the profession’s commitment to high standards. After teachers attain eligibility, they take a Pre-Candidacy class to prepare for the certification process, which takes one to three years depending on the pathway a teacher chooses.

The Paradise Valley Unified School District district consists of 45 schools: 31 elementary schools (kindergarten through grade six), eight middle schools (grades seven and eight) and six high schools (grades nine through 12). The district offers a variety of specialized education choice programs, including K-12 International Baccalaureate, Core Knowledge©, S.T.E.M.G2 (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Global Geography), Digital Learning Center and much more.

With a total enrollment of over 33,000 students, the Paradise Valley district is the seventh largest school district in Arizona. The district’s 98-square-mile boundaries include a significant portion of northeast Phoenix as well as a portion of north Scottsdale, and extend from Seventh Avenue on the west to Pima Road on the east. The southern boundary is Northern Avenue, with the northern boundary being Jomax Road.

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