Arizona Charter Academy, 16011 N. Dysart Road, was recognized Sept. 5 as one of Arizona’s “Most Admired Companies” during a ceremony held at the Ritz Carlton in Phoenix. This is the third straight year that the school has received this prestigious honor.

Arizona Business Magazine and BestCompaniesAZ teamed up to recognize the contributions and impact that local companies bring to the state. Special Spotlight Award categories included Workplace Culture, Leadership Excellence, Social Responsibility and Customer Excellence.

Chief operations officer Melissa Holdaway said the award is based on employee, customer and community opinions and focuses on companies with more than 25 employees.

“We are both proud and humbled to have been chosen as one of the most admired companies for the third year in a row,” she said. “Every day, both the teachers and staff strive to create a positive culture for our students that embraces racial and economic diversity in a safe and welcoming environment. To be recognized for our efforts three times is truly very gratifying and affirming to everyone who works here.”

Examples of the school’s commitment to the community, Ms. Holdaway said, include annual trips to an impoverished area to build a home from the ground up for a family, blood drives, monetary donations from students for various causes, community clean up events and shared decision making and leadership opportunities for staff.