We’re one of five elementary schools in the J.O. Combs Unified School District, located in the warm and beautiful San Tan Valley of Arizona. You’ll find our school conveniently located at the southeast corner of Combs & Gantzel Roads. We proudly serve students in kindergarten through 5th grade.

What makes us unique is our “Back-to-Basics” philosophy. Here at Combs Traditional Academy we develop a solid foundation of fundamental and higher-level thinking skills through a structured curriculum that is consistent and sequential throughout grade levels. We deliver curriculum using direct teaching techniques, whole class instruction, and other approved teaching methods. We also plan our teaching and learning around textbooks and written assignments and do not interrupt classes for non-curricular programs or activities.

Browse our Web site to find out more about who we are and our educational philosophy. If you feel your child would benefit from what we have to offer, don’t hesitate to contact us. We look forward to meeting you!

Dear Knight Families,

While every student is engaged in learning daily here at Combs Traditional Academy, the month of December also helps us to focus on the character pillar of Caring. In November, our Student Council organized a very successful, week-long food drive for our J.O. Combs Food Bank. That was followed up by the United Food Bank drive with Hometown Heroes. Our students wrote letters to our Veterans and we had a current member of the National Guard speak to our students.

Our Mission states that we are here to provide a rigorous academic focus for all students; it also states that it will happen in an environment that emphasizes responsibility and respect. Both responsibility and respect play a role in caring. While the Character Counts pillars separate out facets of character (Trustworthiness, Responsibility, Respect, Fairness, Caring, Citizenship), none of them stand alone. They each play into the other one. It is our view that if a student focuses on responsibility and respect, they will also be trustworthy, fair, caring, and a good citizen.

Taking responsibility for our actions and owning up to our mistakes, allows us to reflect on our behavior. When we point the finger at another as the reason for our nonsuccess, it allows us to avoid our personal responsibility. This, then, makes it difficult for us to empathize with others, which is essential to caring. If we are rigorous in our responsibility, then our children will be empowered to become the conscientious and self-motivated leaders of society.

Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. The Golden Rule is at the heart of respect. This requires us to be reflective, as well. How do I want to be treated? If I were in their shoes, would I want to be spoken to or treated in a specific manner? By being rigorous in our reflection on how we show the Six Pillars and our expectations for ourselves with the Six Pillars, we can become more respectful of ourselves and each other, and, at this time of the year, better show our caring. Again, then, if we model this ourselves and expect it of our children, they will be empowered to become conscientious and self-motivated leaders of society.

It is our Vision that our students will develop the essential skills to become higher level thinkers that will empower them to become respectful, self-disciplined, conscientious, and self-motivated leaders of society. I believe by teaching and emphasizing Rigor, Responsibility, and Respect both at home and at school, our students can achieve that vision. 

Thank you,


Marcus Berkshire
Principal