TOP Program

Talent + Opportunity = Promise

Goals and Purposes

Provide an environment which nurtures the intellectual and emotional well-being of bright children.

Recognize children with outstanding potential who may otherwise be overlooked.

Students from Bologna, Frye, Galveston, Hartford, San Marcos, and Shumway are selected to participate in this program. Students are selected based on their Cognitive Abilities Test Scores, Teacher Rating Scores, ATI Galileo Test Scores and and Un-biased Observer Report. Students with high academic potential who are challenged beyond what the regular class environment provides will achieve at higher levels.

Engage families in meaningful ways that support their child's academic success.

Build higher level science, math, and leadership skills in students as a strong platform for long-term success.

Respond to the strengths of students by providing appropriately challenging and advanced learning experiences.

Prepare students for the academic rigors of advanced and honors courses in secondary school.

More Details

TOP stands for Talent + Opportunity = Promise.
Each TOP classroom has 1:1 technology for the students.
Students will be transported from their home school to Hartford Sylvia Encinas Elementary School.
After school activities will be available for TOP students.
School hours are 8:30 AM - 3:00 PM.
Hartford Sylvia Encinas is a uniform school.
Siblings are considered for Open Enrollment.

History of the TOP Program

This is a self-contained, academically accelerated program that serves identified students from identified schools from within the North side of Chandler Unified School District. The 2016-2017 school year was the inaugural year with one 3rd TOP classroom. Due to the success of the program, we have now expanded this program to now serve 1st through 6th grades. TOP is where we know we can make the "impossible" possible!

Thank you to our Partners!

ACP Middle and High School
Chandler High / Overview CHS (tutors, volunteers, guest speakers, etc.)
Perry High School
Basha High School
Hamilton High School
Chandler CARE Center
Valley of the Sun United Way
Local Congregations
Si Se Puede Foundation
Sun Lakes Lions Club
Assistance League of the East Valley
Chandler Masonic Lodge
Jacobson, Knox, Carlson, Sun Lakes neighborhood
City of Chandler
Desert Sounds
Kiwanis
Rotary

Meet our Teachers

Mrs. Klier (1st grade)

Mrs. Klier has been teaching at Hartford Sylvia Encinas Elementary School since 2014. She is excited to expand our TOP program to 1st grade. Mrs. Klier has been teaching 2nd grade math curriculum to 1st grade students in the past and this has been the highlight of each of her days. She is eager to push and grow your child, using a more rigorous curriculum, to ensure the success and readiness of all TOP students.

Mr. Kim (2nd)

Hello! My name is Mr. Delara. I graduated from Purdue University with dual Bachelor’s Degrees in Elementary and Special Education. I also received a Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from NAU. I am currently working on my Gifted Endorsement. I have been teaching for 26 years with the last 9 years being at Hartford S.E teaching grades 1-3. I have taught primary grades since 2004 in the Chandler Unified School District. I am excited about having my first opportunity to teach 2nd grade in the TOP program this year.

Mr. Plitz (3rd)

Mr. Plitz graduated from Rutgers University in 2000 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in history. After working and exploring the country for a few years, he got his Master of Education degree from the University of Phoenix in 2011 and has been teaching ever since. Mr. Plitz has been at Hartford Sylvia Encinas Elementary School since 2013 and teaching 3rd grade TOP since 2017.

Mrs. Swanson (4th)

Mrs. Swanson is new to Hartford Sylvia Encinas Elementary School this year. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Information Systems from Arizona State University and later followed her passion for teaching by earning a Master of Arts degree in Elementary Education from the University of Phoenix. She has taught fourth grade for three years and is delighted to be teaching the 4th grade TOP class this year.

Mrs. Griffin (5th)

My name is Mrs. Griffin, and I am the 5th grade TOP teacher at Hartford. Born and raised in the Midwest, I graduated from the University of Wisconsin and hold a master's degree in Elementary Education. I have been teaching and inspiring students at the elementary and junior high levels for over 20 years. I am married, have two sons, one grandson, two dogs and a cat named Charly.

Mrs. Lovato (6th)

Mrs. Faith Lovato-Perez joined Hartford Sylvia Encinas Elementary School in 2023 and brings extensive experience to the sixth-grade team, where she teaches both the TOPs and on-level classes this year. A dedicated educator since 2000, she earned a Bachelor of Education with a minor in ESL and Bilingual Education from Eastern New Mexico University and has taught in New Mexico, Michigan, Arizona, and Mexico. Her passion for education extends beyond the classroom; she also homeschooled her three children from kindergarten through eighth grade. She enjoys reading and dancing, and her core mission is to inspire students to give 100 percent in everything they strive to accomplish.