Home

Question: What percentage of the budget is for instructional expenditures based on the Auditor General School District Spending Report?

The Arizona Auditor General's School District Spending Report is based on actual expenditures from the prior fiscal year, not on a school district's adopted budget. Because the report reflects actual spending after the fiscal year has ended, it should not be directly compared to the district's adopted budget. A budget represents planned expenditures based on projected enrollment, staffing, and program needs, while actual expenditures reflect what was ultimately spent during the fiscal year.

SUSD is exploring long-range options for schools in the Desert Mountain Learning Community, including Copper Ridge School, to ensure strong academic programs, efficient use of facilities, and long-term sustainability. No decisions have been made, and there will be no school changes for the 2026–27 school year. Community input is an important part of this process — we invite you to review the information and share your feedback through this survey. 

Saguaro High School’s football team hoisted the 2021 Open Division state championship trophy on then-Sun Devil Stadium’s grass.

The player under center for the 20-15 victory over Chandler didn’t take a snap for the Sabercats until the sixth game of the season.

Dear SUSD families and community,

The countdown is officially on!

On Monday, Aug. 10, we will open our doors to welcome our students back for a historic milestone: Scottsdale Unified School District’s 130th school year!

Our theme for this year is "A Legacy of Learning." We are incredibly proud to celebrate our journey from a single schoolhouse in 1896 to a powerhouse district of 27 world-class schools today. While we honor our deep roots, this milestone year is all about leveraging our history to launch bold, next-generation opportunities for our students.

Here is a look at the future-focused initiatives, summer achievements, and academic benchmarks guiding us into the new school year:

SCOTTSDALE, AZ — For many children who rely on school meals, summer can be one of the hungriest times of year when classes are out, and regular access to food disappears.

Scottsdale Unified School District recognized that need and launched a flexible grab-and-go program that allows families to pick up a week's worth of meals at once. Last year, they served more than 135,000 meals, and this year, they're bringing the food distribution back.

As we reflect on the 2025–2026 school year, what stands out most is not just what we accomplished, but how our students, staff and community came together to achieve at the highest levels.

The Scottsdale Unified School District announced the 2025–26 recipients of its Innovation Startup Grants, recognizing educators who transformed teaching and learning through creativity, collaboration and hands-on exploration.

The grants supported projects that inspired student engagement, deepened critical thinking and prepared learners for a rapidly changing world. Each of the selected projects exemplified SUSD’s commitment to fostering innovation across grade levels and disciplines.

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — For Patti Bilbrey, ensuring Scottsdale Unified School District students have access to nutritious food doesn't end when the final school bell rings. It is a high-energy, year-round mission driven by creative collaboration, unstoppable teamwork, and a deep love for the children she serves. 

Bilbrey, the Director of Nutrition Services for SUSD, has officially been named a national 2026 Summer Hunger Hero by the non-profit organization No Kid Hungry. This prestigious annual celebration shines a spotlight on extraordinary individuals from across the United States who go above and beyond to end childhood hunger. Out of countless advocates nationwide, Bilbrey is one of just ten honorees selected this year, bringing a massive national victory straight home to the Scottsdale community. 

Scottsdale, Ariz. — After helping lead Saguaro High School to a 4A State Championship and one of the program's most memorable seasons in recent history, senior catcher Alain Gomez-Gudiño has been named the 2025-26 Gatorade Arizona Baseball Player of the Year.

The prestigious honor recognizes the state's top high school baseball player for excellence in athletics, academics, and character. Now in its 41st year, the Gatorade Player of the Year program celebrates student-athletes who not only dominate in competition but also make meaningful contributions in the classroom and their communities.

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — For Jennifer Fox, teaching in Scottsdale Unified School District is more than a career, it is a full-circle journey rooted in gratitude, community, and a lifelong love of learning.

A second-grade teacher at Hopi Elementary School, Fox has been named a semifinalist in the 2027 Arizona Teacher of the Year program through the Arizona Educational Foundation (AEF). The recognition places her among the state’s most distinguished educators and highlights the exceptional teaching and learning taking place in Scottsdale Unified School District classrooms every day.

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (April 14, 2026) — Three students from Desert Mountain High School in Scottsdale Unified School District (SUSD) are making waves in the world of innovation, after capturing the Arizona Track I High School state title in the prestigious Presidential AI Challenge.

Arnav Hingorani, Lukas Burgan, and Levi Gerken, guided by Desert Mountain Science Teacher Michael Knight, rose above more than 2,500 submissions nationwide with their standout project, Artificial Intelligence Recognition (AIR). Their work earned them a place among just 328 state-level winners, advancing them to the highly competitive regional round.

The Presidential AI Challenge, a nationwide initiative, empowers K–12 students and educators to design cutting-edge artificial intelligence solutions that address real-world community challenges, while promoting responsible and ethical AI use.

Scottsdale, Ariz — The Scottsdale Unified School District (SUSD) Governing Board has approved three exciting leadership appointments, bringing experienced and student-centered leaders to Cherokee Elementary School and Saguaro High School.

Scottsdale, Ariz. — A global perspective, a passion for service, and a commitment to learning have earned SUSD fifth-grade student, Rose Gorman one of Arizona’s highest student honors.

The fifth-grade student at Anasazi Elementary School has been named a 2026 Arizona International Baccalaureate Schools (AZIBS) Primary Years Programme (PYP) Student of the Year, distinction awarded to just two students statewide. She was recognized at the AZIBS Quarterly Meeting on March 27.  

Scottsdale, Ariz. — Scottsdale Unified School District (SUSD) is setting the bar for educational excellence once again, earning designation as a National Board District of Distinction by the Arizona K12 Center.

This prestigious honor recognizes districts that go above and beyond in supporting teachers through the rigorous National Board Certification process and SUSD stands at the top. With 79 National Board Certified Teachers (NBCTs), the district currently has the highest number in the state of Arizona, a powerful reflection of its commitment to both educator growth and student success.