The Scottsdale Unified School District (SUSD) continues to set the standard for academic excellence, once again earning an “A” rating from the Arizona Department of Education and topping Maricopa County in student performance.

According to Spring 2025 state assessment results, SUSD achieved the highest overall performance in both English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics among all districts in Maricopa County. On the statewide stage, SUSD stands out as Arizona’s top-performing district serving more than 10,000 students in both subjects, a remarkable achievement that highlights the strength of the district’s academic programs and community partnerships.

This success reflects the district’s ongoing commitment to excellence, innovation, and student growth. SUSD has made targeted efforts to boost math achievement across all grade levels, implementing expanded course offerings, specialized interventions, professional learning for educators, and stronger family engagement to ensure every student has the tools to succeed.

Those efforts are clearly making an impact. Of SUSD’s 30 schools, 22 earned an “A” rating, six earned a “B,” and two earned a “C.”

“We are incredibly proud of our students, teachers, and staff for their hard work and dedication,” said Superintendent Dr. Scott Menzel. “Earning an ‘A’ rating once again reflects the strength of our academic programs and the deep partnership we share with our families and community.”

SUSD’s “A”-rated schools include:
Anasazi, Cherokee, Cheyenne, Cochise, Cocopah, Copper Ridge, DCES, DCMS, Echo Canyon, Hopi, Kiva, Laguna, Navajo, Pima, Pueblo, Redfield, Sequoya, Tavan, Arcadia, Chaparral, Desert Mountain, and Saguaro.

“B”-rated schools: Hohokam, Ingleside, Mohave, Mountainside, Yavapai, and Coronado.

“C”-rated schools: Tonalea and SOL.

“These results are a reflection of the exceptional work happening in classrooms across our district,” said Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services Lea Mitchell. “We are grateful for the dedication of our educators and the ongoing support of our parents and community.”

SUSD’s strong results reaffirm the district’s commitment to providing every student with an education that prepares them for success in college, career, and life.

To learn more about Scottsdale Unified School District programs and performance, visit susd.org.

Learn More at the Source

Scottsdale Unified School District is excited to announce the next step in the K–11 Math Curriculum Adoption process, the launch of the Try and Apply initiative.

This hands-on opportunity allows teachers and students to explore new math programs in classrooms. By trying out materials directly, our educators can see which resources best support student learning, engagement, and success. 

The K–11 Curriculum Adoption Committee has reviewed a variety of resources and has narrowed down the list. The following curricula have been selected to move on to the next phase of our adoption process:

Elementary Schools

• SAVVAS enVision+ 2027
• McGraw Hill Reveal Math
• HMH Into Math v2 2026

Middle Schools

• SAVVAS enVision+ 2027
• McGraw Hill Reveal Math

High Schools

• SAVVAS enVision 2024
• McGraw Hill Reveal Math
• Cengage

What Is Try and Apply?

From October 27 through December 12, teachers across the district will explore resources from these finalist programs. During this time, they’ll plan and teach lessons using the materials, gathering feedback from both teachers and students.

This experience will help our Math Adoption Committee make an informed recommendation to the Governing Board later this school year, ensuring our final selection truly meets the needs of our students and staff.

See the Materials for Yourself!

All finalist materials are available for public review at the Mohave District Annex (MDA), 8500 E. Jackrabbit Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85250.

• Display Dates: October 20, 2025 – March 10, 2026
• Hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM–3:00 PM (district operating days)

To schedule a visit outside these hours, please call 480-484-5103. We are happy to accommodate your schedule.

We invite families and community members to stop by, explore the materials, and share feedback.

Looking Ahead

After the pilot concludes in December, teacher and community feedback will be reviewed before a final recommendation is made to the Governing Board.

Thank you to our teachers, staff, and families for your continued partnership as we work together to ensure every student experiences meaningful, high-quality math learning every day.

Learn More at the Source

At the heart of every thriving school district is a dedicated team of instructional coaches empowering educators, enriching instruction, and supporting student success. In our Teaching and Learning department, we are proud to serve as partners in this mission, collaborating with teachers, administrators, and staff to create meaningful learning experiences for all students.

This month, we invite you to get to know these passionate professionals behind the scenes who are driving innovation, fostering growth, and championing excellence in our classrooms. From curriculum development to instructional coaching, our team brings a wealth of expertise and a shared commitment to continuous improvement. We are excited to introduce ourselves and share how we support teaching and learning across the district.

• Stacey Pasquel - As Professional Learning and Innovation Coordinator, she is passionate about empowering educators throughout their professional continuum. She coordinates professional development activities and champions innovative initiatives across the district.
  You can reach Stacey at: Email: spasquel@susd.org | Phone: (480) 484-6162
   
• Michelle Irvin - Serving as the Coordinator of Fine Arts and Physical Education, she fosters creativity and wellness in schools, promoting Arts-Integrations in academic courses. She is also a resource for the Seal of Fine Arts. She believes the arts enhance learning and engage students. She prioritizes community partnerships, supports arts events, secures funding, and assists arts and PE teachers. Her goal is to empower all to inspire students.
  You can reach Michelle at: Email: mirvin@susd.org | Phone: (480) 484-5051
   
• Diane Murphy - Her role as Elementary ELA Curriculum Coach is to support the implementation of our ELA district-adopted curriculum materials. She collaborates with schools on implementing literacy instruction that supports the science of reading research through professional development, meetings, and one-on-one support. She enjoys collaborating with teachers and PLCs, analyzing data, and designing instruction that supports students’ needs to help them succeed!
  You can reach Diane at: Email: dmurphy@susd.org | Phone: (480) 484-5068
   
• Jonna Wallis - As the Secondary ELA Academic Coach, Jonna empowers teachers to excel in their classrooms. She provides training in our district’s adopted curriculum and offers coaching on best practices for student engagement. Reviewing student data to enhance teaching strategies is a passion for her.
  You can reach Jonna at: Email: jwallis@susd.org | Phone: (480) 484-5123
   
• Carrie Chapman - In my position as Elementary Math Coach, Carrie is dedicated to aiding teachers in improving math instruction with a student-centered approach. She collaborates on planning, offers curriculum insights, models hands-on lessons, conducts training, and provides feedback to create a positive learning atmosphere.
  You can reach Carrie at: Email: cchapman@susd.org | Phone: (480) 603-5382
   
• Carline Fried - As a Secondary Math Coach, Carline enjoys connecting and working with teachers to strengthen and reinvigorate math instruction. She can offer support in differentiating instruction, utilizing engaging resources, and creating student-centered lessons. She believes that together, we can make math enjoyable and impactful for all learners!
  You can reach Carline at: Email: cfried@susd.org | Phone: (925) 999-5345
   
• Wendy Diozzi - As a World Languages Academic Coach, Wendy is dedicated to empowering our World Languages team and enriching language instruction. She supports teachers with the adopted curriculum and instructional methods, while also serving as a resource for the Seal of Biliteracy. Whether through collaborative planning, co-teaching, or personalized coaching sessions—on-site or virtually—she is here to help you succeed.
  You can reach Wendy at: Email: wdiozzi@susd.org | Phone: (480) 484-5120
   
• Dylan Bullard - As the K-12 Social Studies Curriculum Coach, Dylan is dedicated to equipping teachers with the tools and support they need to bring history, civics, geography, and economics to life in the classroom. He thrives on collaborating with educators to design innovative lessons and projects that spark curiosity, encourage critical thinking, and connect Social Studies to students’ real-world experiences. His goal is to help transform Social Studies from memorizing facts into an inspiring journey of exploration, discovery, and empowerment for every student.
  You can reach him at: Email: dbullard@susd.org | Phone: (480) 484-5115
   
• Lotus Kaplan - In her role as a Digital Innovation Coach, Lotus offers professional technology training to educators. Using digital tools, she empowers educators to leverage technology effectively in teaching. Through lesson demos, co-teaching, and virtual coaching, she supports educators in creating impactful learning experiences.
  You can reach Lotus at: Email: lkaplan@susd.org | Phone: (480) 484-5113

Learn More at the Source

Welcoming a New Year of Learning: Our Focus, Their Future

The Teaching and Learning Department was proud to host our annual New Teacher Orientation from July 23–25, welcoming an inspiring group of new educators to the Scottsdale Unified School District family. Over the course of three days, our newest team members engaged in collaborative learning, explored district initiatives, and connected with colleagues and leaders who will support them throughout their journey.

We are excited to share that 165 new certified educators have joined SUSD this year! This includes:

• 145 classroom teachers
• 15 related service providers, including:
  • 5 nurses
  • 3 guidance counselors
  • 4 psychologists
  • 3 social workers

These educators bring a wide range of experience—from brand-new teachers to those with over 30 years in the field. Many are already familiar faces, having served as guest teachers or student teachers within our district. Others come to us from neighboring districts such as Paradise Valley, Phoenix Union, Phoenix Elementary, and Creighton, as well as charter schools like BASIS and Legacy. We have also welcomed educators from across the country—including California, Virginia, Wisconsin, North Dakota, South Carolina, and Illinois—and even internationally, from Spain, Mexico, and Japan.

In addition to supporting our new hires, we have also provided targeted professional development for all returning staff members to ensure a strong and unified start to the school year. These sessions focused on instructional excellence, student engagement, and aligning with our district’s 2025 theme: “Our Focus, Their Future.” This guiding principle reflects our shared commitment to student success and the collective impact of our educators.

As we begin this new school year, we want to extend a heartfelt welcome back to all SUSD families. We hope your summer was restful and joyful, and we are excited to partner with you in the year ahead. With renewed energy, a talented team, and a clear focus, we are ready to make 2025 a year of growth, connection, and achievement for every student.

Learn More at the Source