Academics In The News
At Desert Canyon Elementary School, the DLI program follows a 50/50 model, where students split their day between English and Mandarin instruction.
In grades K-3, subjects like Reading, Writing, and Social Studies are taught in English, while Math, Science, and Mandarin Language are taught in Mandarin. By grades 4-5, English instruction shifts to Reading, Writing, and Math, with Science, Social Studies, and Mandarin Language taught in Mandarin.
Phoenix, Ariz., February 20, 2025 – The Arizona Educational Foundation (AEF) announced 53 Arizona public schools have qualified for its prestigious A+ School of Excellence Award®. The A+ School of Excellence is the highest state-level recognition given to a public school.
The A+ School of Excellence adjudication process was initially developed 42 years ago as a way of identifying which Arizona public schools would be recommended for the U.S. Department of Education’s National Blue Ribbon Award.
- Hohokam Elementary, Scottsdale Unified School District
- Navajo Elementary, Scottsdale Unified School District
- Pueblo Elementary, Scottsdale Unified School District
February is Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month, the ideal time to recognize the exceptional CTE programs offered by Scottsdale Unified School District (SUSD). These robust programs provide students with comprehensive preparation for both the workforce and higher education.
“SUSD students are fortunate to have 18 different CTE pathways offered across the five high schools,” explained Amy Downs, SUSD’s Director of College and Career Readiness. “Every campus has at least one Healthcare pathway, such as Sports Medicine, and at least one STEAM pathway, such as Digital Publishing, Technical Theater or Engineering. All SUSD’s CTE programs embed academic standards as well as technical and professional standards. When students complete a CTE program, they are eligible for an internship and a graduation distinction, as well.”
Numbers show the Scottsdale Unified School District is emerging as a leader in the academic recovery following the ill-effects of precautions taken during the COVID-19 pandemic where schools across the nation were forced to closed.
Across Arizona, performance by third- through eighth-grade students on the 2024 Arizona Academic Standards Assessments indicates continuing challenges for many school districts, Scottsdale Schools officials tell the Digital Free Press.