At Scottsdale Unified School District (SUSD), student success goes beyond the classroom, and through its growing partnership with Blue Zones Project Scottsdale, well-being is becoming part of everyday school culture.
Since August 2025, Mountainside Middle School has been leading the way as a Blue Zones Project Approved™ School, turning simple, intentional habits into meaningful moments for students. In collaboration with Blue Zones Project Scottsdale and supported by a dedicated PTO, the school has launched one of its most impactful initiatives yet: “Blue Zones First Fridays.”
Before the first bell even rings, the campus is already buzzing with energy. Students are welcomed with tables of healthy snacks, simple, nourishing options designed to fuel both body and mind. But what truly sets the experience apart is the sense of connection and joy woven into every interaction.
At the center of it all is a brightly colored spinning wheel, drawing lines of excited students eager to participate. Each spin invites them into a quick, engaging Power 9® activity, whether it’s getting their bodies moving with jumping jacks, sharing something they’re proud of, or offering a compliment to a peer. These small, but powerful moments reinforce positivity, movement, and connection in ways that feel natural, fun, and lasting.
The results have been immediate and inspiring. Students look forward to First Fridays. Conversations about wellness are making their way home. Families are engaging. What began as a simple idea has quickly evolved into a shared culture of well-being.
The impact doesn’t stop there.
Inspired by Mountainside’s success, Laguna Prep, also on the path to becoming Blue Zones approved, has launched its own version, hosting celebrations on the second Friday of each month. With the same focus on healthy choices, community connection, and student engagement, Laguna is already seeing the excitement ripple through its campus.
This is how partnerships create momentum.
Today, 15 SUSD schools are officially Blue Zones Project Approved™, with eight more actively working toward that goal. Across the district, schools are embracing creative ways to integrate well-being into daily routines, not as an added program, but as a natural part of the student experience.
The Blue Zones Project is rooted in research from National Geographic Fellow and best-selling author Dan Buettner, who identified communities around the world where people live the longest, healthiest lives. By bringing those principles, known as the Power 9®, into schools, SUSD and Blue Zones Project Scottsdale are helping students build habits that support lifelong health and happiness.
Supported locally by HonorHealth®, The Cigna Group, and Goodwill of Central and Northern Arizona, this partnership reflects a shared commitment to making the healthy choice the easy choice for students, families, and the broader Scottsdale community.
From a simple snack table to a districtwide movement, SUSD’s collaboration with Blue Zones is proof that small, consistent actions can lead to big change.
The Scottsdale Unified School District (SUSD) continues to lead the way in student health and wellness through its thriving partnership with the Blue Zones Project. Recently, three more campuses, Hohokam, Navajo, and Tavan Elementary Schools, have earned the distinguished designation of Scottsdale Blue Zones Project® Approved Schools, underscoring SUSD’s deep commitment to creating healthier, happier learning environments.
With this recognition, Hohokam, Navajo and Tavan join a growing group of SUSD campuses intentionally designing school cultures where the healthy choice is the easy choice for students, staff, and families alike.
The Blue Zones Project is inspired by the groundbreaking research of National Geographic Fellow and New York Times best-selling author Dan Buettner, whose work identified communities around the world where people live longer, healthier, and more meaningful lives. Bringing those lessons into schools, Blue Zones–approved campuses implement evidence-based practices that encourage natural movement throughout the day, nutritious eating habits, positive social connections, and a strong sense of purpose and belonging.
At Hohokam, Navajo, and Tavan, wellness is visible in everyday moments. Students are encouraged to stay active and engaged. School meals emphasize nutritious options that support growing bodies and minds. Staff members model healthy habits and foster a culture of connection and belonging. Families are welcomed as partners in promoting lifelong well-being. Together, these efforts create a positive school climate where students feel supported and empowered to thrive.
This work reflects SUSD’s core values in action. Placing students first means caring for the whole child, academically, socially, and physically. Building strong relationships ensures that every student feels seen and valued. Creating supportive environments allows each campus to become a place where students not only learn, but flourish.
Hohokam, Navajo, and Tavan now join an impressive roster of SUSD Blue Zones–approved schools, including Coronado High School, Mountainside Middle School, Cochise Elementary School, Hopi Elementary School, Yavapai Elementary School, Redfield Elementary School, Echo Canyon School, Anasazi Elementary School, Pima Elementary School, Cocopah Middle School, and Sequoya Elementary School. Each designation represents months of thoughtful collaboration and dedication by administrators, teachers, staff, students, and families working together to prioritize health and well-being.
The partnership between SUSD and the Blue Zones Project demonstrates what is possible when a district commits to whole-child education. By embedding wellness into the fabric of school life, SUSD is shaping not only strong students, but strong communities. As more campuses earn the Blue Zones distinction, the district’s commitment to lifelong health, purpose, and success continues to grow, benefiting every student who walks through its doors.
There’s something powerful about seeing a city gather around its young artists.
On March 6–7, 2026, the fourth annual Scottsdale ArtsFest transforms the Scottsdale Civic Center into a vibrant showcase of imagination, collaboration and community spirit. At the heart of it all are more than 1,000 students from Scottsdale Unified School District (SUSD), stepping confidently into the spotlight to share their creative voices.
The festival’s move to the Civic Center marks a new era for ArtsFest. After three successful years at ASU SkySong, the downtown setting opens the celebration to an even broader audience, inviting families, neighbors and visitors to experience two days of performances, exhibitions and hands-on artistic exploration in the center of Scottsdale.
Throughout the Civic Center, curated exhibitions will feature painting, drawing, sculpture and mixed media pieces created by elementary, middle and high school students. Large collaborative murals, bold in scale and vision, demonstrate not only technical growth, but teamwork and creative confidence.
On the 360 Stage, choirs, orchestras, bands and theater groups fill the air with music and movement. A special family-friendly performance by Arizona Opera adds another professional layer to the weekend, modeling artistic excellence while celebrating young performers.
For Superintendent Dr. Scott Menzel, the event represents something deeper than a showcase.
“Arts education is essential to helping young people discover who they are and what they can achieve, and this festival showcases the very best of that creative spirit throughout our district,” Menzel said. “We are deeply grateful for the city of Scottdale and all our community partners who come together to help make this showcase possible. Their continued support, collaboration and belief in the power of arts education allow our students to shine and ensure that this event remains a vibrant celebration.”
During the weekend, Scottsdale Community Partners hosts its annual Alli Ortega Empty Bowls Fundraiser. Handcrafted ceramic bowls, created by SUSD students and community members, are available for purchase, alongside an online auction featuring class art projects and donated goods.
Proceeds support critical programs operated in partnership with Scottsdale Human Services, including Vista del Camino Food Bank, Back-to-School assistance and Healthy Packs weekend food programs serving SUSD students.
In this way, student creativity becomes a catalyst for direct community impact. Art is not only displayed, it sustains.
ArtsFest stands as a testament to what’s possible when education leaders, nonprofit organizations and civic partners align around a shared mission. SUSD brings student talent and dedication. Scottsdale Arts provides vision and professional expertise. Community partners contribute resources and outreach. Together, they create a cultural experience that belongs to the entire city.
Over two days in March, the Civic Center will hum with music, color and connection. Murals will stretch across walls. Applause will echo across the lawn. Young artists will see their work framed, lit and celebrated.
In those moments, the true impact of partnership will be unmistakable, a community investing in its students, and students rising brilliantly to meet the opportunity.
The power of partnership, and the promise of student leadership, was on full display on January 15 as Scottsdale Unified School District and Community Celebrating Diversity came together to host the 26th annual Youth Voices Event in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The long-standing tradition continues to grow each year thanks to the shared commitment of both organizations to elevate student voices, foster inclusion, and build meaningful connections between schools and the broader community. This year’s event was held at Saguaro High School.
The morning opened with a powerful reminder of unity, as students from Saguaro’s elementary feeder schools led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. The Saguaro High School orchestra followed with moving performances of the National Anthem and “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” setting a reflective and inspiring tone for a day centered on courage, identity, and hope.
At the heart of the event were SUSD students, whose voices brought Dr. King’s legacy into the present. Student speaker Erevelia Freeman delivered a message rooted in confidence and perseverance, encouraging peers to believe in their worth and potential even in the face of adversity. “If you go into a situation feeling defeated, you already are,” Freeman shared. “Don’t think that you don’t have every opportunity as anyone else because of your race, because you do.” Her words underscored the importance of self-belief as both empowerment and resistance.
Fellow student speaker Makenna Douglas offered a deeply personal reflection that bridged generations through culture and tradition. She shared her experience learning basket weaving from her so’oh, or grandmother, and spoke about preserving history through storytelling and art. As Douglas described imagining her ancestors weaving under unimaginable circumstances, her words illustrated how resilience, memory, and identity are carried forward. “I wove every story I’ve ever been told into a simple diamond pattern,” Douglas said, connecting past struggles to present strength.
The event concluded with a keynote address from acclaimed civil rights leader and historian Dr. Mary Frances Berry. A former Chair of the U.S. Civil Rights Commission and founder of the Free South Africa Movement, Dr. Berry praised the students for their passion and leadership. “I came here with something on my mind to talk about with this community,” she said, “I’ve changed my mind completely by what I’ve found here… I am just overwhelmed by the warmth, by the commitment, the spirit.” Her remarks were followed by a lively Q&A session and a standing ovation, signaling the impact of the day and the readiness of the next generation to lead.
The celebration of youth voices did not end there. That evening, Community Celebrating Diversity hosted its own community event, continuing the dialogue and reinforcing the strength of the partnership. One of the SUSD student speakers took the stage once again, representing the district with poise and passion. The event was well attended by SUSD staff, members of the Student Advisory Board, and SUSD Governing Board Members. Superintendent Dr. Scott Menzel was one of the hosts of the event, as he serves as the Community Celebrating Diversity Board President, highlighting the district’s deep support for student leadership and community collaboration.
Together, the Youth Voices Event and the evening celebration reflected what is possible when schools and community partners work hand in hand. Through its ongoing partnership with Community Celebrating Diversity, SUSD continues to provide meaningful platforms for students to share their stories, develop their leadership, and help shape a more inclusive future.
Youth Market Days: A Partnership in Action
Scottsdale Unified School District is proud to partner with the City of Scottsdale and Scottsdale Public Library to launch the first ‘Youth Market Days’ event on Saturday, December 6, 2025, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Scottsdale Civic Center.
This one-day event highlights the creativity and entrepreneurial spirit of SUSD students, who have spent months designing recycled products, developing business plans, and learning key economic concepts such as scarcity, opportunity cost, and risk. Their classroom projects will come to life in a real-world market, giving students the chance to share and sell their creations with the community.
The partnership brings together education, civic engagement, and public resources to provide students with hands-on learning that connects classroom lessons to real-world applications. Families and community members are invited to attend, shop local, and support the next generation of innovators.
‘Youth Market Days’ is more than a marketplace, it’s a celebration of collaboration, creativity, and the bright future of Scottsdale’s youth.
Celebrating Our Partnership with the SUSD Foundation: A Festive Night at the Holiday Show
We are truly grateful for our strong partnership with the SUSD Foundation, and this year’s Ho Ho Holiday Show was yet another reminder of the incredible dedication and community spirit this organization brings to our district.
Each year, this festive gathering signals the start of the holiday season in the best way possible. It’s filled with laughter, joyful conversations, and a shared commitment to supporting SUSD students and schools.
To everyone who attended, donated, sponsored, or lent their time and talent, thank you. Your generosity strengthens the Foundation’s impact and supports the work happening every day throughout SUSD. We are deeply grateful for your continued partnership, especially during this season of giving.