In The News

PHOENIX—Twenty Arizona high-school seniors have been awarded the 2025 Flinn Scholarship, the state’s most prestigious merit-based award that provides a full ride to an Arizona public university.    

The 40^th class of Flinn Scholars receives a comprehensive package valued at more than $135,000 over four years, including the cost of tuition, fees, housing, meals, and at least two study-abroad experiences including a two-week group summer seminar following freshman year.

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In a remarkable demonstration of leadership, giving, and tenacity, teams from Arcadia High, Brophy and Xavier encouraged friends, family members, and local supporters to donate to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s (LLS) Student Visionaries of the Year campaign. 

Each year, high school students nationwide are challenged to compete in fundraising for LLS while gaining important leadership experience – and all three took on that challenge with much enthusiasm and commitment. For Garrett Larsen, a sophomore and the leader of “Team Rockin’ Leukemia,” the cause was deeply personal. His father died of acute lymphoblastic leukemia when he was a baby. Throughout the years, LLS was a source of support and financial assistance. 

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Just like the meaning of the Ancient Greek word, “an assembly of the people,” Arcadia High’s annual Agora is a mecca of fine art, and something the school looks forward to every year. 

Agora is made possible through the efforts of Arcadia’s National Art Honor Society (NAHS) students and art teacher Cira Riccio. At this event, student artwork from Arcadia High, Ingleside, Hopi, Tavan and Echo Canyon is displayed in the hallways for attendees.

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In an increasingly interconnected world, students need more than strong academics—they need a global mindset, critical thinking skills, and a sense of purpose. That’s why families are turning to Scottsdale Unified School District (SUSD), home to Arizona’s only full K–12 International Baccalaureate (IB) continuum.

Spanning Anasazi Elementary School, Mountainside Middle School, and Desert Mountain High School, SUSD’s IB pathway offers students a consistent, world-class education designed to foster inquiry, intercultural understanding, and personal growth.

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The Scottsdale Unified School District is expanding the Math and Science Academy at Saguaro High School to Mohave Middle School, which school officials say will create a premier destination for families seeking a rigorous Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics education.

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.

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A Valley teacher is being recognized for helping to shape the lives of preschoolers for over two decades.

Whether it’s in the classroom or in the school’s community garden and greenhouse, Ms. Lynn always shows up and shows out. Every single day, she works before and after school for her students’ success, and she really, truly cares. 

Ms. Lynn has been working with preschoolers at Navajo Elementary in Scottsdale for nearly two decades. The children are just at the beginning of their education journeys. 

She’s involved in the school’s Panda Program, which provides early intervention services for kids ages 3 to 5 with special needs.

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The Scottsdale Charros Program supports SUSD in various ways – namely, by bringing programs, resources and scholarships to the schools and recognizing the district’s outstanding students and educators with The Scottsdale Charros Education Awards. 

For the past 60 years, educators in the district have received a personalized plaque and a $2,000 grant from the association. 

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Arcadia softball sophomore Sydney Kelley may be an underclassman, but she has played like an experienced veteran in her first two seasons with the Titans. 

The sophomore middle infielder led the team last season in five categories as a freshman, and she’s doing more of the same this year for the reigning Desert Sky Region champions.

Kelley last season batted a whopping .445 with 49 hits, 23 RBIs, 46 runs, 30 stolen bases, and an on-base percentage of .479 in 34 games played.

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The Chaparral girls soccer team is not only good on the field but they can cook up a mean bowl of pasta for bonding nights. 

To keep up with their championship appearances, Chaparral prioritizes the bond within the entire team.

Parties such as pasta nights helps keep the team as close knit as possible to continue to earn their state championship titles.  

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The momentum is building toward a family festival to celebrate visual and performing arts created by Scottsdale students as it returns in late March for its third year.

Scottsdale Family ArtsFest at SkySong will be held on March 21-22 at SkySong, The ASU Scottsdale Innovation Center in Scottsdale. The event is a partnership between Arizona State University, the Scottsdale Unified School District, Scottsdale Arts, the city of Scottsdale, and the SkySong development team. 

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The hallways of Pima Elementary School were jammed with Panther families on a recent evening as the school celebrated its annual Title I Reading Night.

This year’s theme, according to a press release from Scottsdale Unified School District, was “Reading Through the Eras.” Students traveled from classroom to classroom, collecting clues from different decades and eras, from the ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s to Star Wars, Care Bears and Where’s Waldo?

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In July, two Scottsdale Unified School District (SUSD) assistant principals (APs) will take the reins of the schools they’ve been serving as seconds-in-command. 

The SUSD Governing Board recently voted to elevate Maggie Finan to the principal’s post at Hohokam Elementary School and Zachary Woodward to the principal’s post at Cherokee Elementary School. Finan will succeed award-winning, 30-year SUSD educator Chuck Rantala; Woodward takes over from 15-year Cherokee principal and 32-year veteran educator Walt Chantler.

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With a passion for the game and a commitment to his players, Dean Lamppa has become a cornerstone of Arcadia varsity girls’ tennis, leading them through challenges and triumphs. Coaching and running a sports team is no easy task, yet Coach Lamppa handles each of its elements with grace – and it’s only his second year at the school. 

When it comes to his philosophy, Lamppa keeps an open mind. He believes in the importance of multiple opinions and listening to each individual player. He said that becoming a good listener was an essential step in becoming a successful coach. 

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Music education is thriving in the Scottsdale Unified School District (SUSD), where students from elementary through high school receive top-tier instruction and performance opportunities. 

As March marks Music in Our Schools Month, educators and administrators reflect on the profound impact of music on student development and the district’s commitment to fostering musical excellence.

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Artwork and entertainment helped transform the courtyards between Desert Canyon Elementary and Desert Canyon Middle schools into a Chinese night market recently as the schools’ Mandarin Dual Language Immersion students and their families celebrated Chinese New Year.

Outfitted in red, traditional Chinese garb, students’ performances showcased what they’re learning about Chinese language and culture through the Scottsdale Unified School District.

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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

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Two Scottsdale Unified School District middle school students claimed the district’s annual spelling bee championships last week.

Tonalea Middle School eighth grade student Fabian Marquez Rodriguez won the SUSD Spanish Spelling Bee, followed the next day by Ingleside Middle School sixth grader Landry Bruyere, who claimed the district spelling bee title. Both events were held at Coronado High School.

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