Media Releases

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (May 12, 2025) –  Scottsdale Unified School District (SUSD) schools continue to embrace the challenge of becoming Scottsdale Blue Zones Project®-certified, with Sequoya Elementary School, 11801 N. 64^thSt., Scottsdale, being the latest.  On May 8, Sequoya students, teachers and staff, and local Blue Zones officials gathered on an outdoor basketball court to celebrate the school’s official designation.  

The Blue Zones Project is inspired by the research of National Geographic Fellow and New York Times best-selling author Dan Buettner, who discovered pockets around the world where people routinely live healthily and happily to be at least 100 years old.

Principal Veronica Leiper said Sequoya was poised to become a Blue Zones school, having already integrated health and wellness activities into the Stallions’ school culture, including the creation of a walking club this school year and, since February, monthly “Stallion Stampede” bike-to-school events.  Students and parents meet up in the morning before school at nearby Mescal Park and ride bicycles along a 0.9-mile route to the school. 

“We knew we wanted to do make student well-being an official part of our school,” said Leiper.  “Blue Zones was the perfect vehicle to accomplish this goal.”

Scottsdale Blue Zones Organization and Well-Being Coordinator Kris Bio helped guide the school’s certification journey.  “They formed a Blue Zones Council made up of teachers, parents and staff to help lead the effort,” she explained.  “The school added new posters, created an engaging bulletin board, and introduced a fruit and veggie bar to encourage students to try nutritious, new foods.”

And Bio said Sequoya is not done yet:  “Starting next school year, student birthday celebrations will get a fun and healthy twist: instead of sugary treats, students may get to sit in a special birthday chair or wear a crown or sash.  The new school year will also bring daily Mindful Momentsduring morning announcements, Wellness Wednesdays on Sequoya TV, and special lessons from the school social worker focused on emotional and mental well-being.”

“We are committed to our 22 Blue Zones pledges,” stated Leiper, “and we will continue to add improvements to our lifestyle culture.”

“With a healthy lifestyle already a part of our school culture, our students are excited about celebrating this new Blue Zones distinction,” added the proud principal.  

Since the beginning of 2025, Anasazi Elementary, Pima Elementary and Cocopah Middle schools have received Blue Zones approvals.  Echo Canyon School became SUSD’s first Blue Zones school in May 2024.

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#ChooseSUSD
With more than 20,000 students in 30 schools, the Scottsdale Unified School District (SUSD) has been a premier choice for pre-kindergarten through grade 12 public education for 128 years. Located northeast of metropolitan Phoenix, the District serves the educational needs of students and families in Phoenix, Paradise Valley, Fountain Hills, Tempe and Scottsdale. A highly experienced, professionally certified teaching staff fosters a diverse and rigorous educational environment that engages all students in world-class, future-focused learning. Offering gifted learning, special education, career and technical education, and a variety of athletics, arts and enrichment programs and clubs, SUSD provides the rich environment today’s students need to explore their interests, develop important social skills and grow into tomorrow’s leaders. For more information, visit www.susd.org and follow along on social media: Facebook: @ScottsdaleUSD, Instagram: @ScottsdaleUnifiedSD, LinkedIn and YouTube.

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (March 31, 2025) – The Scottsdale Unified School District (SUSD) is proud to announce the expansion of the prestigious Math and Science Academy (MSA) at Saguaro High School to Mohave Middle School, creating a premier destination for families seeking a rigorous STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) education. This expansion will further bolster Mohave’s role as a center for innovation and academic excellence in Scottsdale.

The new Middle School Math and Science Academy will provide specialized course offerings, curriculum pathways, and extracurricular experiences that emphasize rigorous math and science education, preparing students for a seamless transition to the renowned Scottsdale Math and Science Academy at Saguaro High School.

Mohave Middle School: A Premier Destination for Innovation and Learning
Mohave Middle School has long been the natural, next step for students from some of Scottsdale’s most innovative elementary schools:

• Navajo Elementary School feeds into Mohave, bringing a legacy of STEM-focused learning. Navajo is a STEM Cognia-certified school known for its commitment to cultivating critical thinking and innovation in its students, who are well-prepared for the advanced robotics opportunities that will be available to them at Mohave.
• Kiva Elementary School offers SUSD’s Comprehensive Gifted Program, and many of its students continue their accelerated academic journey at Mohave, taking advantage of Honors classes and the opportunity to earn high school credit while they are still in middle school.
• Pueblo Elementary School is home to SUSD's renowned Spanish Dual Language Immersion program, and its students bring rich cultural and linguistic diversity as they advance into Mohave’s STEM-driven environment.

As part of the Math and Science Academy initiative, Mohave will offer exposure to Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs and innovative career exploration through its “Design My Future” program, connecting students’ passions with real-world career paths.

Expanding STEM Learning Opportunities at Mohave
Mohave Middle School is committed to fostering STEM learning experiences that ignite curiosity and creativity in students. Through hands-on, project-based activities ‒ both during regular school hours and in after-school extracurricular programs ‒ students will have the opportunity to apply classroom knowledge to real-world challenges.

“Our vision is to create a space where students can explore, innovate, and thrive,” said Paul Ferrero, principal of Mohave Middle School. “We are committed to providing students with experiences that not only prepare them for academic success but also spark their interest in STEM fields, setting them on a path toward future careers in science, technology, engineering, and math.”

Key Features of the Scottsdale Math and Science Academy at Mohave

• Honors Classes and High School Credit: Students can accelerate their learning through a variety of Honors-level courses and have the unique opportunity to earn high school credits while still in middle school.
• CTE and Career Exploration: Students will gain exposure to CTE programs and participate in career exploration initiatives such as “Design My Future,” helping them understand and plan for future academic and career opportunities.
• Collaborative STEM Spaces: Mohave will create cutting-edge learning environments where students, industry professionals, and community partners can collaborate on authentic STEM challenges.

A Pathway to Success
The expansion of the Math and Science Academy at Mohave is a key part of SUSD’s commitment to increasing student achievement in math and science. With a focus on evidence-based instructional practices and differentiated learning strategies, Mohave will continue to improve academic outcomes, preparing students to succeed in their future endeavors.

“This expansion is about providing our students with the resources, curriculum, and experiences they need to excel,” said Dr. Scott Menzel, SUSD’s Superintendent. “Our goal is to establish Mohave as a premier destination school, where students are empowered to pursue their passions and achieve their full potential.”

Looking Ahead
As Mohave Middle School continues its journey toward becoming a Cognia STEM-certified school, the focus will remain on creating innovative, collaborative spaces for students to engage with real-world problems. With this expansion, Mohave is set to become a beacon of STEM education in the community, attracting students from across Scottsdale and beyond.

For more information about the Scottsdale Math and Science Academy at Mohave Middle School or to enroll your child, visit mohave.susd.org.

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#ChooseSUSD With more than 20,000 students in 30 schools, the Scottsdale Unified School District (SUSD) has been a premier choice for pre-kindergarten through grade 12 public education for 128 years. Located northeast of metropolitan

Phoenix, the District serves the educational needs of students and families in Phoenix, Paradise Valley, Fountain Hills, Tempe and Scottsdale. A highly experienced, professionally certified teaching staff fosters a diverse and rigorous educational environment that engages all students in world-class, future-focused learning. Offering gifted learning, special education, career and technical education, and a variety of athletics, arts and enrichment programs and clubs, SUSD provides the rich environment today’s students need to explore their interests, develop important social skills and grow into tomorrow’s leaders. For more information, visit www.susd.org and follow along on social media: Facebook: @ScottsdaleUSD, Instagram: @ScottsdaleUnifiedSD, LinkedIn and YouTube.

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (March 17, 2025) – 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: “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?

“Our Title I Specialist, Christina Smith, comes up with a different theme every year,” said Pima Principal Christopher Hodo, smiling broadly as families perused the hallway displays and popped into classrooms. “It’s a lot of fun. The kids love it, and the families love it.”

“Our objective is to get everyone together,” 25-year Pima veteran Smith explained. “It’s for parents to read with their kids, play with their kids, have fun with their kids and make connections. Parents get to see what’s going on in our classrooms, so it’s just a big community event!”

Going from classroom to classroom, students undertook scavenger hunts, learning decade-based facts for a chance to win decade-based prizes, such as instant ramen, which, they learned along the way, was introduced in the U.S. by an Asian businessman in the 1970s.

Pima also hosted a Scholastic Book Fair during the March 6th Reading Night, the proceeds from which will help purchase the free books each student will receive at next year’s celebration of reading. Last year’s book fair bought this year’s giveaway books.

Fifth grade teacher Emily Perleberg has fond memories of Reading Night from her days as a Pima Panther. Being on the other side of it now, as a teacher, she appreciates the collaborative efforts that go into the event. “It’s practically like the Olympics. We see one teacher’s super-cute door, so we’re like, ‘Okay, we gotta do it!’ Everyone really gets into it.”

Perleberg said the event provides the opportunity for parents to get to know their students’ teachers better, gain an understanding of what they’re learning, and build on Pima’s great sense of belonging and community. She added, however, that her students’ involvement in the planning of Reading Night is the best part.

“Literally, I had every one of my students talking all week about tonight. They’re involved in creating the activities for the classroom, so they’re proud of that and want to show that off.”

For their part, parents enjoyed roaming the hallways as students dashed in and out of the different ‘eras,’ collecting scavenger hunt factoids.

Sam Pewitt has a kindergartener and second grader at Pima. “We get to meet some of the other teachers and see parts of the campus you don’t normally walk through, watch the kids have fun, see what they’ve learned, see their work,” Pewitt observed. “I’m always surprised with the things they’ve done.”

Pima is celebrating its 65th anniversary this school year. Principal Hodo was pleased with this year’s edition of Reading Night. “It encourages kids to read but it also encourages families to come out and spend time with their kids and see some of the fun things we do here. This is what makes Pima special.”

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#ChooseSUSD With more than 20,000 students in 30 schools, the Scottsdale Unified School District (SUSD) has been a premier choice for pre-kindergarten through grade 12 public education for 128 years. Located northeast of metropolitan Phoenix, the District serves the educational needs of students and families in Phoenix, Paradise Valley, Fountain Hills, Tempe and Scottsdale. A highly experienced, professionally certified teaching staff fosters a diverse and rigorous educational environment that engages all students in world-class, future-focused learning. Offering gifted learning, special education, career and technical education, and a variety of athletics, arts and enrichment programs and clubs, SUSD provides the rich environment today’s students need to explore their interests, develop important social skills and grow into tomorrow’s leaders. For more information, visit www.susd.org and follow along on social media: Facebook: @ScottsdaleUSD, Instagram: @ScottsdaleUnifiedSD, LinkedIn and YouTube.

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (Feb. 21, 2025) – Hohokam, Navajo and Pueblo Elementary schools are the latest Scottsdale Unified School District (SUSD) schools to be named Arizona Educational Foundation (AEF®) A+ Schools of Excellence®. SUSD schools have a long tradition of pursuing the Phoenix-based educational organization’s prestigious A+ certification that annually recognizes the state’s very best public schools. The AEF® announced its 2025 A+ list of 53 schools yesterday.

For Hohokam, located at 8451 E. Oak Street, Scottsdale, in SUSD’s Coronado Learning Community, it is the school’s second A+ award – the first came in 2016. Principal Chuck Rantala, who retires at the end of the school year, said it was important to his staff and him that the school he has led for the past dozen years is recognized as the excelling, special place that it is and will continue to be.

“This is a testament to the collective efforts of a dedicated committee and the unwavering support of the entire Hohokam community,” Rantala explained. “This recognition reflects our shared commitment to fostering academic excellence, innovation, and a nurturing learning environment for every student.”

“It’s going to foster a sense of pride among students, staff, and parents, reinforcing the shared commitment to continuous improvement and excellence,” he added.

A little more than two miles to the north, at 4525 N. Granite Reef Rd., Navajo Elementary is also celebrating its second A+ designation. Principal Matt Patzlaff said that until last year, some things had been in the way of undertaking the intense and rigorous application process.

“We have considered applying for this for the last couple of years but with the August 2018 fire, our resulting re-build and our Cognia STEM accreditation, the timing was not right,” said Patzlaff. “If we were going to do it, we wanted to do it right.”

There is little doubt that Navajo got it right. A school dedicated to a growth mindset and continuous improvement is a winning combination.

“The A+ School of Excellence award helps validate all of the amazing things occurring on our campus and within our community,” Patzlaff clarified. “Everyone involved in the Navajo Learning Community puts kids first every single day, and our application showcased just how exceptional all of our stakeholders truly are and our determination to be even better.”

Another two miles north, at Pueblo Elementary School, located at 6320 N. 82nd St., Principal Shelley Hummon and her staff and students are celebrating their school’s A+ renewal. There was never any doubt that Pueblo would try to renew its A+ certification.

“Our school earned this distinction for the first time in 2020, and our team was super excited and on-board to go for it again,” Hummon shared, involving teachers, staff, and parents volunteering their time last summer to complete the application, which was due in August.

“It is a lot of work, and it takes a full-team effort, but we’ve gotten so much out of it,” continued Hummon. “Back in 2020, during the A+ process, we uncovered some areas of refinement where we could improve our programs. This time around, we were proud to be able to show the results of our having successfully implemented those enhancements.”

SUSD’s highly acclaimed Spanish Dual Language Immersion program begins at Pueblo.

“The work of these schools, with their strong staff and leadership teams and the support they receive from their students’ families and communities, is simply outstanding,” said SUSD’s superintendent, Dr. Scott Menzel. “This is what SUSD is all about, and to see this trio of schools recognized by such a distinguished organization as the Arizona Educational Foundation is such a great credit to their ongoing, consistent commitment to excellence. We couldn’t be more proud.”

AEF® judges toured the three SUSD schools last month and earlier this month. Campus celebrations are pending. Hohokam, Navajo and Pueblo join Cherokee and Desert Canyon Elementary schools as SUSD A+ Schools of Excellence®.

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About the Arizona Educational Foundation The Arizona Educational Foundation (AEF®) was founded in 1983 by then-Arizona State Superintendent of Public Instruction Carolyn Warner, with the support of longtime local business leaders Eddie Basha, President and CEO of the Bashas’ grocery store chain, and Bill Shover of the Arizona Republic. Their goal was to bolster the reputation of public schools, celebrate their excellence and provide programs to support them on their paths to excellence. Other notable AEF® programs include Arizona Teacher of the Year®, the Arizona State Spelling Bee® and the Principals Leadership Academy of Arizona.

About the Scottsdale Unified School District With more than 20,000 students in 30 schools, the Scottsdale Unified School District (SUSD) has been a premier choice for pre-kindergarten through grade 12 public education for 128 years. Located northeast of metropolitan Phoenix, the District serves the educational needs of students and families in Phoenix, Paradise Valley, Fountain Hills, Tempe and Scottsdale. A highly experienced, professionally certified teaching staff fosters a diverse and rigorous educational environment that engages all students in world-class, future-focused learning. Offering gifted learning, special education, career and technical education, and a variety of athletics, arts and enrichment programs and clubs, SUSD provides the rich environment today’s students need to explore their interests, develop important social skills and grow into tomorrow’s leaders. For more information, visit www.susd.org and follow along on social media: Facebook: @ScottsdaleUSD, Instagram: @ScottsdaleUnifiedSD, LinkedIn and YouTube.

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (February 12, 2025) – Red fairy lights, boba tea and student artwork helped transform the courtyards between Desert Canyon Elementary (DCES) and Desert Canyon Middle (DCMS) schools into a Chinese night market on a recent evening, as students of the schools’ Mandarin Dual Language Immersion (DLI) program gathered with their families to celebrate the Chinese New Year.

Outfitted in red, traditional Chinese wear, students delivered outstanding performances, showcasing what they’re learning about Chinese language and culture through the Scottsdale Unified School District program that has families open-enrolling their children from nearby school districts that don’t have such a program, as well as students from the McDowell Mountain Ranch neighborhood.

The DLI program is optional for DCES students and begins at the preschool level. Elementary school students spend part of the day studying language arts, reading, art and music in English and the other part learning math, science, social studies and Mandarin in Mandarin. At the middle school, students can opt to continue their language and science studies in Mandarin.

Brandon Finnie’s in-laws are from Singapore, so he and his wife chose to enroll their children, kindergartener Kai and second grader Kalia, at DCES specifically for the DLI program. “We live about 15 minutes away, in the Paradise Valley School District, but we love it here. After we came and got started, we couldn’t go anywhere else.”

In between performances of Chinese songs and dances, including the traditional lion dance, in the DCMS gym, families, under the direction of both middle and elementary school DLI students, gathered in the cafeteria to create snake lanterns to mark the Year of the Snake and red-papered New Year’s messages of blessing written in Chinese calligraphy.

The annual celebration has become a staple on the Desert Canyon calendar, filling the gym bleachers with family members, anxious to see students put their learning on display.

“Our Chinese New Year festivity is one of our most cherished family events, providing a wonderful opportunity for students and families to immerse themselves in Chinese culture,” said Principal Kim Mills.

“This year’s celebration,” she continued, “was particularly meaningful as we welcomed back our former DLI students, now in sixth and seventh grades at Desert Canyon Middle School, to be part of this joyous celebration.”

One of them was seventh grader Emma Adland, who has been in the Mandarin program since second grade and plans to continue studying it through high school. “It’s just fun to learn about a new culture and I think it’s going to help me on my college resume to get into better schools.” 

Mills is grateful for the community’s support of the Desert Canyon Mandarin program and the work of the school’s parent teacher organization, which began its planning of the event last fall with Mills and both schools’ Mandarin teachers.

“It warms our hearts to see our entire school community come together, with both DLI students and those not enrolled in the program, actively participating in the festivities, nurturing community spirit and fostering cultural understanding,” Mills added. “We take great pride in the evolution of our Mandarin Dual Language Immersion Program, which has been a fundamental aspect of our school for the past eight years.”

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About the Scottsdale Unified School District With more than 20,000 students in 30 schools, the Scottsdale Unified School District (SUSD) has been a premier choice for pre-kindergarten through grade 12 public education for 128 years. Located northeast of metropolitan Phoenix, the District serves the educational needs of students and families in Phoenix, Paradise Valley, Fountain Hills, Tempe and Scottsdale. A highly experienced, professionally certified teaching staff fosters a diverse and rigorous educational environment that engages all students in world-class, future-focused learning. Offering gifted learning, special education, career and technical education, and a variety of athletics, arts and enrichment programs and clubs, SUSD provides the rich environment today’s students need to explore their interests, develop important social skills and grow into tomorrow’s leaders. For more information, visit www.susd.org and follow along on social media: Facebook: @ScottsdaleUSD, Instagram: @ScottsdaleUnifiedSD, LinkedIn and YouTube.

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (February 7, 2025) – Scottsdale Unified School District (SUSD) is proud to offer career opportunities that make a difference to the community. Whether you're ready to lead a classroom, support student success, or ensure smooth business operations, SUSD offers rewarding career paths in both full-time and part-time roles.

SUSD’s Human Resources department is already gearing up for next school year, as well as seeking to fill current vacancies, and looks forward to greeting applicants at its Thursday, Feb. 13 Job Fair at the district’s Mohave District Annex, 8500 E. Jackrabbit Rd., Scottsdale. The fair runs from 3:30 – 6 p.m.

SUSD is hiring for a wide variety of roles, including:

• Teachers: Math, Science, Spanish, Gifted, and others
• Special Education: Teachers, Paraeducators, Instructional Support Staff
• School Security Guards
• Bus Drivers & Mechanics
• Nutrition Services
• Custodians & Grounds Staff
• Childcare Providers
• Social Workers

Job candidates can jump-start the hiring process by completing an interest form found at https://www.susd.org/departments/human-resources/careers.

At the fair, job applicants will be able to meet school principals, department directors and district leaders, and may receive conditional job offers, pending thorough, mandatory background and reference checks.

Positions requiring 30 or more hours of work a week are eligible for flexible employee and family health benefit plans, including medical, dental and vision coverage; wellness and employee assistance programs; Health Savings Accounts (HSAs); prescription benefits; life insurance; and membership in the Arizona State Retirement System.

SUSD also offers optional Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs), supplemental life insurance, identity theft protection, pre-paid legal services, and pet care insurance.

“The work we do at SUSD every day is so meaningful,” said SUSD Human Resources Assistant Superintendent Dr. Heather Cruz. “The significance of being part of the system that prepares more than 20-thousand students for their amazing futures cannot be understated. We love elevating them to excellence!”

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About the Scottsdale Unified School District With more than 20,000 students in 30 schools, the Scottsdale Unified School District (SUSD) has been a premier choice for pre-kindergarten through grade 12 public education for 128 years. Located northeast of metropolitan Phoenix, the District serves the educational needs of students and families in Phoenix, Paradise Valley, Fountain Hills, Tempe and Scottsdale. A highly experienced, professionally certified teaching staff fosters a diverse and rigorous educational environment that engages all students in world-class, future-focused learning. Offering gifted learning, special education, career and technical education, and a variety of athletics, arts and enrichment programs and clubs, SUSD provides the rich environment today’s students need to explore their interests, develop important social skills and grow into tomorrow’s leaders. For more information, visit www.susd.org and follow along on social media: Facebook: @ScottsdaleUSD, Instagram: @ScottsdaleUnifiedSD, LinkedIn and YouTube.

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (Jan. 24, 2025) – Nestled next to Scottsdale Ranch Park in northeast Scottsdale, Laguna Elementary School will swing its doors wide open next week for its annual, community STEAM Night.

Laguna, located at 10475 E. Lakeview Dr., Scottsdale, has special reason to celebrate this year, having just opened its newly redesigned makerspace, where kindergarten through fifth grade students work together to devise creative solutions to real-world problems.

Principal Kristina Kelly says her Eagles are excited to share their learning experiences at the annual event that runs from 5 – 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 30.

“Our students are provided with so many wonderful opportunities to expand their science, technology, engineering, art and math, or STEAM, learning every day,” said Kelly.  “The foundational connections they’re making now to the skills that will be required of them in the future ‒ critical thinking, collaboration, communication ‒ are truly impressive and why we’re so proud to once again welcome our community for STEAM Night.”

Fun, interactive experiments and classroom tours will be offered, and Laguna’s highly experienced teachers will be in their classrooms to greet both current and future Laguna families.  Gifted Specialist Stephanie Shamy was recently named the recipient of a 2025 National Science Foundation Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching.

In addition to being a Cognia-certified STEM school, Laguna is home to Scottsdale Unified School District’s only toddler program for two-year-olds, offered by the school district’s Community Education department, along with preschool and pre-kindergarten classes.

“We’re proud of the contributions Laguna is making to our students’ futures and the creative, cohesive learning community we’ve created for our toddler through fifth grade students,” Kelly concluded.  “At Laguna, our students soar!”

Laguna is part of Scottsdale Unified’s Desert Mountain Learning Community.

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About the Scottsdale Unified School District
With more than 20,000 students in 30 schools, the Scottsdale Unified School District (SUSD) has been a premier choice for pre-kindergarten through grade 12 public education for 128 years. Located northeast of metropolitan Phoenix, the District serves the educational needs of students and families in Phoenix, Paradise Valley, Fountain Hills, Tempe and Scottsdale. A highly experienced, professionally certified teaching staff fosters a diverse and rigorous educational environment that engages all students in world-class, future-focused learning. Offering gifted learning, special education, career and technical education, and a variety of athletics, arts and enrichment programs and clubs, SUSD provides the rich environment today’s students need to explore their interests, develop important social skills and grow into tomorrow’s leaders. For more information, visit www.susd.org and follow along on social media: Facebook: @ScottsdaleUSD, Instagram: @ScottsdaleUnifiedSD, LinkedIn and YouTube.

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (Jan. 20, 2025) – Dismissing a label given to today’s youth as “the leaders of tomorrow,” the youngest black elected official in the nation when he was elected to the South Carolina House of Representatives in 2006 exhorted Valley high school students last week to embrace what civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Junior called “the fierce urgency of now.”

Best-selling author and political commentator Bakari Sellers was in Scottsdale to address Saguaro High School’s 25th annual “MLK Youth Voices” program and the city Community Celebrates Diversity organization’s 31st annual MLK Celebration Dinner.

“I hate when people refer to this group of students as ‘leaders of tomorrow,’” Sellers told the assembled students from nine area high schools. “That is the most perverse statement in our political lexicon because all of you are not the leaders of tomorrow: you’re the leaders of right now.”

Sellers recalled when he was part of Barack Obama’s 2008 presidential campaign and its rally at South Carolina State University, near his hometown, and challenged the students not to wait to stand up for something greater than themselves.

“I began to think in that moment, ‘Here I am, on the precipice of change, playing my role in watching the world change around me,’” he explained. “But I’m only 19 miles away from my house, where I had the audacity to dream with my eyes open. I was only 19 miles away from my home where I had the audacity to want to be more than my zip code.”

Sellers, now an attorney in Columbia, South Carolina, also praised five Saguaro students – Justice Hinds, Kingston Grant, Nayeli Lewis, Carolyn Morehead and Alexandrya Kayyali – for their courage in recounting for the assembled crowd their experiences as Scottsdale students, calling their level of oratory reminiscent of Obama and King.

He also reminded the students of how Benjamin E. Mays, the president of Atlanta’s Morehouse College when King was a student there, defined ‘excellence’: “Whatever you do, strive to do it so well that no man living and no man dead and no man yet to be born could do it any better.”

“That’s why it’s so important for you to understand that your destination is just excellence. That’s all King was asking from you,” concluded Sellers. “And what does that look like? That means that if you want to be a scientist, be George Washington Carver. If you want to be a songstress, be Nina Simone. If you want to be a politician, be Nelson Mandela. If you want to be a doctor, be Dr. David Satcher.”

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About the Scottsdale Unified School District With more than 20,000 students in 30 schools, the Scottsdale Unified School District (SUSD) has been a premier choice for pre-kindergarten through grade 12 public education for 128 years. Located northeast of metropolitan Phoenix, the District serves the educational needs of students and families in Phoenix, Paradise Valley, Fountain Hills, Tempe and Scottsdale. A highly experienced, professionally certified teaching staff fosters a diverse and rigorous educational environment that engages all students in world-class, future-focused learning. Offering gifted learning, special education, career and technical education, and a variety of athletics, arts and enrichment programs and clubs, SUSD provides the rich environment today’s students need to explore their interests, develop important social skills and grow into tomorrow’s leaders. For more information, visit www.susd.org and follow along on social media: Facebook: @ScottsdaleUSD, Instagram: @ScottsdaleUnifiedSD, LinkedIn and YouTube.

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (Jan. 10, 2025) – Dr. Donna Lewis and Mike Sharkey have been elected President and Vice President, respectively, of the Scottsdale Unified School District’s Governing Board for the 2025 calendar year. The Board’s annual reorganization took place Jan. 7 at its first meeting of the new year.

Both Lewis and Sharkey, along with Dr. Matthew Pittinsky, were chosen by voters in the November 2024 election to serve four-year terms on the SUSD Board that run through 2028. Amy Carney and Carine Werner continue in their roles as Board members. Two years remain in their current terms of office.

Serving as school board president is a new role for career-educator Lewis: most recently, she was superintendent of the Creighton Elementary School District in Phoenix and currently teaches courses in Educational Leadership for Northern Arizona University.

“I look forward to this new Board learning how to work together in a really productive way on behalf of our students, teachers and staff,” said Lewis. “Collaborating to achieve the district’s strategic planning goals and discovering innovative practices from which SUSD can benefit will be a wonderful challenge for us.”

Sharkey, Executive Director of Data and Analysis for Arizona State University’s Enterprise Technology department, embraces the tasks ahead. “Like many districts in Arizona, SUSD faces financial and demographic headwinds. A strong Board that both supports and challenges our school leaders will help to make SUSD the best choice for Scottsdale families.”

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About the Scottsdale Unified School District With more than 20,000 students in 30 schools, the Scottsdale Unified School District (SUSD) has been a premier choice for pre-kindergarten through grade 12 public education for 128 years. Located northeast of metropolitan Phoenix, the District serves the educational needs of students and families in Phoenix, Paradise Valley, Fountain Hills, Tempe and Scottsdale. A highly experienced, professionally certified teaching staff fosters a diverse and rigorous educational environment that engages all students in world-class, future-focused learning. Offering gifted learning, special education, career and technical education, and a variety of athletics, arts and enrichment programs and clubs, SUSD provides the rich environment today’s

students need to explore their interests, develop important social skills and grow into tomorrow’s leaders. For more information, visit www.susd.org and follow along on social media: Facebook: @ScottsdaleUSD, Instagram: @ScottsdaleUnifiedSD, LinkedIn and YouTube.

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (Nov. 7, 2024) – Scottsdale Unified School District (SUSD) looks forward to meeting families from near and far at its first-ever Education Expo on November 21 at Coronado High School, located at 7501 E. Virginia Ave., Scottsdale.

From 5 – 8 p.m. that day, all 30 SUSD schools will be on hand in the main gymnasium to answer questions from community families, whether they’re new to Scottsdale, are school ‘shopping’ or previously have had students enrolled with the district.  The event is also geared toward current SUSD families, since Arizona’s open enrollment law makes it easy for their students to attend schools other than the ones to which they are assigned geographically.

At information sessions that will be offered in nearby classrooms, families can also learn about specialized programs that are particular to a school, such as Laguna Elementary’s STEAM program, drone coding at Tonalea Middle School and the new Fire Science Academy that will open next school year at Coronado.

Programs that stretch across SUSD learning communities, such as International Baccalaureate at Anasazi Elementary, Mountainside Middle and Desert Mountain High schools; the AVID college and career readiness program at Tavan Elementary, Echo Canyon K-8, Ingleside Middle and Arcadia High schools; and the Scottsdale Math & Science Academy at Saguaro High School that will expand to Mohave Middle School in 2025-26, will present to families interested in learning about the many aspects of SUSD that make it unique among Arizona school districts.

Representatives from district departments and offices – Career and Technical Education, Special Education, Teaching and Learning, Enrollment, Community Education, Gifted Learning, Athletics, Transportation, Native American Education, Nutrition, and Support Services, for example – will be there, too, to share information.

SUSD is an ‘A’ rated school district by the Arizona State Board of Education.

“We believe in providing families with the tools necessary to make the best educational decisions for their children,” said SUSD’s award-winning superintendent, Dr. Scott Menzel.  “The SUSD Education Expo brings all our schools, programs, and resources together in one place, making it easy for families to learn more about our district, ask questions and feel confident when they choose SUSD.” 

To learn more about the Nov. 21 event, go to SUSD Education Expo.  Explore and register for sessions at https://susdeducationexpo2024.sched.com/. 

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About the Scottsdale Unified School District
With more than 20,000 students in 30 schools, the Scottsdale Unified School District (SUSD) has been a premier choice for pre-kindergarten through grade 12 public education for 128 years. Located northeast of metropolitan Phoenix, the District serves the educational needs of students and families in Phoenix, Paradise Valley, Fountain Hills, Tempe and Scottsdale. A highly experienced, professionally certified teaching staff fosters a diverse and rigorous educational environment that engages all students in world-class, future-focused learning. Offering gifted learning, special education, career and technical education, and a variety of athletics, arts and enrichment programs and clubs, SUSD provides the rich environment today’s students need to explore their interests, develop important social skills and grow into tomorrow’s leaders. For more information, visit www.susd.org and follow along on social media: Facebook: @ScottsdaleUSD, Instagram: @ScottsdaleUnifiedSD, LinkedIn and YouTube.

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (Oct. 31, 2024) – Scottsdale Unified School District (SUSD) is proud to announce that the Arizona School Administrators (ASA) organization has named Superintendent Dr. Scott Menzel Arizona’s 2024-2025 AASA National Superintendent of the Year. This prestigious award recognizes Dr. Menzel’s outstanding leadership and unwavering commitment to educational excellence, student achievement, and community partnership.

ASA is a nonprofit organization formed in 1971 and represents more than 1,500 school administrators across Arizona. The School Superintendents Association, known as AASA, is the organization of school system leaders that serves as the national voice for public education and school district leadership in Washington, D.C.

Since joining SUSD in 2020, Dr. Menzel has been focused on innovation, inclusivity, and academic success. His initiatives have enhanced educational outcomes and create a supportive environment for students and staff.

“Without a doubt, Dr. Menzel works tirelessly to the betterment of our school district and community,” said Governing Board President Dr. Libby Hart-Wells. “This award is yet another testament to his leadership and dedication to quality education for all. On behalf of the Governing Board, we sincerely congratulate Dr. Menzel on this well-earned and well-deserved honor.”

Arizona School Administrators’ Executive Director Dr. Paul Tighe added, “Dr. Menzel is truly deserving of this recognition, as demonstrated by his nomination and selection by a peer review process. We have many great leaders across the state, and we are very proud to have Dr. Menzel represent Arizona as the 2025 Superintendent of the Year.”

As a result of the ASA award, Menzel is now Arizona’s nominee for National Superintendent of the Year honors, which will be awarded by the AASA next spring. That annual award celebrates the talent and vision of those who lead the nation’s public schools.

"I’m deeply honored to be recognized as Superintendent of the Year,” Menzel said. “I truly love what I do, and I do it #BecauseKids!”

“This recognition is a testament to what lies at the core of our district – our shared belief in our students' tremendous potential,” he continued. “Together, we're unlocking that potential so they can go out into the world and make a difference.”

Please join us in congratulating Superintendent Menzel and wishing him well in the national competition.

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About the Scottsdale Unified School District With more than 20,000 students in 30 schools, the Scottsdale Unified School District (SUSD) has been a premier choice for pre-kindergarten through grade 12 public education for 128 years. Located northeast of metropolitan Phoenix, the District serves the educational needs of students and families in Phoenix, Paradise Valley, Fountain Hills, Tempe and Scottsdale. A highly experienced, professionally certified teaching staff fosters a diverse and rigorous educational environment that engages all students in world-class, future-focused learning. Offering gifted learning, special education, career and technical education, and a variety of athletics, arts and enrichment programs and clubs, SUSD provides the rich environment today’s students need to explore their interests, develop important social skills and grow into tomorrow’s leaders. For more information, visit www.susd.org and follow along on social media: Facebook: @ScottsdaleUSD, X: @ScottsdaleUSD, Instagram: @ScottsdaleUnifiedSD, LinkedIn and YouTube.

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (Oct. 31, 2024) – For 65 years, Pima Elementary School, located at 8330 E. Osborn Rd., Scottsdale, has delivered top-notch educational opportunities to the families of its south Scottsdale neighborhood.  Since 1959, Pima has been a staple of the community, welcoming thousands of families and educating generations of their students.

Organizations of such longstanding, of course, develop traditions, and one of them is coming up next week: Pima’s annual Family Math Night.  To kick off its 65^thanniversary celebrations, Pima will open its doors next Thursday, Nov. 7 from 4:30 – 6 p.m. for an evening of fun, learning, and family and community engagement.  Non-Panther families are welcome, too!

At the aptly named Mad Science Mayhem event, you can meet Pima’s outstanding teaching staff, go on campus and classroom tours, engage in family-friendly math games and experience the school’s vibrant learning environment for yourself.  

“Pima prides itself on being committed to each student’s individual journey,” said Principal Christopher Hodo.  “We offer an elevated learning experience for all of our scholars and are dedicated to providing the foundation that will propel them forward to success in middle school, high school, college and beyond.”

Thanks to $19.5 million approved by Scottsdale Unified School District taxpayers in the 2016 bond program, the new Pima campus was built over 15 months, from December 2017 to February 2019, reopening its doors to learning in time for the 2018-19 school year.  Pre-kindergarten through fifth grade Panthers now enjoy modern, collaborative learning environments, state-of-the-art technology, and facilities and grounds that enhance the spaces where they thrive.

To learn more about Pima Elementary School and schedule a tour, go to pima.susd.org.

And join us for the SUSD Education Expo, coming up November 21^st from 5 – 8 p.m. at Coronado High School, 7501 E. Virginia Ave. in Scottsdale!  It’s your one-stop opportunity to explore all 30 SUSD schools and their specialized programs, all under one roof.  Find out more at susd.org/expo.  You can register for the event and sign up for Expo sessions at https://susdeducationexpo2024.sched.com/.

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About the Scottsdale Unified School District
With more than 20,000 students in 30 schools, the Scottsdale Unified School District (SUSD) has been a premier choice for pre-kindergarten through grade 12 public education for 128 years. Located northeast of metropolitan Phoenix, the District serves the educational needs of students and families in Phoenix, Paradise Valley, Fountain Hills, Tempe and Scottsdale. A highly experienced, professionally certified teaching staff fosters a diverse and rigorous educational environment that engages all students in world-class, future-focused learning. Offering gifted learning, special education, career and technical education, and a variety of athletics, arts and enrichment programs and clubs, SUSD provides the rich environment today’s students need to explore their interests, develop important social skills and grow into tomorrow’s leaders. For more information, visit www.susd.org and follow along on social media: Facebook: @ScottsdaleUSD, X: @ScottsdaleUSD, Instagram: @ScottsdaleUnifiedSD, LinkedIn and YouTube.

All SUSD School Sites Earn A or B State Letter Grade for 2023-24 School Year

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (Oct. 28, 2024) – As schools across the country continue to grapple with the long-term impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on student learning, Scottsdale Unified School District (SUSD) is emerging as a leader in that recovery.

Statewide, performance by third through eighth grade students on the 2024 Arizona Academic Standards Assessments (AASA) indicates continuing challenges for many school districts. English Language Arts (ELA) results held steady from 2023, with 40% of students passing; math performance across the state dipped slightly, with 32% of students passing, compared to last year’s 34%.

SUSD significantly outperformed those state averages: 61% of its students passed the ELA measurement and 55% passed the math assessment, making it a top performer in Maricopa County.

This success comes as no surprise to those familiar with SUSD’s early and determined approach to overcoming the disruptions of the pandemic. “Our focus has always been on ensuring our students are provided the tools and support they need to succeed, regardless of circumstances,” said Dr. Scott Menzel, SUSD Superintendent. “Returning to in-person learning as soon as we could was critical, and it’s clear that decision has paid off.”

SUSD was among the first districts in Arizona to return to in-person learning in the 2020-2021 school year, following the initial pandemic lockdown, minimizing the disruption caused by remote education. As a result, district students experienced a quicker academic recovery than their peers across the state. Student attendance is nearing pre-pandemic levels.

And there’s more good news. “Every one of our 29 brick-and-mortar schools earned an A or B state letter grade this year, including, for the third year in a row, all nine of our Title I schools,” Menzel continued. “This reflects the hard work of our students and teachers, as well as our district-wide commitment to accelerate efforts that will further improve outcomes for students so we can reach new heights together.”

SUSD, as a district, also received an A from the Arizona State Board of Education for the second year in a row. The Board began issuing grades for entire school districts again last year, after pausing the practice in 2015.

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About the Scottsdale Unified School District With more than 20,000 students in 30 schools, the Scottsdale Unified School District (SUSD) has been a premier choice for pre-kindergarten through grade 12 public education for 128 years. Located northeast of metropolitan Phoenix, the District serves the educational needs of students and families in Phoenix, Paradise Valley, Fountain Hills, Tempe and Scottsdale. A highly experienced, professionally certified teaching staff fosters a diverse and rigorous educational environment that engages all students in world-class, future-focused learning. Offering gifted learning, special education, career and technical education, and a variety of athletics, arts and enrichment programs and clubs, SUSD provides the rich environment today’s students need to explore their interests, develop important social skills and grow into tomorrow’s leaders. For more information, visit www.susd.org and follow along on social media: Facebook: @ScottsdaleUSD, X: @ScottsdaleUSD, Instagram: @ScottsdaleUnifiedSD, LinkedIn and YouTube

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (Oct. 8, 2024) – Did you know that students who spend more years in Scottsdale Unified School District (SUSD) classrooms perform better than those who do not?  Did you know they also post higher grade point averages and score better on state tests?

Choosing the right educational foundation is a significant decision for parents, and one that sets the course for a lifetime of learning.  That's why SUSD will proudly open the doors of its kindergarten classrooms in the coming weeks and months to invite families to embark on this exciting path with one of Arizona’s premier school districts. 

With an eye toward the 2025-2026 school year, SUSD's Fall 2024 Kindergarten Roundup gatherings kick off next week at our 15 elementary schools and three K‒8 schools.  Sessions will also be held in January and March 2025 for the school year that begins on August 4, 2025.  Find the complete Roundup schedule at www.susd.org/kinder. 

"Choosing the right kindergarten for your child is an important decision,” says Margaret Serna, SUSD’s Executive Director of Elementary Education.  “Our Kindergarten Roundup events are a special opportunity to visit our schools, meet teachers, ask questions, and see how we create the welcoming environment where your child will thrive.” 

Scottsdale Unified is proud to offer free, full-day kindergarten to community families that provides a strong foundation for lifelong learning, with more time for in-depth instruction and hands-on activities.  The SUSD program also features gifted learning, special education services and dual language opportunities for incoming kindergarteners.

At our Roundup events, families meet SUSD’s state-certified kindergarten teachers and school principals.  Essential skills that incoming kindergarteners will have typically mastered before their formal education journey begins will be reviewed. Parent questions about enrollment, lunch options, school-day schedules, and campus and playground safety will also be answered.

From October 17 through November 20, we invite you to explore SUSD’s vibrant kindergarten classrooms, go on campus tours and find out how your littlest learners will grow in SUSD’s friendly, nurturing kindergarten program.

And coming up on November 21 from 5 to 8 p.m., all 30 SUSD schools will be under one roof at Coronado High School, 7501 E. Virginia Ave., Scottsdale, for SUSD’s Education Expo.  The Expo is families’ one-stop opportunity to explore all 30 SUSD schools and their specialized programs in a single location. 

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 About the Scottsdale Unified School District
With more than 20,000 students in 30 schools, the Scottsdale Unified School District (SUSD) has been a premier choice for pre-kindergarten through grade 12 public education for 128 years. Located northeast of metropolitan Phoenix, the District serves the educational needs of students and families in Phoenix, Paradise Valley, Fountain Hills, Tempe and Scottsdale. A highly experienced, professionally certified teaching staff fosters a diverse and rigorous educational environment that engages all students in world-class, future-focused learning. Offering gifted learning, special education, career and technical education, and a variety of athletics, arts and enrichment programs and clubs, SUSD provides the rich environment today’s students need to explore their interests, develop important social skills and grow into tomorrow’s leaders. For more information, visit www.susd.org and follow along on social media: Facebook: @ScottsdaleUSD, X: @ScottsdaleUSD, Instagram: @ScottsdaleUnifiedSD, LinkedIn and YouTube.