Skip To Main Content

Scottsdale Unified Bucks State and National Trend: Surpasses Pre-COVID Test Scores

Scottsdale Unified Bucks State and National Trend: Surpasses Pre-COVID Test Scores

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.

# # #

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