With more than 23,000 students across 29 physical campuses and one online high school, the Scottsdale Unified School District (SUSD) has been a premier choice for Pre-K through grade 12 public education for more than 123 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 to develop the potential in every individual learner. SUSD employs 3,000 people including about 1,500 teachers.
SUSD's schools consist of 15 elementary, 4 K-8, 5 middle, and 5 high schools including an online high school. 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.
The district celebrated its 120th anniversary in 2016. Its boundaries include most, but not all, of the city of Scottsdale, almost all of the town of Paradise Valley, a section of the city of Phoenix and a section of the city of Tempe.
To Ensure All Individual Learners Reach Their Full Potential
Responsive, Student-Focused, Humble, Growth-Minded
We Educate
Accountability, Courage, Student Focus
Enhancing a Culture of Learning by May 2019
The Scottsdale Unified School District was founded in 1896 by Major Winfield Scott, also the founder of the city of Scottsdale. The first classes were taught by Aliza Bount, who, for health reasons, moved to Arizona from Illinois with her husband George and their three children. Classes were held in their adobe home, which was just south of what is now Civic Center Plaza and Second Street. Aliza Bount was paid $40 a month to teach the eight to 10 students from the seven families who resided in Scottsdale at that time.
The District's first bond election was held May 1, 1909, with 13 citizens voting "yes" and zero citizens voting "no." The amount of the bond, $5,000, was used to build our first school, now known as the "Little Red Schoolhouse." This building, also known at the time as Coronado School, is a historic site on Scottsdale Mall and now the home of the Scottsdale Historical Society.