Superintendent Menzel's Blog
Dear SUSD Families,
With the 2024-25 school year now completed, I want to take a moment to reflect on the extraordinary journey we’ve taken together since last August.
Guided by this year’s theme, “Elevate Excellence: Reaching New Heights Together,” we were deliberate, aligning our entire district around three Wildly Important Goals (WIGs) to ensure that we were not just moving forward, but moving forward together.
- Mathematics: By May 2025, SUSD students across each cohort (grades 4-8) will demonstrate growth across achievement bands with an increase of 3% as measured by proficiency in AASA mathematics. With collaborative professional development, targeted intervention, and a renewed emphasis on data-informed instruction, we’ve seen early indicators of growth and engagement districtwide.
- Attendance: We committed to increasing our average daily attendance from 92.69% to 93.0%. Through strong outreach and the support of families, schools made real progress in helping students understand that being present matters.
- Enrollment: From May 23, 2024, to the 100th day of the 2024-2025 fiscal year (Jan. 21, 2025), enrollment in grades 1-12 will increase a minimum of 1% (not including early graduates). Thanks to our dedicated staff and school communities, families are choosing SUSD for our strong academics, innovative programs, and inclusive culture.
But numbers only tell part of the story. Our students, staff, and schools achieved greatness in academics, arts, and athletics, reinforcing what makes SUSD special.
Celebrating Our Schools
This year, three of our elementary schools, Navajo, Hohokam and Pueblo, earned the Arizona Educational Foundation’s A+ School of Excellence distinction. We also celebrated new Scottsdale Blue Zones Project school certifications for Anasazi, Pima, and Sequoya Elementary schools, as well as Cocopah Middle School, a testament to our commitment to student well-being and healthy habits. Echo Canyon School earned the 2025 Scottsdale Sustainability Award for its outstanding composting and food waste-reduction program, showing how even our youngest learners can lead the way.
Arts, Innovation, and Academics in Action
From the Coronado High School Marching Band claiming the ABODA Division IV State Championship to Saguaro High School’s robotics team competing on the global stage at the FIRST World Championships in Houston, our students have soared again this school year. Yavapai Elementary created a monarch butterfly waystation, with support from the Sprouts Foundation, an inspiring reminder of how STEM and environmental stewardship go hand in hand.
Champions in the Classroom and on the Field
We saw remarkable success in athletics this year, including these accomplishments:
- Chaparral High School Girls soccer captured the 5A state title
- Desert Mountain Boys Swim & Dive took the Div. I State Championship
- Desert Mountain Softball captured its third consecutive 5A State Championship
- Chaparral’s Cheer and Pom teams landed AIA Div. II state titles
- Desert Mountain’s Div. I Girls Tennis team added more trophies to its case
Community Recognition
SUSD was honored with the Scottsdale Area Chamber of Commerce’s 2024 Sterling Award for Big Business, underscoring our impact and leadership in the broader community.
As we look ahead to summer and begin preparing for 2025-26, we remain rooted in our mission and inspired by our students. We are a district that values Excellence, Integrity, Empathy, Trust, Inclusion, and Unity, believing strongly in the potential of every learner. \
Thank you to our teachers, support staff, principals, parents, and community partners for another exceptional year. Together, we’ve reached new heights and we’re just getting started, Because Kids!
We look forward to seeing your students again on August 4th, the first day of the 2025-2026 school year. Until then, have a great summer!
Scott
Dear SUSD Families,
As we welcome May, there’s a shared sense of momentum across our campuses. State testing has wrapped up and our high school students now shift their focus to AP and IB exams and finals.
Our theme this year has been Elevate Excellence: Reaching New Heights Together, and it has been fun to see our stakeholders lean into that.
One of the most rewarding parts of this season is the chance to celebrate the many awards, performances, and recognitions that highlight our students' excellence in academics, arts, athletics, and service. From National Merit and other scholarship programs to robotics competitions, art shows to orchestra concerts, the pursuit of state championship athletic titles to community impact, there is so much to be proud of in SUSD.
These moments and accolades reflect the hard work of our students, the dedication of our teachers and staff, and the unwavering support of our community. Thank you, all.
Congratulations to the recipients of the 2025 Scottsdale Charros Outstanding Teachers and Students awards, and to Dr. Milissa Sackos, Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Education, the recipient of the second annual Charros’ Dr. John Kriekard Lifetime Achievement Award. Their combined dedication to our students’ learning and unwavering commitment to excellence exemplify the very best of SUSD.
We also want to thank the Charros and the Coronado Foundation for the Future for their support of the Coronado Promise community college scholarship program. Congratulations to this year’s 34 recipients!
May also brings opportunities to recognize and thank the incredible individuals who make SUSD a special place to learn and grow:
- National School Principals Day (May 1)
- National Physical Education and Sport Week (May 1–7)
- School Lunch Hero Day (May 2)
- National Music Week (May 4-11)
- National Teacher Appreciation Week (May 5-9)
- National School Nurse Day (May 7)
- Asian Pacific American Heritage Month
- SUSD Last Day of School (Early Release, all grades); high school graduation ceremonies (May 22)
- Memorial Day (May 26)
We are grateful for the professionals who inspire our students every day in the classroom, onstage, in the gym, and beyond.
We also look forward to our annual SHIO celebration, Scottsdale Honors Its Own, a special event at which we honor our retirees and recognize staff who have reached significant milestones of service, from 5 ,10, 15, and even 20+ years of service. It’s a powerful reminder of the dedication that fuels our schools.
As we look ahead to graduation, I want to extend my heartfelt congratulations to the Class of 2025. You inspire us with your passion, perseverance, and promise. I look forward to the bright futures you will create.
Just three more short weeks before we close the door on another school year ‒ wow! Thank you all for making this a year to remember.
Scott
Spring is here, and with it comes the final stretch of the school year! As we enter these last few weeks, I want to encourage our students, staff, and families to stay engaged and finish strong.
April also marks the start of state testing, including AASA, AzSCI, ACT, and more. This is another opportunity for our students to #ElevateExcellence, and I encourage them to come prepared, rested, and ready do their best.
Beyond the classroom, the coming weeks are filled with many exciting events, such as art showcases, spring concerts, sports playoffs, and celebrations of learning. I hope you take the time to enjoy and appreciate all that our students have accomplished this school year and all that our incredible teachers have taught them.
April is also a month of recognition. Please join me in celebrating the many dedicated professionals and volunteers who support our schools each day:
- Paraprofessionals Appreciation Day – April 2
- National Assistant Principals Week – April 1-5
- National Library Week – April 7-13
- National Occupational Therapy Month & School Library Month (all month long)
- National Volunteer Week – April 20-26 & Public School Volunteer Week – April 21-25
- Administrative Professionals Day – April 23
- National Student Leadership Week – April 24-30
Lastly, don’t forget to sign up for summer camp (ages 3-13) or summer school (high school only) to keep the learning going!
Thank you for being part of our SUSD family. Let’s make these final weeks of the school year count!
Scott
Dear SUSD Families,
As you know, one of our Wildly Important Goals (WIGs) this year is Math:
By May 2025, SUSD students across each cohort (grades 4-8) will demonstrate growth across achievement bands with an increase of 3% as measured by proficiency in AASA mathematics.
As we step into March, we find ourselves just one month away from state assessments. Our students and teachers are working diligently to ensure readiness for the AASA, and we want to remind families that there are many ways to support success. We encourage students and parents to connect with teachers to learn about additional resources, test prep opportunities, and review sessions designed to strengthen understanding and build confidence. Our goal is not just to prepare students for testing but to equip them with the math skills they need to finish the year strong and carry forward into future learning. You can find resources in the Academics section of the SUSD Source.
Math is everywhere ‒ woven into daily life in ways both big and small. Whether measuring ingredients in a recipe, calculating a tip at a restaurant, checking prices at the grocery store to find the greatest value or analyzing sports stats, we use math constantly. We invite families to engage in conversations that help students see how math extends beyond the classroom and into the real world.
Spring Break arrives at the perfect time, offering a well-deserved break before the final stretch of the school year. We encourage everyone to take this opportunity to recharge, so students return refreshed and ready to take on the challenges ahead.
March is also a time for celebration and recognition of people and programs in our schools supporting student success.
- National School Social Work Week
- Music in Our Schools Month
- National Nutrition Month & National School Breakfast Week
- Women’s History Month
- Read Across America Week & National Foreign Language Week
Finally, we’re excited to share an update on our Blue Zones initiative! Pima Elementary and Cocopah Middle schools have officially joined the ranks of SUSD Blue Zone Schools, and seven more schools are pursuing their certification.
Thank you for your continued support. Together, we are elevating excellence in academic achievement and overall student success.
As we enter the second month of the calendar year, we continue to focus our efforts on elevating excellence in order to prepare our students to demonstrate academic success when they take the state and national assessments later this spring. More specifically, we continue to bring attention to the wildly important goals (WIGS) approved by the Governing Board that are related to achievement in math, improving attendance rates, and growing our enrollment.
Scottsdale Unified School District serves a diverse student population. The more than 20,000 students who are part of our school system come from all walks of life. They do not leave their religious, racial, ethnic, gender, or any other aspect of their identity at the schoolhouse door. We see the diversity of our district and community as a strength to be celebrated, not something to be disregarded or ignored. We are committed to welcoming all with kindness, love, compassion, and joy. We have a core value of inclusion: each student deserves to feel a sense of belonging and to be respected for who they are on their journey toward academic success in SUSD. We know that not all students come to us with the same level of supports or advantages, but each one deserves the opportunity to achieve their full potential. Ensuring that those opportunities exist in all of our schools and are available to all students reflects our commitment to equality of opportunity.
In an environment where certain words have been weaponized and organizations targeted, I think it is important to clearly articulate the values espoused by our district: Excellence, Integrity, Empathy, Trust, Inclusion, and Unity. We strive to live into these values each and every day. These are our values, and this is our work. Together, as one team and in partnership with parents and the larger community, we will #ElevateExcellence in SUSD. I hope you will join us in standing for our students and their success.
Scott