Skip To Main Content

School Repurposing & Enrollment Review

Introduction / Overview

A Message from the Superintendent

Conversations about the future of our schools are never easy. I know how deeply students, families, and staff care about their schools, and I want to acknowledge the emotions that come with these discussions.

Scottsdale Unified School District, like many districts across the valley, continues to face challenges from rising costs, declining enrollment, increased competition and increased cost of living in Scottsdale. These realities make it increasingly difficult to sustain all of our schools in their current form while continuing to provide the world-class, future-focused education our community expects and deserves.

As we work through this process, it is important to remember that while district leadership may bring forward recommendations, the Governing Board makes the final decisions. We are committed to keeping you informed, listening to your input, and ensuring transparency every step of the way.

Dr. Scott A. Menzel
Superintendent

If you have any questions or concerns, click here to reach out via Let’s Talk 

 

Public Hearings / Board Meetings

Click here for the Official Governing Board page, including schedules and agendas

Resources

How We Got Here

History of Enrollment Trends
Previous Study Sessions
Budget Realities
  • Budget overview, projected shortfall and potential savings (coming soon)
  • Cost to operate small schools under 300 students (coming soon) 
  • Site-by site enrollment data (coming soon)
  • Facility utilization reports (coming soon)

Phase I: Actions Complete

Schools Impacted (Enrollment under 300)
  • DCES & DCMS potential K–8 structure—operational efficiency
  • Echo Canyon (K–8, enrollment 257): Enrollment-driven consideration
  • Pima Elementary (K–5, enrollment 296): Enrollment-driven consideration
Recommendation: Repurpose facilities beginning in the 2026–27 school year.
Proposed Timeline for Phase I
  • October 7, 2025: Governing Board considers setting public hearing date(s)
  • November 13, 2025, 6 p.m. — Coronado High School (7501 E. Virginia Ave.): Public hearing
  • December 9, 2025, 6 p.m. — Coronado High School (7501 E. Virginia Ave.): District intends to schedule a vote at this Governing Board meeting
Implications
  • Potential boundary changes (Pima Elementary)
  • Impact on staff, students, and neighboring schools
School Closures

  • Echo Canyon K-8

  • Pima Elementary School

Facility Consolidations

  • Main Street sold and staff consolidated to Mohave District Annex

  • Oak Campus rented and Community Education consolidated into to Coronado High School

  • Tavan Annex staff relocated to Pima Campus freeing up Tavan Annex for future use

School Repurposing
  • Pima Elementary School has been repurposed into Pima School and Pima District Annex 
  • Pima School will now serve as the SUSD Level D special education program serving students and families previously attending a variety of Level D programs housed at tuition-based private schools.
  • Pima Annex will now serve as the Special Education Hub for SUSD with pre-school screenings, department staff and special service provider itinerant staff home-base and resource facility for assistive technology, occupational and physical therapy equipment. 
  • Oak Catering, Nutrition services, sheet music library and instrument repair will relocate to Pima during the 26-27 school year to complete the consolidation efforts. 

Phase II: Next Steps

Goals
  • Optimize facility use
  • Ensure financial viability
  • Maintain academic excellence

  • The Phase II Design Advisory team was convened in March of 2026 and continues to work collaboratively to develop options for a path forward for schools in the Desert Mountain Learning Community, including Copper Ridge School. These options and analysis will be provided to the Governing Board in the fall of 2026. 

  • To read more about the work of the Phase II Design Advisory team, visit the committee hub website. 

A Phase II Design Team is has been developed to design and develop recommendations for a path forward for schools in the Desert Mountain Learning Community, including Copper Ridge School.  The below schools will be a part of the Phase II design team conversations. 

  • Anasazi
  • Copper Ridge
  • Cheyenne
  • Laguna
  • Redfield
  • Desert Canyon Elementary
  • Desert Canyon Middle

People interested in applying should visit the SUSD Committee Hub at the Phase II Design Team Page.

Phase III Information and Updates

During the 26-27 school year each learning community will engage in the development of strategic growth and marketing plans.  The first community being focused on in Phase III is the Coronado Learning Community.  To learn more visit the Coronado Learning Community Design Team website. 

 

Community Engagement

  • Let’s Talk
  • Upcoming Governing Board hearings (coming soon)
  • Commitment to transparency and open communication

Timeline At-A-Glance

  • Spring 2024: WIG presentation (enrollment, facilities)
  • August 2024: Study session (academic + enrollment data)
  • October 7, 2025: Governing Board to set public hearing date(s)
  • Late October/Early November 2025: Public hearing(s)
  • November/December 2025: Governing Board decision
  • 2026–27 school year: Implementation of Phase I repurposing decisions
  • Beyond 2026: Phase II conversations and actions

Community Input

Pima Reboundary - Community Input Links