Scottsdale Unified School District’s 2023-2024 school year has been marked by significant progress and achievements as we continue to implement initiatives aligned with our Strategic Plan to improve academic achievement and outcomes and prepare students for real-world opportunities in an ever-evolving landscape.
ACADEMICS
• SUSD’s Class of 2024 has earned National Merit, U.S. Presidential, Flinn, Dorrance, Phoenix Suns/Phoenix Mercury/Helios Foundations, Coca Cola, FIRST Robotics and QuestBridge scholarships.
•Math and science diplomas: 51
•International Baccalaureate Programme Diplomas: 39
•This year’s graduating seniors have also earned over 300 Arizona Department of Education Seals in Biliteracy, Arts Proficiency, and Finance.
•39 Coronado High School graduates were named Coronado Promise Scholars, providing them with the financial means for two years of community college or trade school study.
•The ranks of Scottsdale Unified’s National Board-Certified teachers increased to 69.
•Desert Canyon Elementary School was named an Arizona Educational Foundation A+ School of Excellence.
•Coronado High School’s Jobs for Arizona (JAG) program was named the 2024 Arizona JAG Club of the Year.
•Saguaro High School’s Robotics team competed in the FIRST Robotics World Championships in Houston.
•Echo Canyon School’s Robotics team won the Breakthrough Award at the 2024 First LEGO League State Championships at ASU in January.
ARTS
•We had some big winners at national competitions this spring: Gold ratings for Desert Mountain Choir, Ingleside Choir and Mohave Orchestra on their California trips. Rhe Saguaro Orchestra cleaned house in Boston – 1st and 2nd place, Overall Best Ensemble and the Esprit De Cour for ensemble.
•Arcadia High School’s Marching Titans are once again state champions in both the AzMBA and ABODA circuits.
•23 All-State Musicians
ATHLETICS
•Chaparral High School Cheer team, state Spiritline Game Day championship
•Desert Mountain High School softball team – successful defense of state 5A title
•DMHS Girls Cross Country, Division II state championship
•DMHS Girls Swim and Dive, 4th consecutive Division II state championship
•Saguaro High School baseball, 4A state champions
•Saguaro HS football, 6A state championship, 14th state title.
DISTRICT ACHIEVEMENTS
•All Title I schools maintained letter grades of A or B for the past two years, a historic achievement for SUSD.
•An Economic Impact Study completed by ASU and Rounds Consulting highlighted a 5:1 Return on Investment related to an SUSD education, with significant contributions to wages earned and state/local taxes paid.
•The Auditor General’s annual report of district spending showed SUSD’s prioritized investments in classroom spending and a decrease in administrative expenditures.
•A recent survey ranked SUSD as the #10 most envied school district in the nation.
•Echo Canyon School was named a Title I Distinguished School for Academic Growth. It also became the Scottsdale Blue Zones Project’s first Approved School in recognition of its commitment to foster a culture of well-being and healthy choices among students, their families, and staff.
•Hohokam Elementary School Principal Chuck Rantala was recognized as a 2024 Maricopa County Exemplary Principal.
•Pueblo Elementary School Principal Shelley Hummon was named the School Social Work Association 2024 Arizona Educator of the Year.
•Navajo Elementary School Principal Matt Patzlaff received the city’s 2023 Spirit of Scottsdale Award.
NEW PROGRAMS/INITIATIVES
• Coronado Early College: In collaboration with Scottsdale Community College (SCC), SUSD launched the Coronado Early College Campus, offering concurrent enrollment courses to high school students, in addition to dual enrollment, providing them with a head start on their college education.
•SUSD expanded opportunities for high school students to engage in work-based learning experiences and internships.
•SUSD established an AI workgroup to explore the integration of artificial intelligence into education and developed guidelines for its ethical and responsible use by staff and students.
•The SCORE program was relocated from Arcadia High School to SCC, providing students the opportunity to take college classes on a college campus and be gainfully employed.
•SUSD initiated a campaign to emphasize the importance of regular school attendance for student success.
•In partnership with Northern Arizona University (NAU), SUSD implemented a teacher residency program to support the development of new educators.
•Spotlight Podcast: SUSD launched the Spotlight podcast to highlight achievements, initiatives, and stories from around the district.
•ParentSquare: To enhance communication with parents, SUSD implemented ParentSquare, a platform to streamline school-home communication and engagement.
•“Away for the Day” Initiative: SUSD introduced the “Away for the Day” initiative to regulate cell phone usage in K-8 schools, promoting focused learning environments.
•Enhanced Security/School Safety Focus: Measures included deploying Stopfinder for students who ride district transportation, issuing new two-way radios with greater service range, increasing security staff and making positions year-round, and assigning additional School Security Officers to elementary school campuses.
As Scottsdale Unified School District reflects on the achievements of the past year, it remains dedicated to continuing to foster a culture of innovation, excellence, and student success.
Please join us on our journey.
For more information: susd.org.
