Scottsdale Unified School District sites all earn As & Bs for school year
Staff Reports | Community Updates
Numbers show the Scottsdale Unified School District is emerging as a leader in the academic recovery following the ill-effects of precautions taken during the COVID-19 pandemic where schools across the nation were forced to closed.
Across Arizona, performance by third- through eighth-grade students on the 2024 Arizona Academic Standards Assessments indicates continuing challenges for many school districts, Scottsdale Schools officials tell the Digital Free Press.
English Language Arts 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 percent, numbers show.
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, SUSD officials say.
Superintendent Dr. Scott Menzel says this success comes as no surprise to him.
“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 2020-21 school year.
“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,” Dr. 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.”
Also, Scottsdale Schools received an A from the Arizona State Board of Education for the second year in a row.
