Elementary school boundaries set for next year

Did you just move to Maricopa? Are you planning to move here in the next few months before school begins? Do you wonder which elementary school your child or children will attend?

At last night’s school board meeting, the Boundaries Committee, chaired by
Special Projects Director Bonnie Gibson, presented the grades K-5 boundaries for the 2006-2007 school year. August 2006 projected enrollments for all elementary schools were included in the report.

The committee, which used population figures from the City of Maricopa, anticipates that there will be approximately 350-400 sixth graders enrolled at the middle school next year. An additional 500 students in grades K-5 are expected by January 2007 according to Santa Rosa Principal Rick Abel, who worked with the city on growth projections. “The next school site needs to be south of the tracks,” noted Abel, referring to the large number
of students expected to attend Maricopa Elementary at Alterra.

Asked about possible overcrowding there, Superintendent Alma Farrell explained, “Alterra has the potential to exceed capacity just like the other schools.”

Each elementary school and its total projected enrollment is listed below,
as well as developments within that school’s boundaries and their anticipated enrollments:

Maricopa Elementary School at Alterra – Bonnie Gibson, Principal
Ak-Chin – 150
Alterra – 100
Desert Cedars – 52
Hidden Valley North – 62
Hidden Valley South – 120
Maricopa Meadows – 292
Thunderbird – 237
Total students -1013

Pima Butte Elementary – Janelle Lowey, Principal
Cobblestone Farms – 144
North Rancho El Dorado – 340
Total students – 484

Santa Rosa Elementary School – Rick Abel, Principal
Acacia Crossings – 89
South Rancho El Dorado – 356
City (not in a development) – 153
Total students – 598

Tortosa/ Villages (at the current Maricopa Elementary School site until
construction is complete); Lynnette Michalski, Principal
Glenwilde – 50
Senita – 84
Seven Ranches – 18
Tortosa – 33
Villages – 278
Total students – 463

The total projected enrollment for all Maricopa Unified School District elementary schools is 2,559 by August 2006.