MUSD elementary schools earn perfect report cards

Maricopa Unified School District received glowing Arizona Department of Education report cards for three of its elementary schools, all of which earned A grades.

MUSD and leaders at Butterfield, Maricopa and Pima Butte elementary schools today learned they achieved excellence in the state administration’s eyes.

The state education department is required by state law to develop an annual achievement profile for every public school in the state based on an A through F scale. The report card is subject to final adoption by the state board of education.

“These three schools exemplify a commitment to student growth and instructional excellence,” said MUSD Supt. Tracey Lopeman. “An A grade from the Arizona Department of Education is a label that reflects the dedicated efforts of students and the entire staff. “

The highest grade is part of the state Education’s comprehensive school accountability system. It is designed to provide transparent information about schools and districts. Schools are evaluated based on criteria including standardized test scores, growth measures and other factors indicative of a robust learning environment.

Several MUSD schools earned a B grade, “which indicates promise and reinforcement that strategies and support are working for kids,” Lopeman said. 

“While we celebrate these successes, we’re aware that ongoing improvement is essential across our entire district. We present the following grades of all MUSD schools to both inform and engage our community.”

Schools earning B grades were Maricopa High School, plus Santa Cruz and Santa Rosa elementaries.

Maricopa High maintained a B grade from the previous period.

Santa Rosa earned an A in the previous grading period.

Desert Sunrise High School, MUSD’s newest school, went ungraded because it is not eligible until next year.

School district spokesperson Mishell Terry said letter grades assigned by the state are an important measure of school effectiveness.

“Improving letter grades exemplifies our commitment to academic growth for every student,” Terry said. “Achieving these high marks, reinforces that our efforts are on the right track and advances us toward our larger district goals.”

Janel Hildick, Principal Butterfield Elementary, said the school’s staff was “thrilled” about the achievement.

Hildick said the A grade symbolizes “our school community’s commitment to enhancing educational achievements for our students.”

Jennifer Robinson, principal at Maricopa Elementary, said her staff was also elated.

“MES is very proud of becoming an A school,” she said. “This required dedication, innovation, and a commitment to excellence in education.”

Both Butterfield and Maricopa elementaries rose in their grades from B to A over the previous state grading period.

Elizabeth Allison, principal at Pima Butte Elementary, was unable to comment Monday. Her school maintained its A grade over the previous grading school year.

Saddleback Elementary received a C grade from the state, down from a B in the previous grading period.

Maricopa Middle School earned a C grade, while Desert Wind Middle School fell from a C to a D grade.

Maricopa Virtual Academy, in its first year of eligibility, earned a D grade.

Asked how C and D schools will be expected to raise their scores, school district administratorssaid that would be achieved by improving student achievement. This would be donethrough implementation of research-based instruction and parent engagement strategies.

“This involves focusing on quality on-grade-level instruction, additional tutoring, enhanced professional development for teachers, and strong parental involvement,” Terry said.