Santa Cruz Elementary School has earned an A grade from the Arizona Department of Education, making it the state’s top pick in Maricopa Unified School District.
“Our schools’ letter grades provide a snapshot of our progress, but they never fully capture the daily dedication and hard work taking place in our classrooms,” said MUSD Superintendent Dr. Tracey Lopeman. “We are proud of the achievements reflected in our improved grades at schools like Santa Cruz Elementary, Saddleback Elementary and Maricopa Virtual Academy.
“At the same time, we recognize there’s always room for growth. With the focused efforts of our talented staff and the involvement of our parents, we are confident we will continue to see improvements across all our schools.”
The state education department released the preliminary Arizona school letter grades Friday night for MUSD — one A grade, five B grades, three C grades and two D grades.
“These results highlight the collective efforts of our staff, students and parents, and provide an opportunity to acknowledge our achievements as we focus on continued growth,” Lopeman said. “At Santa Cruz Elementary School, earning an A grade demonstrates the exceptional work of our students and teachers. Saddleback Elementary School’s improvement from a C to a B shows how everyone’s contributions can lead to meaningful progress.”
ADE gave a B to:
- Butterfield Elementary School
- Pima Butte Elementary School
- Saddleback Elementary School (grade under appeal)
- Santa Rosa Elementary School
- Maricopa High School
C grades went to:
- Maricopa Wells Middle School
- Maricopa Virtual Academy
- Desert Sunrise High School (grade under appeal)
Grade D:
- Maricopa Elementary School
- Desert Wind Middle School
Both D-graded schools are under appeal.
“Maricopa Virtual Academy’s rise from a D to a C highlights the success of our virtual learning community and the dedication of both students and teachers to adapting to new ways of learning,” Lopeman said.
Schools such as Santa Rosa Elementary, Maricopa High School and Maricopa Wells Middle School have maintained their grades, reflecting the steady efforts of students, staff and parents, the district said.
The schools’ consistent performance highlights the everyday engagement and perseverance in our classrooms, Lopeman said.
“We acknowledge that Butterfield Elementary, Pima Butte Elementary and Maricopa Elementary have seen changes in their letter grades, and we are committed to supporting these schools as they work to regain their previous levels of excellence,” the superintendent said.
Lopeman said the grades being appealed are “to ensure that the evaluations accurately reflect the efforts and progress within our schools.”
“These results encourage us to reflect on factors influencing them, such as teacher experience and evolving educational standards.” Lopeman said. “Despite these challenges, our classrooms remain vibrant places where dedicated educators and enthusiastic students collaborate daily to improve.”
