Schools proposed outside city limits

Proposed new schools in Hidden Valley would be the first in the district outside city limits.

Site maps show land is allocated for new elementary and middle schools for the Amarillo Creek subdivision. Maricopa Unified School District officials say the possibility of the district’s first school outside city limits is only in early discussions. 

Proposals from developer Ashton Woods plan for new schools for the 175 acres where 600 homes are designated. The site is south of the Ak-Chin Community bounded to the south of Peters and Nall Road, north of Papago Road, west of Green Road and east of Amarillo Valley Road.

A sales representative for Ashton Woods said construction is underway in the new subdivision. 

Charles Yi said Amarillo Creek has 80 homes under construction now with 25 sold since May. 

“Completion here is going to depend on how it’s sold,” Yi said.

He said he didn’t know yet whether a new school would be built to serve students living in the subdivision. 

The subdivision is projected to house about 1,560 residents, officials said.

School district spokesperson Mishell Terry said the MUSD board is in early discussions about future schools, including Amarillo Creek.

The district based in Maricopa serves several communities outside city limits already, including Hidden Valley and Ak-Chin Village.

Terry issued the following statement from the district: 

“In collaboration with a demographer, the superintendent and governing board are closely monitoring growth and enrollment across Maricopa Unified School District. Our newest school, Desert Sunrise High School, opened in July 2022.  Districtwide enrollment is approximately 9,200 students and we are projected to grow to approximately 12,300 by the 2028-2029 school year. Although we recognize that additional schools will be necessary to accommodate this growth, specific plans are not in place at this time.  We will continue to use enrollment data to actively inform our long-term planning.”