Dear SUSD families and community,

The countdown is officially on!

On Monday, Aug. 10, we will open our doors to welcome our students back for a historic milestone: Scottsdale Unified School District’s 130th school year!

Our theme for this year is “A Legacy of Learning.” We are incredibly proud to celebrate our journey from a single schoolhouse in 1896 to a powerhouse district of 27 world-class schools today. While we honor our deep roots, this milestone year is all about leveraging our history to launch bold, next-generation opportunities for our students.

Here is a look at the future-focused initiatives, summer achievements, and academic benchmarks guiding us into the new school year:

 Future-focused initiatives and goals

  • Math Powers Possibility (2030 Goal): We are breaking the mold on math achievement. SUSD is on a mission to increase the percent of 8th graders successfully completing Algebra I or higher from 25% to 75% by May 2030. Algebra is the ultimate launchpad to advanced high school STEM pathways and lifelong problem-solving skills.
  • Student AI Ambassadors: SUSD continues to pioneer digital innovation. Our students aren’t just using technology, they’re helping shape it. SUSD student ambassadors will work side-by-side with district leadership to co-create official guidelines for utilizing Artificial Intelligence in a smart, responsible, and highly effective way.
  • Boys & Girls Club of Greater Scottsdale at Tonalea Middle School. The new state of the art facility opens Aug. 10 on the Tonalea Middle School campus, providing after-school support to students and families in south Scottsdale. Key features of the facility will include:
    • Hot meals every evening to ensure students have access to nutritious food.
    • A maker space where kids can explore creativity and innovation.
    • Art and education rooms that foster learning and personal growth.
    • A media room, complete with podcasting equipment.
    • A performing arts center to encourage expression through dance, music, and theater.
  • Capital & Facility Modernization (The 2026 Bond): Following a unanimous 5-0 vote by the Governing Board, SUSD approved a $375 million special bond election on the Nov. 3, 2026, ballot.

You can learn more at susd.org/bond.

    Our goal is to secure long-term capital funding to modernize aging facilities, enhance school safety, upgrade classroom technology, and replace aging school buses.

      By law, these funds apply strictly to capital infrastructure projects and cannot be used for daily operational costs or salaries.

Summer of growth & achievement

Our commitment to fueling student potential doesn’t stop when the school year ends. This summer, SUSD kept its momentum going strong:

  • Academic Acceleration: We provided comprehensive summer school opportunities to keep our students engaged, inspired, and on track.
  • Staff Excellence: SUSD educators participated in robust professional development sessions to expand their classroom skills for the year ahead.
  • 135,000 Summer Meals Served: Our Nutrition Services Team put on a masterclass in community support! Nutrition Services Director Patti Bilbrey was officially named a Summer Hunger Hero after her team stepped up to serve a staggering 135,000 nutritious meals to local youth during the break.

Important dates

First day of school: Aug. 10. 2026

Voter registration deadline: Oct. 5.

Special Bond Election Day: Nov. 3.

From 1896 to 2026, SUSD continues to prove that tradition, community care, and bold innovation go hand in hand.

Thank you for partnering with us as we celebrate 130 years of excellence. Let’s make this our best year yet.

Together, our focus is their future.

Dr. Scott Menzel is the superintendent of Scottsdale Unified School District.