Royal Palm Middle School student Bennett C. (center) was recognized at a WESD governing board meeting for receiving perfect scores on two portions of the AASA (submitted photo).
Glendale Union High School District
Students return to campus
Glendale Union High School District (GUHSD) welcomed students back to campuses on Monday, Aug. 4, marking the official start of the 2025-26 school year.
With excitement in the air, campuses across the district came alive as students, staff and families embraced a new school year filled with possibilities and a focus on student potential.
GUHSD offered a special shoutout to the Class of 2029 on completing their first week of high school.
Learn more at www.guhsdaz.org.
Open house scheduled for Sunnyslope
Sunnyslope High School will welcome families to its campus during an open house event scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 4, at 5:30 p.m.
This event provides an opportunity for parents and guardians to meet teachers, explore classrooms and learn more about the programs offered this school year. Open house events are geared toward strengthening the parent-school connection in order to support student success from day one.
Learn more about Sunnyslope, located at 35 W. Dunlap Ave., by calling 623-915-8760 or visiting https://sunnyslope.guhsdaz.org.
Coffee purveyor supports WHS
Washington High School (WHS) expressed its gratitude for the generous coffee donation from the local Starbucks, located at 19th Avenue and Glendale, during Orientation Week.
The school said, “Community partnerships like this play a meaningful role in uplifting staff and strengthening school–community connections. Washington High School appreciates Starbucks’ continued commitment to supporting education in its neighborhood.”
Learn more about WHS, located at 2217 W. Glendale Ave., by calling 623-915-8400 or visiting https://washington.guhsdaz.org.
Governor Katie Hobbs joined Madison Superintendent Kimberly Guerin and staff at Madison Park Middle School on Aug. 6 to highlight the availability of free or reduced-price meals for students during the 2025-26 school year (photo courtesy of Madison School District).
Madison School District
Governor visits Madison Park
In early August, Madison Park Middle School welcomed Governor Hobbs and representatives from the Arizona Food Bank Network
The governor’s visit highlighted the important funding that was recently approved by the state, which makes school meals free this year for families who qualify for reduced-price meals.
The district encouraged Madison families to check their eligibility by filling out a free or reduced-price meal application by visiting its website: www.madisonaz.org/families/food-nutrition-services.
Madison seeks people to join district team
The Madison Elementary School District is currently looking for individuals to join their team for the 2025-26 school year.
Open positions range from teachers and guest teachers, food service workers, bus drivers, before and after school staff and more.
“Being a part of the Madison School District is like having a home away from home. It is a pleasure to come into work every day,” said Gabriela, a Madison bus driver.
To learn more about available positions and employee benefits, visit www.madisonaz.org/jobs.
Governing board meets in September
The Madison Governing Board is a five-member body of citizens elected by the voters of the school district and charged with ensuring the district meets the best interests of the students and the school system. Members serve a four-year term and serve without pay.
The body serves as the school district’s policy maker in accordance with state and federal law. In addition, board members adopt the budget, approve personnel, curriculum and other district business matters. The board hires the superintendent of schools and oversees the superintendent’s duties and performance.
Governing board meetings are conducted on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month, Sept. 9 and 23 this month. Meetings are held in the board room, 5601 N. 16th St., and scheduled school locations at 6 p.m. The locations and agendas for each meeting are posted online and at the district office within 24 hours of the board meetings.
Governing Board meeting dates, agendas and minutes and meeting broadcasts are available online at www.madisonaz.org/governingboard.
Osborn School District
Osborn receives national recognition
Osborn School District said that it is “beyond proud” to announce that every school in the district has been recognized with America’s Healthiest Schools awards, earning a collective total of 26 nationally recognized honors.
These awards highlight Osborn’s holistic approach to wellness, and reflect its core values of integrity, equity, joy, growth and relationships, the district said. These recognitions include many components including hands-on culinary nutrition lessons, comprehensive sexual education, health equity practices in school health offices, family engagement through PTOs and community events, dedicated staff wellness spaces and more.
While nutritious and delicious meals are an important part of being awarded one of America’s Healthiest Schools, Osborn’s commitment extends beyond the cafeteria to include family engagement, staff wellbeing, health education and supportive services that promote the overall health of students, staff and families.
“This recognition places Osborn among a select group of districts nationwide that believe in whole-child, whole-community wellness across every campus,” leadership said. “Osborn is proud to be recognized for its commitment to the families and students that make up the Osborn community.”
Ulises Aragon, pictured fourth from right at an Aug. 7 governing board meeting, was awarded Administrator of the Year for the entirety of the Phoenix Union High School District at a recent ceremony (submitted photo).
Phoenix Union High School District
PXU schools receive top awards
At the recent Phoenix Union High School District (PXU) Opening of Schools Convocation, schools within the North Central area received top awards within the district.
First, Camelback High School received the Large School Culture and Climate Award, a recognition given to a school that exemplifies a welcoming environment that also prioritizes student success. Phoenix Coding Academy also won big, receiving the Small School Academic Achievement Award for the high academic success among its students. Lastly, Bioscience High School principal Ulises Aragon was awarded Administrator of the Year for the entirety of the district.
“We are so proud of the success of our schools and are excited for new achievements this school year,” the district said.
For more information and to enroll, visit www.pxu.org/enroll.
District thanks employees at annual event
The annual PXU Employee of the Year breakfast, where all of the Employees of the Year from across the district came together to eat breakfast and talk about their experiences at PXU, was held on Aug. 15.
In a social media post congratulating the employees, the district also thanked Central High School’s Culinary Arts program for providing food and service.
Washington Elementary School District
Student earns perfect scores
The Washington Elementary School District (WESD) congratulated Bennett C. at Royal Palm Middle School on receiving perfect scores on the English Language Arts and Math portions of the 2025 Arizona’s Academic Standards Assessment (AASA). He was recognized at a recent governing board meeting and received a special canvas in honor of his incredible achievement.
The district said, “The WESD Family is very proud of Bennett and appreciates the community that supports him!”
Bond dollars fund campus improvement
During summer break, new campus improvement projects were completed at a couple of WESD schools within the North Central Phoenix corridor.
Maryland School received new HVAC systems and LED lights in classrooms, as well as new translucent windows, while Royal Palm Middle School received new flooring site wide.
“The WESD is grateful for our community who made these campus improvement projects possible through bond dollars,” the district said in a released statement. “Thank you for your ongoing support in helping us build safer and improved learning environments for our students and staff!”
WESD is enrolling students for 2025-26
Whether it’s free, full-day kindergarten, premiere special education and gifted services, art, music, PE, STEM or online learning, WESD says that it has a program to meet the individual needs of your child.
With multiple A+ Schools of Excellence, WESD is also a top 10 elementary school district as featured in the 2025 edition of Ranking Arizona, published by AZ Big Media. Additionally, Orangewood School and Royal Palm Middle School, both within the North Central Phoenix corridor, are currently rated as an “A” by the Arizona Department of Education.
The district is enrolling kindergarten through eighth grade students for the 2025-26 school year. To start the enrollment process, stop by the WESD Welcome and Registration Center, located at 3200 W. Cholla St., or enroll online at www.wesdschools.org/registration.
District seeks passionate individuals
WESD is looking for passionate individuals to work with them, and they have a variety of job openings for both certified and classified staff.
The district says that it offers competitive teacher salaries of $53,000-$84,950 with performance pay, student loan forgiveness, school-age child care discounts, medical, dental and vision benefits, and employer-matched contributions to Arizona State Retirement. WESD also provides support for teachers including weekly Professional Learning Communities (PLC), regular professional development and instructional coaches and social workers on each campus.
To view current job vacancies and apply online, visit https://jobs.wesdschools.org. For questions, call 602-347-2622.
