Scottsdale Unified School District

History

The Scottsdale Unified School District was founded in 1896 by Major Winfield Scott, also the founder of the city of Scottsdale. The first classes were taught by Aliza Bount, who moved to Arizona from Illinois with her husband George and their three children for health reasons. Classes were held in their adobe home, which was just south of what is now Civic Center Plaza and Second Street. Aliza Bount was paid $40 a month to teach the 8-10 students from the seven families who resided in Scottsdale at that time.

The District's first bond election was held May 1, 1909, with 13 citizens voting "yes" and zero citizens voting "no." The amount of the bond, $5,000, was used to build our first school, now known as the "Little Red Schoolhouse." This building, also known at the time as Coronado School, is an historic site on Scottsdale Mall and now the home of the Scottsdale Historical Society.

Today the District covers 112 square miles. Our boundaries are not coterminous with city of Scottsdale boundaries. We serve most of the town of Paradise Valley, and parts of Tempe and Phoenix, in addition to most of Scottsdale. The District has about 27,000 students, approximately 1,800 certified and 1,000 classified employees. We have 5 comprehensive high schools, 7 middle schools, 20 elementary schools, and 1 alternative school.


Goals

-Improving Student Achievement
-Professional Development And Exceptional Customer Service
-Improving Employee Relations
-Improving The Operations Of The District
-Improving The District's Technology
-Improving Student Safety
-Marketing And Enrollment
-Influencing The State Legislature