Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - 05/08/2026

DYSART SCHOOLS - With improving student attendance as a top priority, Dysart Unified School District conducted a districtwide “Attendance Matters” campaign the past three years. The campaign incorporates friendly competition among schools through an attendance contest, as well as regular messaging about the importance of school attendance.  The 2025-2026 campaign culminated with Asante Preparatory Academy’s contest win, and a celebratory Barbeque lunch on April 24 followed by frozen treats donated by Toyota of Surprise, along with other donated giveaways to reward the students for their hard work. Special thanks goes to Germain Honda of Surprise, Toyota of Surprise, Peter Piper Pizza, Nothing Bundt Cakes, Uptown Alley, and Elevate Trampoline Park for supporting this year’s contest. 

The attendance contest started in September, with two schools competing against each other each week. Schools planned their own activities for their competition to encourage student attendance, with many hosting spirit days, and contests between grade levels or classes. Weekly winners were determined by the highest percentage increase of each school's attendance rate for the week of the contest compared to each school's rate the week prior, so the focus was for each school to improve their own rate the most. After the regular matchups, the top schools entered the “Attendance Matters” Madness playoff period that mirrors the annual “March Madness” college basketball event. The playoffs began with a Sweet 16 tournament with the top 16 schools, then Elite 8, Final 4, and finally it ended with the Championship and one school as the overall district champion. In 2023-2024, Marley Park Elementary School took the win, and last year it was Freedom Traditional Academy.  

Anyone interested in donating to support the upcoming Dysart attendance campaign can email publicrelations@dysart.org or call 623-876-7195.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - 05/06/2026

The 8th Annual Dysart Education Foundation (DEF) Scholarship Awards Dinner was held at the Dysart Unified Support Services Facility on April 23, 2026. DEF funded their largest number of scholarships and students to date of $108,500 to 21 graduating high school seniors from the four Dysart Unified School District (DUSD) high schools to obtain higher education in their chosen fields.

This year’s program focused on “Celebrating Our Students and Their Champions.”  The Master of Ceremonies, Dysart Superintendent Dr. John Croteau, explained the evening’s theme, explaining that “Behind every scholarship recipient is someone who believed in them, encouraged them, and took the time to say, ‘This student matters.’” Southwest Foodservice Excellence (SFE) sponsored and catered the dinner to more than one hundred attendees to guarantee that all donations go directly to students.

Renee Rodriquesz (Dysart High School, Class of 2010) of “Oh Snap Photos” captured the evening, while the Dysart High School Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC), under the instruction of Command Sergeant Major (CSM) Detrinidad, posted the colors. Alumni Samantha Stinebaugh (Valley Vista High School, Class of 2021) sang the national anthem. Courtney Grieshaber (Shadow Ridge High School, Class of 2022), who is now teaching First Grade at Freedom Traditional Academy, was the keynote speaker, and urged the 2026 recipients to continue to seek guidance in their “Champions” and one day look back to be a “Champion” for someone else.

The 2026 recipients received their scholarship certificates in the presence of their families, DUSD principals, counselors, administration, Governing Board, the community leaders and officers from Surprise and El Mirage, and the donors of their scholarships.

Congratulations to:

Barnett Medical-Related Occupations Scholarship, $2,500 

• Brooke Rains, Shadow Ridge High School

Dysart High School Tyrus Timbrooks Memorial, $2,500 each 

• Layla Donahue, Dysart High School  
• Abigail Franco, Dysart High School 

El Mirage Firefighters Charities, $3,000 each  

• Andrea Castillo, Dysart High School 
• Grecia Ochoa, Dysart High School 

• The Randy Sterna Grand Opportunity Scholarship, $7,000
• Nancy Nguyen, Dysart High School 

SFE-Southwest Foodservice Excellence, $5,000 each

• Shannon Maloney, Shadow Ridge High School 
• Lydia Williams, Valley Vista High School 

Subaru Share the Love Scholarship of Surprise, $6,000 each

• Alejandra Flores, Valley Vista High School
• Kenrick Geffrard, Willow Canyon High School
• Eva Perez, Shadow Ridge High School  

Dysart Education Foundation Scholarship, $6,000 each

• Santiago Leyva-Fonseca, Dysart High School
• Alicca Lopez, Dysart High School
• Jacob Blackshear, Shadow Ridge High School
• Jalen Harris, Shadow Ridge High School
• Trenton Mueller, Shadow Ridge High School
• Chase Senft, Shadow Ridge High School
• Aftynn Bennett, Valley Vista High School
• Kayla Vargas, Valley Vista High School
• Ariana McCullom, Willow Canyon High School
• Arianna Prescott, Willow Canyon High School 

The Foundation thanks Western State Bank for their ongoing contributions and everyone who had an impact on this Celebration of Champions. DEF is a non-profit volunteer organization founded in 1985 whose sole purpose is to enrich and enhance educational opportunities in the Dysart Unified School District through fundraising. Seniors who achieve strong academic results, are active in their communities, and show financial need, can receive college scholarships.

The doors are open for volunteers in fundraising, marketing, social media, events, and operational support. Donations from businesses and individuals are always welcome. Visit the tab on our website under Alumni, Friends, & Donors for more information.

DEF’s intent is to engage the community in supporting public education by stimulating community involvement in education. Scholarships are available to apply in January through March of the graduating school year. Visit www.DysartEducationFoundation.org for information and to offer donations.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - 05/04/2026

DYSART SCHOOLS - The Dysart Unified School District is seeking individuals that live within the Dysart Unified School District boundaries who are interested in becoming a Trustee for the Employee Benefits Trust.  Three positions are available for a three-year term. The deadline to apply is May 25, 2026.

The purpose of the district’s Trust is to provide guidance and support on the district's benefits that are provided to employees. The Employee Benefits Trust has the following powers and duties: Receiving Contributions Paid to the Trust; Providing Benefits and Determining Coverage; Responsible for the Administration of All; and Employee Benefits.

The Board consists of five member Trustees and meets four times a year. All Trustees are appointed by the Dysart Unified School District Governing Board. Interested individuals should review the Trustee Position Summary and submit an Employee Benefits Trust Trustee Application.

For more information, please contact the Dysart Business Services office at 623-876-7018.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - 04/28/2026 

DYSART SCHOOLS - Dysart Unified School District will host high school graduation ceremonies for the 2026 senior class on Wednesday, May 13, 2026.  The four graduation ceremonies will take place at the Desert Diamond Arena, located at 9400 West Maryland Avenue, in Glendale, Arizona.  Ceremonies will begin at the following times: 

• 10:00 a.m. –  Willow Canyon High School 
• 12:30 p.m. – Dysart High School   
• 3:00 p.m. –Shadow Ridge High School   
• 5:30 p.m. – Valley Vista High School  

All graduation ceremonies will be live-streamed by Dysart Student Broadcasting Live (DSB Live) students at youtube.com/@DSBLive. DSB Live is a program to provide high school students with the opportunity for hands-on, real-world experience in broadcasting.  The live stream is free of charge, and will allow anyone to watch the ceremony live. The video recording will also be available to view after the event. 

Graduation ceremonies are open to the public. There is no charge for admission or parking, and tickets are not required.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - 04/27/2026

DYSART SCHOOLS - The Dysart Unified School District Governing Board voted to place a capital funding measure, Proposition 421, on the November 3, 2026 ballot. The action was taken during the April 13 Governing Board meeting. Proposition 421 represents an estimated $71.4 million capital funding program focused on maintaining safe, functional learning environments and supporting continued growth in the District. If approved by the voters, the measure would fund a series of priority projects across Dysart schools.

The estimated average annual tax rate for the proposed bond authorization is projected to be approximately $0.17 cents per $100 of net assessed valuation for secondary property tax purposes. Additional information about Proposition 421 will be made available to the community in the coming months.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - 04/23/2026

DYSART SCHOOLS - Dysart Unified School District annually names staff members as Heroes to recognize outstanding service to the district and the community. This year, 53 staff members received the honor of being named a Dysart Hero, after being selected through a peer nomination process.  Additionally, Smiling Out Loud (SOul) was recognized for their volunteer efforts for many years in the district. There were hundreds of nomination letters this year, truly demonstrating the hard work and dedication of Dysart’s staff. Heroes were surprised with the awards by the Dysart Hero Squad, made up of district administrators and Governing Board members, over the course of several days in March. 

The Dysart Heroes were honored during a ceremony on April 22, 2026 at Happy Trails Performing Arts Center. Dr. John Croteau, Superintendent of Dysart Schools, was the Master of Ceremonies and read excerpts from the nomination letters. A commemorative Hero plaque, sponsored by the Dysart Education Foundation, was presented by members of the Dysart Governing Board.  Attendees enjoyed dinner and a silent auction along with the awards ceremony.

Yahzid Alcala, Rancho Gabriela 

Alexis Anderson, Asante 

Nicchia Bellitto, Mountain View 

Kathy Berger, Riverview 

Danielle Boore, Willow Canyon 

Amy Brewer, Ashton Ranch 

Aisha Brooks-Austin, Dysart Middle 

Sabrina Byram, Valley Vista 

Stephanie Carr, Surprise 

Octavio Cerda, Willow Canyon 

Angela Cooper, Cimarron Springs 

Maria Cruz, Thompson Ranch 

Santos Cruz, Countryside 

Danielle Danielak-Moehr, Transportation 

Jamie DiCarlo, Freedom 

David Dyb, Kingswood 

Jessica Frohlich, Sunset Hills 

Elain Gameros, Riverview 

Deborah Gunn, Ashton Ranch 

Chanale Gutierrez, El Mirage 

Pamela Hensley, Western Peaks 

Shante Jaquez, Shadow Ridge 

Leigh Johnson, Western Peaks 

Karen Kindem, IT 

Julia Kuettel, Sundown Mountain

Brianna Larson, Shadow Ridge

Melissa Laufer, Sonoran Heights

Kimberly Lawson-Byrd, Thompson Ranch

Sylvia Leija, Valley Vista

Joanne Linduff, West Point

Kathy Lovely, Sunset Hills

Alex Marquardt, Countryside

Charleen Mattingly, Rancho Gabriela

Mike McIntosh, Marley Park

Regina Montoya, Luke

Juliane Pfeiffer, Canyon Ridge

Tricia Parker, Cimarron Springs

Ysella Ramirez, Dysart Middle

Kim Rivera, West Point

Oscar Rodriguez Lopez, Dysart High

Kyl Rucker, Luke

Kimberly Sabidong, Mountain View

Crystal Salazar-Campa, Rancho Gabriela

Abbiegail Schallmo, Asante

Lindsey Serene, Freedom

Leslye Shumaker, Kingswood 

SOuL (Smiling Out Loud), District Volunteer

Trevor Tuttle, Dysart High

Kendra Wayne, El Mirage

Jessica Whynott, Marley Park

Destiny Wiedeke, Canyon Ridge

Jeannette Williams, Sundown Mountain

Terry Young, Sonoran Heights

Juan Zuniga, Surprise

The Dysart Hero Awards were sponsored this year by generous community partners including:

Platinum Sponsors: 1GPA, Chasse, Dysart Education Foundation, Prime Therapeutics, Valley Schools 

Gold Sponsors: Blue Cross Blue Shield, CORE Construction 

Silver Sponsors: Bel-Aire Mechanical, Brock, Dave Bang Associates, Logicalis, The Brella Group 

Bronze Sponsors: Bluum, Sun Life

A special thanks to our schools and Parent Support organizations for donating silent auction items and to the Dysart Education Foundation for sponsoring our Dysart Hero plaques.

To view photos of the event please visit: Dysart Heroes 2026

Media inquiries or future sponsorship questions should be directed to the Communications and Public Relations Office at publicrelations@dysart.org or 623-876-7195.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - 04/14/2026

DYSART SCHOOLS - Dysart High School became the fourth school in the Dysart district to be named a Purple Star School in the state of Arizona for their strong support of military families. Dysart High School hosted a celebration ceremony and ribbon cutting on April 13, 2026 to announce the news to the students, parents and staff.

A Purple Star School designation indicates that a school is committed to supporting the unique needs for military-connected children by providing staff and programs to support students during their school transitions or deployment. Criteria to meet this designation include:

• Designated staff point of contact for military students and families
• A student transition program Dedicated web page with resources for military families
• Professional development for staff (70%) that helps familiarize and equip them to support the needs of military students

Currently, Dysart High School has a Student Ambassador program, where students are trained to become leaders within the school community.  Ambassadors play a key role in supporting military-connected students transitioning to Dysart High, organizing quarterly Military-Connected Meet and Greets, and volunteering at various school events throughout the year. Quarterly Meet and Greet activities will take place throughout the year, and in April, the Month of the Military Child will be recognized and celebrated throughout the school. 

Dysart High School’s designation follows Luke Elementary School, which was the first Purple Star School in the state of Arizona and the Dysart district, Shadow Ridge, and Valley Vista High Schools. Dysart High School is an “A” rated school of over 2,000 ninth through twelfth-grade students. To learn more about military support and resources at Dysart High School, click here.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - 04/13/2026

DYSART SCHOOLS - Requests for early entrance into Dysart’s kindergarten program for the 2026-2027 school year will be accepted from April 20 through May 20, 2026. Eligible children must turn five prior to December 31, 2026 to qualify. Interested parents may register their child for the Early Entrance Into Kindergarten Screener at Dysart.org/EarlyKinder beginning April 20.

Typically, children must turn five prior to August 31 in the school year for which they are applying to begin kindergarten. However, Dysart Schools offers a readiness screener as an option for those families that want to have their child(ren) screened for possible early kindergarten entry.  The screening, which may last up to 40 minutes, will be administered by a Dysart kindergarten teacher, and parents will be notified of the results within five business days after completion. During the screening, the child will work one-on-one with a certified teacher to take a variety of short assessments.

The Early Entrance Into Kindergarten Screener will be offered on June 2-4 and July 7-8, and screening will take place between 8am and 4pm, depending on the day. There is a $60 nonrefundable fee for the screener. Screenings will take place at the Dysart district office, located at 15802 North Parkview Place, in Surprise. Details on the program are available at Dysart.org/EarlyKinder, or by calling the Academic Services Department at 623-876-7173.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - 04/08/2026

DYSART SCHOOLS - The Dysart Unified School District is preparing to destroy archived special education records from the 2021-2022 school year and will begin this process in July 2026. Special Education records, including placement records, referrals, evaluations, testing data, etc. are maintained for four fiscal years after a student’s final enrollment in a special education program. Final enrollment in a special education program is defined as the last day a student is enrolled in a special education program and is no longer receiving services. Parents, guardians, or eligible students have the right to review and/or receive a copy of these records before July 2026. Please contact ess.records@dysart.org or 623-876-7023 prior to July 2026 to review records.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - 04/03/2026

DYSART SCHOOLS - The Dysart Unified School District is hosting a career fair for those interested in becoming a K-8 teacher or Exceptional Student Services (ESS) teacher through the district’s paid on-the-job Educator Preparation Program (EPP), called Ready2Teach. The EPP Career Fair will take place on Friday, April 24, 2026 from 3:00-5:00 pm at the district support services facility located at 13825 W. Desert Cove Rd., Surprise, AZ 85379. Walk-ins are welcome, and advance registration is not required to attend the job fair. Prospective applicants should bring their current resume and be ready for an interview.

The Ready2Teach program prepares individuals who already possess a non-education bachelor’s degree, to receive a Classroom-based Standard Elementary Teacher Certificate or a K-12 Special Education Certificate without going back to school or paying tuition. Participants will receive paid, job-embedded training, mentorship and coaching in the classroom, and will be provided with everything they need to obtain their certification at the end of the two-year program. Interested applicants must possess a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution, and be able to obtain a valid fingerprint clearance card from the Arizona Department of Public Safety.

Dysart Schools is an “A” rated district that employs over 2,700 staff members at 26 schools and two support sites.  Along with competitive salaries, Dysart offers a comprehensive benefit package to staff, has won many awards for its wellness program, and was named a Top 10 Healthiest Employer by the Phoenix Business Journal in 2023.  Dysart is the largest employer in the cities of Surprise and El Mirage, is a two time Forbes Best-In-State Employer, and has been recognized as one of the Best Companies to work for by both Zippia and TalentDesk. Dysart’s starting salary for a new teacher is one of the highest in the Valley, at over $55,600 when Proposition 301 base and performance funds are included. Based on the Auditor General Report, Dysart’s average teacher salary ($70,153) is well above the state average ($65,113) and that of peer districts ($66,799). Additionally, hard-to-fill stipends are available for SPED, math and science teachers, and employees have additional earning power through employee referrals and other opportunities.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - 04/02/2026

DYSART SCHOOLS - Willow Canyon High School will be the newest school in Arizona to offer a U.S. Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC) program. The program will launch for the 2026/2027 school year at the school campus, located at 17901 West Lundberg Street, Surprise AZ 85388, and was approved by the Dysart Governing Board at the March 30 meeting. Students in grades 9-12 will be eligible to enroll in the program, which consists of up to four levels of leadership education instruction.

“We are extremely proud to expand our JROTC offerings through a partnership with the Marine Corps,” said Dr. John Croteau, Dysart Schools Superintendent. “These programs provide valuable opportunities for the students in our community, and it is a great honor for Dysart to be chosen through the Marine Corps’ rigorous selection process.” 

This will be the second JROTC program in the Dysart district, as an Army JROTC program has been in place at Dysart High School for many years. Both programs are offered through Dysart’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) department, and include classroom and field experience, as well as clubs for associated competitive teams.  

About Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps  The Marine Corps JROTC program is one of the Marine Corps’s contributions to assisting America’s youth to become better citizens. The program produces successful students and productive adults, while fostering in each school a more constructive and disciplined learning environment. The mission of the program is to develop character and citizenship in the youth of America.  Objectives include: Give students an appreciation for the origin, advantages and responsibilities of citizenship; Develop an understanding of leadership skills and the advantages of strong moral character; Promote in the students an understanding for the need and application of national security; and Develop in students a sense of pride and personal discipline.

DYSART SCHOOLS - Dysart’s Growing Minds Preschool is now enrolling children ages 2-5 for the 2026/2027 school year. Parents ready to enroll their child can do so at GrowingMindsPreschool.org.

Growing Minds Preschool serves children ages 2-5 with the core value of cultivating learning by supporting the “Learn through Play” mantra. Through the application of Creative Curriculum, all children are provided with developmentally appropriate academics in reading, writing, academic vocabulary, oral language development, math, science and social studies. All Growing Minds Preschool skills are aligned with the Arizona Early Childhood Education standards. Half-day and full-day options are available with typical hours of operation from 6:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuition ranges from $335-$500 bi-weekly, with a sibling discount of 15% available. The preschool is open Monday through Friday to accommodate working families.

The Growing Minds Preschool main campus is located at 17999 W. Surprise Farms Loop S., Surprise, AZ 85388. Satellite locations are available at Freedom Traditional Academy (16066 N. Parkview Pl., Surprise 85374), Marley Park Elementary School (15042 W. Sweetwater Ave., Surprise, AZ 85379), and Mountain View School (18302 W. Burton Ave., Waddell, AZ 85355). To learn more, visit GrowingMindsPreschool.org, email growingmindspreschool@dysart.org, or call 623-876-7350 for more information.

DYSART SCHOOLS - Dysart Unified School District invites the community to a Teacher Career Fair on Wednesday, April 15, 2026 from 3:00-5:00 pm at the district office located at 15802 N. Parkview Place, Surprise, AZ 85374. Walk-ins are welcome, but interested candidates can also register in advance to schedule an onsite interview at Dysart.org/CareerFair.

The Career Fair will feature openings for teaching positions in all subjects for the 2026-2027 school year within Dysart. Interested applicants can also apply online for any open positions at Dysart.org/Careers prior to or at the Career Fair.  Qualified candidates will be able to interview on April 15. Attendees will also be able to meet with schools to learn more about job opportunities and visit with the Human Resources staff.  Prospective applicants should bring their current resume and be ready for an interview.

Dysart Schools is an “A” rated district that employs over 2,700 staff members at 26 schools and two support sites.  Along with competitive salaries, Dysart offers a comprehensive benefit package to staff, has won many awards for its wellness program, and was named a Top 10 Healthiest Employer by the Phoenix Business Journal in 2023.  Dysart is the largest employer in the cities of Surprise and El Mirage, is a two time Forbes Best-In-State Employer, and has been recognized as one of the Best Companies to work for by both Zippia and TalentDesk. Dysart’s starting salary for a new teacher is one of the highest in the Valley, at over $55,600 when Proposition 301 base and performance funds are included. Based on the Auditor General Report, Dysart’s average teacher salary ($70,153) is well above the state average ($65,113) and that of peer districts ($66,799). Additionally, hard-to-fill stipends are available for SPED, math and science teachers, and employees have additional earning power through employee referrals and other opportunities.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - 03/24/2026

DYSART SCHOOLS - The Dysart Unified School District is excited to announce registration is now open for our two annual Dysart Summer Camps.  Families interested in signing up their children for camp during Summer Break should do so early, as space is limited. Children do not need to attend a Dysart school in order to participate, and registration is completed exclusively online.

Growing Minds Preschool Summer Camp:

Growing Minds Preschool Summer Camp is where little imaginations come to life through play, exploration, and endless fun. Each day is filled with hands-on adventures, creative play, and engaging activities designed just for little learners. From water play and outdoor exploration to art, music, and themed weeks, children are encouraged to explore their interests, build friendships, and grow their confidence in a safe and nurturing environment with caring teachers guiding the way. Growing Minds Preschool Summer Camp is available for children ages 2 years old to 5 years old. Camp costs are charged weekly, and are $240 for Early Preschool students and $232.50 for Preschool and Pre-K aged students.

To register for Growing Minds Preschool Summer Camp click here.  For more information on the Growing Minds Preschool Summer Camp, please contact 623-876-7350 or growingmindspreschool@dysart.org.

Den Club Summer Camp:

The fully supervised and licensed Summer Camp will be held June 1 through July 24 at three sites, including Freedom Traditional Academy (16066 N Parkview Pl, Surprise, AZ 85374), Rancho Gabriela Elementary School (15272 W Gabriela Dr, Surprise, AZ 85379), and Sunset Hills Elementary School (17825 W Sierra Montana Loop, Surprise, AZ 85388). Hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and participation is flexible for family convenience.  The camp costs $190 for five days, or $170 for four days, and is available for children in kindergarten through eighth grade. The students will spend the week enjoying fun activities such as arts and crafts, STEM projects, robotics and gaming, field trips, as well as the gym and outdoor games.  

To register for Den Club Summer Camp 2026 visit dysart.org/communityeducation.  For more information on Den Club Summer Camp, please contact 623-876-7389 or communityeducation@dysart.org.

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - 03/23/2026

DYSART SCHOOLS -  iSchool Summer School registration is now open for current Dysart students enrolled in grades 8-11. Online classes may be used for students to advance in their course work or grade improvement for courses where credit has already been earned.  Students may choose to take up to two classes, depending on their start date

The deadline to register for Dysart’s online iSchool program is April 17, 2026 for those wanting to start classes on April 20, and May 22, 2026 for those who want to start online on May 26. Students who desire to earn 1.0 credits will need to begin courses at the April 20th start date. Students who begin iSchool classes on the second start date of May 26, will only be able to complete one class for .5 credit.

Eighth graders looking to work ahead on their high school courses through iSchool must take two classes, each a half credit.  Class options include honors math, Spanish and PE. Ninth through eleventh graders can take any classes currently offered in the iSchool program, except AP courses. The cost is $200 per 0.5 credit, $100 for those on free and reduced lunch, and $160 for children of Dysart employees. All offered classes meet graduation requirements and are taught by certified teachers. Current Dysart 8-11 graders who are interested in summer school can register with their school counselor or administrator, or may contact the iSchool office at ischool@dysart.org or 623-876-7295.

While iSchool classwork is online, students will have access to in-person instructors for additional support starting June 1 in the Valley Vista High School Media Center, if needed. Students in grades 9-11 are required to take an in-person final exam at Valley Vista High School before noon on June 18 to complete the class. Eighth graders must take the in-person final exam by May 26 at Sundown Mountain. In order to receive iSchool credit, students must earn a 60% or higher on both the classwork and final exam.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - 3/13/26

DYSART SCHOOLS - Shadow Ridge High School student, Nicholas Snyder, has moved on to be a Finalist in the next stage of the National Merit Scholarship Program. After high school, Snyder plans to major in mechanical engineering, and hopes to develop new technologies, possibly in transportation or manufacturing.

When asked what being a National Merit Scholar means, Snyder shares, “I think it's just representative of the effort that people are willing to put forth to better themselves and to apply their skills to better the world in the future… I think that's what people's goals should be, is to apply their own knowledge, their own skills, and their own strengths, towards the betterment of humanity, towards serving the common good.”

In the Fall of 2025, the highest scoring students in the state were named Semifinalists out of over 1.3 million high school juniors that take the PSAT/NMSQT test each year. Only 16,000 students, or less than one percent of all high school seniors in the U.S., advance to be Semifinalists, and these students can submit an application to be considered for Finalist and compete for one of 6,900 National Merit Scholarships that will be awarded in the spring.

About National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC)

NMSC, a not-for-profit organization that operates without government assistance, was established in 1955 specifically to conduct the annual National Merit Scholarship Program. Scholarships are underwritten by NMSC with its own funds and by approximately 300 business organizations and higher education institutions that share NMSC’s goals of honoring the nation’s scholastic champions and encouraging the pursuit of academic excellence.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - 02/12/2026

DYSART SCHOOLS - Dysart Unified School District invites the community to a Career Fair on Wednesday, March 11, 2026 from 3:00-5:00 pm at the district office located at 15802 N. Parkview Place, Surprise, AZ 85374. Walk-ins are welcome, but interested candidates can also register in advance to schedule an onsite interview at Dysart.org/Careers.

The Career Fair will feature nearly 150 employment options, either for immediate openings or for positions for the 2026-2027 school year. Positions range from teachers in all subjects, as well as support staff. High need areas include Special Education, math and science teachers, paraprofessionals, often referred to as classroom assistants, child care and preschool aide positions. 

Interested applicants can also apply online for any open positions at Dysart.org/Careers prior to or at the Career Fair.  Qualified candidates will be able to interview on March 11. Attendees will also be able to meet with schools and departments to learn more about job opportunities and visit with the Human Relations staff.  Prospective applicants should bring their current resume and be ready for an interview.

Dysart Schools is an “A” rated district that employs over 2,700 staff members at 26 schools and two support sites.  Along with competitive salaries, Dysart offers a comprehensive benefit package to staff, has won many awards for its wellness program, and was named a Top 10 Healthiest Employer by the Phoenix Business Journal in 2023.  Dysart is the largest employer in the cities of Surprise and El Mirage, is a two time Forbes Best-In-State Employer, and has been recognized as one of the Best Companies to work for by both Zippia and TalentDesk. Dysart’s starting salary for a new teacher is one of the highest in the Valley, at over $55,600 when Proposition 301 base and performance funds are included. Based on the Auditor General Report, Dysart’s average teacher salary ($70,153) is well above the state average ($65,113) and that of peer districts ($66,799). Additionally, hard-to-fill stipends are available for SPED, math and science teachers, and employees have additional earning power through employee referrals and other opportunities.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - 02/10/2026

DYSART SCHOOLS - The Dysart Unified School District, in partnership with Germain Honda of Surprise, will host the Dysart Festival of the Arts on Saturday, March 7, 2026.  The festival will take place from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. at Valley Vista High School, 15550 N Parkview Place, Surprise. The festival is free to attend and is open to the public.

The festival will showcase the visual and performing arts programs from sixteen elementary schools, four middle schools, and four high schools in the Dysart Unified School District.  The day will be packed with back-to-back performances on multiple stages including various dance troops, theatre troops, choirs, and bands. The elementary, middle school, and high school visual arts programs will host two art showcases including 2D and 3D pieces, as well as a chalk art exhibition along the path of the festival. 

Some of the event highlights include the Arts Experience area that offers multiple hands-on opportunities for attendees to participate in the arts, including dance workshops, bucket drumming, keyboard labs, 3D arts activities, and art projects. Our Adaptive Art Experience offers a hands-on immersive arts experience for individuals and families that may need accommodations or a sensory friendly experience.

This year's festival is proud to host over 50 arts vendors, food trucks and community partners.   These artisans will have their products on display for purchase. Visit www.Dysart.org/ArtsFest for more details or a list of performances, vendors and food trucks.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - 02/06/2026

DYSART SCHOOLS - The Dysart Unified School District is excited to announce registration is now open for the annual Dysart Spring Camp.  Families interested in signing up their children for camp during Spring Break should do so early, as space is limited. Registration is completed exclusively online.

The fully supervised and licensed Spring Camp will be held March 16 through March 20 at Sunset Hills Elementary School, 17825 W Sierra Montana Loop in Surprise, AZ 85388.  Hours of operation are 6:00 a.m. through 6:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and 6:00 a.m. through 4:00pm on Friday, and participation is flexible for family convenience.  The camp costs $190 for five days, or $170 for four days, and is available for children in kindergarten through eighth grade. The students will spend the week enjoying fun activities such as arts and crafts, STEM projects, robotics and gaming, as well as the gym and outdoor games.  Sign up today for a week full of fun!

To register for Spring Camp 2026 visit dysart.org/breakcamps.  Current Den Club families can log in to their account and register using the existing accounts link. This camp is open to all children in the community. Children do not need to attend a Dysart school in order to participate.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - 02/05/2026

DYSART SCHOOLS - Boasting a total of 67 National Board Certified employees in the district, Dysart Schools had five staff members earn their National Board Certified Teachers (NBCTs) certifications this year, and sixteen renewed their certification. National certifications are the highest and most rigorous credentials that can be earned for various professions across the U.S. for teachers, psychologists, nurses, occupational and physical therapists and behavior analysts, and are overseen by their respective organizations.

Dysart staff that received National Board certification for the first time include:

• Emily Allen, Teaching and Learning Specialist at Dysart Middle School
• Dr. Felix Bou, School Psychologist
• Zachary Dominguez, School Psychologist
  
• Andrina Jimenez, Kindergarten Teacher at Thompson Ranch Elementary School
  
• Christie Kearley, STC Teacher at Cimarron Springs Middle School
  

Dysart staff that renewed their certification include:

• Bonita Dalton, Occupational Therapist
• Marissa Elder, Occupational Therapist
• Delia Hoke-McCarthy, School Psychologist
  
• Leigh Ives, School Psychologist
  
• Crystal Lozada, School Psychologist
  
• Jeffrey Marquis, School Psychologist
  
• Cheryl Martin, Teaching and Learning Specialist
  
• Brittney Moore, Behavior Analyst
  
• Jacque Nelson, Occupational Therapist
  
• Zachary Nutongla, Occupational Therapist
  
• Dana Oken, Occupational Therapist
  
• Riley O’Neal, School Psychologist
  
• Jesica Roehm, Special Education Preschool Liaison
  
• Jean Vogel, ELA Coach at Riverview School
  
• Renee Whitmire, Occupational Therapist
  
• Sandra Heide, Occupational Therapist
  

The teachers that earned their certification were recently recognized by the Arizona K12 Center with a special felt pennant delivery in celebration of their achievement through the National Board Certified Teacher program. Dysart awards all staff members who have earned National Board Certification a stipend equal to 5% of their base salary to honor the hard work and dedication it took to reach this achievement. Additionally, Dysart supports staff members interested in earning the certification by arranging cohort meetings and substitute coverage for two professional days for preparation.

National Board programs are managed by various industry-specific organizations, including the following: National Board for Professional Teaching Standards; National Board of Certification of School Nurses; National School Psychology Certification Board; Behavior Analyst Certification Board; National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy; and the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties.