14 of 16 schools earn A-Rating from the Arizona Department of Education

HIGLEY SCHOOLS (October 31, 2023) – Higley Unified School District (HUSD) is an A-Rated school district. The Arizona Department of Education announced HUSD’s grade this week, based on outstanding academic performance and student achievement growth within the fourteen schools that make up the district. Higley is one of only a few LEAs (approximately 30%) in the state that earned an A-Rated district rating. 

Interim Superintendent Sherry Richards said, “We are thrilled that Higley has been named as an A-Rated district. This wasn’t earned by a single school or even a handful of schools. Earning this acknowledgement for the entire district is an outstanding feat that speaks to the overall excellence of our schools across the board.  This recognition is truly a team effort and speaks to the quality of all our employees at Higley including teachers, principals, and staff.”

Higley serves some of the fastest growing communities in the United States. In the last decade, Gilbert's population has grown by 25% and Queen Creek has a growth rate of 121%.  The district has worked hard to keep up with growth while offering a well-rounded, high-quality education. Higley’s schools received the following ratings:

• Bridges Elementary School- A
• Centennial Elementary School- A
• Chaparral Elementary School- A
• Coronado Elementary School- A
• Cortina Elementary- A
• Gateway Pointe Elementary- B
• Higley Traditional Academy- A
• Power Ranch Elementary- A
• San Tan Elementary- A
• Cooley Middle School- B
• Sossaman Middle School- A
• Higley High School- A
• Williams Field High School- A
• Higley Virtual Academy- A

Some individual site highlights compared to state, include HTA, Coronado, and Bridges are all in the top 15% of K-8s in Arizona for total points earned. Higley High and WFHS are both in the top 10% of traditional 9-12 schools (does not include high schools that serve 7-12 such as Casteel, Basha, Gilbert High School).

According to the Arizona State Board of Education, the A-F accountability system “measures year to year student academic growth, proficiency on English language arts, math and science, the proficiency and academic growth of English language learners, indicators that an elementary student is ready for success in high school and that high school students are ready to succeed in a career or higher education and high school graduation rates.”

“With a focus on solid educational offerings from preschool through high school, classroom teachers focus on each student's learning, we have taken the guesswork out of education with data-driven instruction and accountability,” said Interim Superintendent Sherry Richards “We are honored to receive this recognition and will continue to strive to not only maintain this achievement but also to improve.”

Interim Superintendent Sherry Richards concluded, “Our biggest thanks goes out to our parents and students. We could not achieve this rating without their dedication and commitment to success.  Certainly, we are proud of our hard work, but we recognize that this level of achievement does not happen without a strong partnership with our parents and community.”

About the Higley Unified School District

Higley Unified School District is a distinguished district in Arizona that serves students at 16 schools located in Gilbert and Queen Creek, including HUSD's very own Virtual Academy. Students succeed on a number of academic markers as teachers prepare learners today to achieve their goals and dreams of tomorrow. Higley schools offer a well-rounded education with academics, music, art, languages, athletics, physical education, technology, and character education. Schools provide a safe and inviting environment for learning. Extra-curricular activities begin at the elementary school level, with dozens of options available at the high schools. Higley students receive a well-rounded education to ensure they become innovative learners, responsible citizens, and college and career ready scholars.