The 2023-2024 school year has come to a close and it provides us with a moment for reflection and celebration, especially as we watched over 900 of our district's graduates step confidently towards their futures.
This year has been filled with significant achievements and promising developments across our district, reflecting our commitment to excellence in education and community engagement. Perhaps the most notable testament to our outstanding district is the extreme enrollment growth we experience each year. Parents have many choices on where they enroll their children, yet they continue to choose Queen Creek Unified School District (QCUSD). You see, this hyper-growth reflects the community's trust in our vision and is a testament to the quality programs, staff and experiences provided within this K-12 district. The QCUSD graduates have truly benefited from the QCUSD. The graduates will take a variety of post-secondary career paths, but they are all equipped with the skills necessary to create opportunities and value for themselves.
Consider a few of the district’s accomplishments for the 2023-2024 school year.
Among the proudest moments was when Faith Mather Sossaman Elementary was honored with the A+ School of Excellence Award by the Arizona Educational Foundation. This recognition speaks volumes about the dedication our educators and staff put into creating enriching and supportive learning environments.
Our students' performance continues to exceed expectations. They have excelled in their academic pursuits, with College Readiness Benchmark scores towering over the state averages by 13% in Math and 16% in English Language Arts. Our seniors have been awarded a staggering total of more than $45.3 million in scholarships, readying them for their next steps in higher education.
In athletics and extracurricular activities, our students have excelled remarkably. Thirty-nine student-athletes have committed to collegiate-level sports, and 17 of our athletic programs have been ranked among the top 10 in the state. Congratulations to Eastmark High School: Girls Basketball, Football, Flag Football, Softball, Girls Swim & Dive, and boys track. Queen Creek High School: Baseball, Boys Cross Country, Softball, Beach Volleyball, Girls Volleyball Boys & Girls track. Crimson High School: Girls Track.
Superior ratings at music festivals still stand. QCHS Thespians have been nominated for several awards from ASU Gammage. More art achievements: An art student, Hannah Rhoton, won the people's choice award for the Congressional Art Competition.
Over 500 students completed Career and Technical Education programs, gaining not only valuable knowledge but also industry certifications that will propel them into their future careers with confidence.
None of these achievements would be possible without the relentless dedication of our teachers, staff and administrators. Their daily commitment to nurturing the potential of every student is what sets our district apart. The unwavering support from our families and community members plays a crucial role in our continued success.
If you are inspired by our district's achievements and wish to support or become a part of our thriving educational community, I invite you to explore what we offer. Visit our website at qcusd.org to learn more about enrolling your child in one of our award-winning schools or finding out how you can contribute to our ongoing success.
Dr. Perry Berry has been superintendent of the Queen Creek Unified School District since June 2015.
