Scottsdale Schools Home to Excellent Programs

There are a number of reasons that Scottsdale homes are so highly sought after by families interested in quality public education for their children. If you’re considering purchasing a home, land, condo or other residential real estate in Scottsdale, chances are, you’re interested in the local school district and what it has to offer your children and your entire family.

While there are many exceptional private schools nearby, the highly rated Scottsdale public schools are also an outstanding choice for many families. One of the educational offerings that make the Scottsdale Unified School District enticing to those interested in a top-notch education is the International Baccalaureate program. More commonly known as an “IB” program, this rigorous program challenges students’ thought processes and help them gain an international perspective. In SUSD, the IB program is currently offered only at Desert Mountain High School.

During the intensive two-year program, juniors and seniors take courses with a global focus and are expected to successfully meet and complete testing criteria in six subject areas: English, Spanish or French, social science, a lab science, math and the arts. In addition, the program includes requirements for an extended essay and community service. In order to take IB courses, students must apply to the freshman and sophomore pre-diploma program when they are eighth-graders and then apply to the full-scale IB program when they are sophomores. Grades, test scores, teacher recommendations and writing samples are reviewed.

The Scottsdale Unified School district has 31 schools and encompasses homes in most of the city of Scottsdale, in most of the town of Paradise Valley as well as in parts of Phoenix and Tempe. The district consists of five high schools, six middle schools, three K-8 schools, 16 elementary schools and one alternative school. SUSD is currently considered one of Arizona’s “Most Excelling” school districts, with 22 schools earning the highest rating from the Arizona Department of Education.