Articles from December 2023

Last night, the Laveen Elementary School District hosted its highly anticipated L.E.A.P. (Laveen’s Exploration of Academic Pathways) event, welcoming over 100 families to learn about the many educational opportunities available for their students.

Held at the Laveen Elementary School, the event brought together representatives from 26 schools, including a mix of high schools and colleges, showcasing a variety of programs, pathways, and resources to help students plan their future academic journeys. Families from all nine Laveen schools attended, eager to explore the diverse options and gather valuable insights.

Parents and students alike were impressed with the event’s scope. One parent shared, “I was amazed by the variety of schools in attendance and how informative the representatives were. It gave me a better understanding of the opportunities my child can pursue after middle school.”

L.E.A.P. Night provided an opportunity for families to engage in meaningful conversations with school representatives, ask questions, and collect materials to guide their decisions. From specialty programs to college preparatory pathways, the event was a true celebration of academic exploration and empowerment.

If you missed last night’s event, don’t worry! The next L.E.A.P. Night is scheduled for Wednesday, April 2, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the Laveen Elementary School. Mark your calendars and join us for another incredible evening of exploration and learning.

We look forward to seeing even more families there as we continue to inspire our students to dream big and plan for a bright future!

The Laveen Elementary School District hosts a Winter Festival for the community each year. The 10th annual Laveen Winter Festival is scheduled for Friday, December 6, 2024. The event runs from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the David Glasser Athletic Complex, 5001 W. Dobbins.

This year’s Winter Festival will feature obstacle courses (for both big and little kids), games, activities, student performances, photo opportunities, holiday gift vendors, food, and much more!

Admission is free. Tickets will be available for purchase for select activities. Credit cards accepted.

All proceeds benefit the Laveen Education Foundation.

Visit our Winter Festival page for more info.

Please take a look at the student performance schedule.

Laveen’s Kids Club is now enrolling for Winter Break Camp. Camp is open to children in Grades preschool-6 and will be held December 20- January 3 at Desert Meadows School. Visit our Day Camp page for details and to register.

On October 28, 2024, the Arizona Department of Education released new letter grades for each school based on the latest state assessment data from the 2023-24 school year. All schools in the Laveen School District have received top marks with Four schools earning an “A” rating and five schools earning a “B” rating from the Arizona Department of Education for 2024. Laveen District schools are the highest-performing schools in the community.

Laveen Elementary School, Paseo Pointe Dual Language Academy, Estrella Foothills Global Academy, and Vista del Sur Accelerated Academy all received “A” Labels. Cheatham, Desert Meadows, Rogers Ranch, M.C. Cash, and Trailside Point received “B” Labels, also considered to be “Highly Performing.”

Background: The Arizona Department of Education (ADE) issues annual achievement profiles for every public school in the state of Arizona, based on an A through F scale. The system measures year-to-year student academic growth; proficiency in English language arts, math, and science; the proficiency and academic growth of English language learners; and acceleration/readiness indicators.

Each year one teacher from each school is selected to receive the district’s Excellence in Education Award. This prestigious award is given to those who attain high academic achievement for their students, provide exceptional service and leadership at their school, and make a positive difference outside of the classroom and in the community.

Congratulations to Laveen Elementary School, Luke Smith

The Laveen School District will be implementing a change to the district calendar beginning next school year (2024/25) that will impact the Wednesday half-day schedules.

Currently, we have 15 half days each year in which our staff receives professional development following dismissal. We also have four half days for parent/teacher conferences.

Next year, instead of the 15 half days in which our schools dismiss three hours early, we will dismiss an hour and a half early every Wednesday (36 days).  Half-day schedules on parent/teacher conference days as well as the last day of school will remain unchanged.

The reason for this change is twofold.

First, early-release Wednesdays allow for more instructional time in core subject areas. Students will follow a schedule similar to a full school day. This change will make the calendar more consistent for families.

Second, Laveen is in the process of implementing Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) for staff. By offering this time weekly, instead of once or twice a month, staff will receive more quality research-based training that is conducive to developing a strong Professional Learning Community and will ultimately improve student learning.

For more information, visit our FAQ on this topic.

Read the letter from Superintendent Dr. Jeff Sprout.