Highlights of the Third Quarter

Dr. Perry Berry reading to elementary students

The third quarter brought plenty of reasons to celebrate across Queen Creek Unified School District! From exciting events and academic achievements to strong partnerships and school pride, our students and staff made this quarter one to remember.

Desert Mountain Elementary

  • The PTO successfully hosted a Valentine’s Dance, giving students and families a fun and meaningful opportunity to connect while strengthening the school community.
  • Families enjoyed the Mother & Son STEM Challenge Night, where hands-on activities encouraged creativity, problem-solving, and teamwork in an engaging learning environment.

Frances Brandon-Pickett Elementary

  • PTO President Stacey Fiske and Vice President Missy Violette led the planning and coordination of the Color Run fundraiser, raising over $15,000 to support school initiatives.
  • Field Day was filled with sunshine, smiles, and excitement as students enjoyed friendly competition, laughter, and plenty of outdoor fun.

Faith Mather Sossaman Elementary

  • Sixth grader Jake Vlahos-Mendoza earned an impressive third-place finish in the regional spelling bee, and the FMSE community is incredibly proud of his dedication and hard work.
  • Sabercat families enjoyed a spirited night at Texas Roadhouse, and students had a blast learning line dancing when the Texas Roadhouse team visited campus.

Gateway Polytechnic Academy

  • The annual Aviator Dash raised more than $91,000, with funds supporting school improvements such as a new cafeteria sound system and essential student programs.
  • Students across campus gained valuable knowledge during an engaging fire safety presentation led by Mesa Firefighters.

Jack Barnes Elementary

  • Career Day was a tremendous success, as parents, community, and business volunteers shared insights into their professions and inspired students to explore future career paths.
  • The very first Jack BARNes dance was a memorable evening made possible by generous community partners, dedicated volunteers, and PTO support, creating a fun and welcoming experience for families.

Katherine Mecham Barney Elementary

  • Vice Mayor Bryan McClure joined Mrs. Onofre’s class as a guest reader to celebrate Read Across America Week and promote a love of reading.
  • Fourth-grade teachers completed Town of Queen Creek water conservation training, allowing students to participate in a field trip focused on environmental stewardship and sustainability.

Mountain Trail Academy

  • Students enjoyed a special visit from the Queen Creek Rodeo as part of the Roots and Boots education partnership, bringing hands-on learning to life.
  • The MTA community raised more than $24,000 during the Fun Run to support new playground equipment, shade structures, and campus enhancements.

Queen Creek Elementary

  • Hudson Siemens and Collin Gomez earned spots in the district honor orchestra, showcasing their musical talent and dedication.
  • Career Day provided students with meaningful opportunities to learn about a wide range of professions directly from community members.

Schnepf Elementary

  • Principal Orr proudly accepted a $1,000 donation from Safeway in the Harvest neighborhood during the opening ceremony festivities.
  • Student Sadie McGauvran represented Schnepf Elementary by presenting alongside fellow students and principals at the businessp partner breakfast.

Silver Valley Elementary

  • Silver Valley Elementary was recognized on the House floor as a shining example of educational excellence in Arizona, honoring its status as a Lighthouse School and A+ School of Excellence.
  • The school also received the Teacher Created Materials Spotlight Award, celebrating its strong culture of leadership, collaboration, and learning.

Newell Barney College Prep

  • Students explored a variety of career pathways and visited ASU’s School of Earth and Space Exploration to expand their understanding of future opportunities.
  • Lead Out Loud students partnered with Mrs. Perry to create and donate blankets to the Family Resource Center, supporting local families in need.

Queen Creek Junior High School

  • The Queen Creek Junior High pom team earned an outstanding second-place finish at the Pink State competition, showcasing teamwork and school pride.
  • Dr. Perry Berry started the day by thanking teachers and staff with bagels as a small gesture of appreciation for their continued dedication.

Crismon High School

  • Crismon wrestling made history as the girls team captured their first-ever state championship. Additionally, the boys team finished third overall and had 16 wrestlers place at state.
  • The Crismon DECA chapter earned Diamond Chapter status and THRIVE-level recognition, placing it among the top chapters in Arizona.
  • Thirteen students competed at the DECA conference, with three placing in the top 10 percent and advancing to finals.

Eastmark High School

  • Eastmark High School earned the Bronze Award for the AP honor roll, highlighting its commitment to student achievement in advanced coursework.
  • Eastmark cadets made history with a first-place victory at the Raider Meet Championship.

Queen Creek High School

  • Cheer teams achieved outstanding results at nationals, earning multiple national champion titles and a silver national championship across divisions.
  • Senior Prahlad was named a national merit finalist, a prestigious academic honor recognizing his exceptional PSAT performance.

Queen Creek Unified School District

  • During School Choice Week, Queen Creek Unified School District celebrated the families who trust the district for high-quality education and supportive learning environments where students thrive.
  • Families are invited to attend Kinder Round Up at all Queen Creek Unified School District elementary schools to learn more about kindergarten programs and meet school staff.
  • Queen Creek Unified School District proudly partnered with Albertsons/Safeway, receiving $50,000 in combined support for district schools and the Queen Creek Schools Education Foundation, reinforcing a shared commitment to student success.