Paradise Valley, Arizona – Events and Things to do

Discover Paradise Valley

The Paradise Valley Unified School District (PVSchools) is a large public school district serving kindergarten through 12th grade students in northeast Phoenix and Scottsdale, Arizona.

Here’s an overview of the district:

Size: PVSchools is the seventh-largest school district in Arizona, serving 32,000 students in a 98-square-mile area. It has a student-teacher ratio of 15:1.

Schools: The district comprises 30 elementary schools, one K-8 school, seven middle schools, five high schools, two alternative schools, and a K-12 online school called PVOnline. Free full-day kindergarten is offered at the elementary schools.

Location: The district is conveniently located near major freeways, shopping, and residential areas in northeast Phoenix and north Scottsdale.

Academics & Programs: PVSchools offers a variety of educational choice programs, including International Baccalaureate, AVID, Core Knowledge, STEM, and more. They also offer fine arts, career & technical education, AP courses, before- and after-school programs, sports, extracurricular activities, and gifted and special education programs. High schools offer dual enrollment and college credits.

Finances: The district’s annual revenue is $332,984,000, with $9,649 spent per student. Their spending practices focus on maximizing classroom resources and they are highly ranked in classroom spending among Arizona districts.

Governance: The Governing Board oversees the district. Regular board meetings are typically held on the first and third Thursdays of each month at 6:30 p.m. at the District Administrative Center.

Enrollment: According to U.S. News & World Report, the district serves 27,919 students, with 50% minority enrollment and 29.8% economically disadvantaged students. Open enrollment is available, allowing parents to apply to any school with available classroom space. Enrollment priorities are in place for certain student groups. The district has seen declining enrollment, possibly due to factors like lower birth rates, higher property values, and the state’s school voucher program.

Faculty: PVSchools has a high percentage of highly qualified teachers and a high concentration of nationally board-certified teachers.

Calendar: Key dates for the current school year, including the first day of school and holidays, can be found on the district’s website calendar.

Employment: PVSchools is a major employer with around 3,700 employees. Career opportunities for teachers and support staff are available. Current job openings can be found on their website.