Dysart Reflects on Successful Year of Academics, Arts, and Athletics

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - 06/04/2026

DYSART SCHOOLS - “A” rated Dysart Unified School District (DUSD) proudly celebrates a school year surrounded by top-rated schools, hard-working students and staff, success in academics, arts and athletics, and a focus on fiscal responsibility and transparency.

For the third year in a row, Dysart received an "A" rating from the State of Arizona. Overall, 100% of our schools achieved either an “A” or “B” rating, with 19 schools earning an “A”, and five earning a “B”. Dysart Unified School District was ranked the #4 Unified School District in the state by Ranking Arizona (2025), and all district high schools earned an “A” rating from U.S. News & World Report. Freedom Traditional Academy ranked #13 overall out of 1,359 K-8 schools in Arizona. When looking at subject areas, Freedom moves even higher, ranking #4 statewide in math proficiency and #3 in English Language Arts proficiency. Fifteen of the top 16 elementary schools in Surprise and El Mirage are Dysart schools, and 15 Dysart schools scored in the top 25% statewide. Additionally, for the fourth consecutive year, Dysart was named the Best Public School District in the West Valley in the 2026 West Valley Favorites awards. Also notable is that Dysart High School became the fourth school in the district to be named an Arizona Purple Star School for their support of military-connected families.

Dysart remains dedicated to fiscal responsibility, earning the Arizona Association of School Business Officials (AASBO) Certificate of Excellence in Financial Reporting for 30 years in a row. Additionally, the district has earned the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) for 21 years in a row. Administrative costs in Dysart (8.5%) are lower than the state average (10.4%), and those of peer districts. Budget details are always available for the community to view at Dysart.org/Budget.

Together, Dysart seniors earned $47.3 million in college scholarships, and graduates also earned 872 Arizona State Seals of Personal Finance and Civics Literacy. Students earned recognition through College Board National Recognition awards, numerous scholarships, including QuestBridge, Dorrance, Dell and Gates, and national writing competitions. Shadow Ridge High School even had a National Merit Finalist.

Students continue to excel in the arts, and Dysart was named the Best Music School in the  2026 West Valley Favorites awards. Students earned 274 AZ State Seals of Arts Proficiency this year, the highest count we’ve seen. Two of the district’s high schools earned multiple top honors at the 2026 Oceanside Sound-Off! competition, including first-place finishes, a second-place finish, Best Musicianship, Best Showmanship, Best a Cappella, and Best Soloist awards. Students also received multiple Best Performer recognitions across several show choir divisions. There were also 23 students selected for AZ All State Show Choir between all four high schools. Shadow Ridge High School was also given the ranking Overall Superior from Arizona Thespians for their rendition of Diary of Anne Frank, and became the first district school selected to perform on the mainstage at their state conference.

In athletics, Dysart celebrated several state championships, including Valley Vista High School’s Girls Basketball and Unified Badminton, and Shadow Ridge High School’s Cheer Partner Stunt. Shadow Ridge Volleyball was selected to receive an AIA Sportsmanship Award, and numerous student-athletes received All-Region, and All-Conference titles. Twenty-seven student athletes were named AIA Players of the Year, seven coaches were named Coach of the Year, and a student was named to the AZ Cardinals Flag Football All-Star Team. 

As the largest employer in the cities of Surprise and El Mirage, Dysart employs more than 3,000 teachers and support staff. The District was named Best Place to Work in the West Valley Favorites competition the past two years, and has long been recognized for its employee wellness program. Dysart is the proud home to 67 employees who have earned the rigorous National Board certification. This year was also highlighted by staff members honored as Middle School Teacher of the Year by the Association for Career and Technical Education of Arizona, an Arizona Economic Education Teacher of the Year finalist, and seven Breakout Teacher Award Honorees by the City of Surprise.  Dysart Schools are always hiring, and openings are posted at Dysart.org/Careers.

Dysart Schools proudly serves the community with a top-rated education. The 2026-2027 school year begins on Thursday, August 6, and enrollment can be completed online at Dysart.org/Enroll.