November 2025 - Parent Update

This November, we’re feeling extra thankful for you our incredible parents, guardians, and DVUSD community! As we enter the season of gratitude, we want to thank you for your continued partnership in supporting the success of our students, schools, and district community. In this month’s update, you’ll find highlights of recent accomplishments, important district news, and key dates to mark on your calendar.

Deer Valley is proud to announce that DVUSD is once again an "A" rated district with a district-best 27 "A" rated schools, based on 2024-25 accountability!

With our 27 "A" schools and 10 "B" schools, 93% of DVUSD schools are rated "A" or "B". Thank you to all of our students, teachers, staff, and community supporters for helping us reach this achievement.

DVUSD Superintendent Dr. Curtis Finch has a message for the DVUSD students, staff, and community following the 2025 election and passage of the DVUSD Override.

Congratulations to the Mountain Ridge Pride of the West marching band on winning the Division 5A Arizona Marching Band Association (AzMBA) competition this past weekend, and congratulations to the O'Connor marching band on placing 4th in the same division competition.

The Mountain Ridge High School Pride of the West Marching Band was honored to be named the 2025 AzMBA 5A State Champions for the fourth consecutive year. This achievement is a true testament to the commitment, dedication, and resilience of every member of the Pride of the West ensemble. From the leadership and guidance of the upperclassmen to the enthusiasm and excitement of the underclassmen, each student played an integral role in the program’s continued success. This year’s field production, “The Summit,” is both musically and visually impactful, and it the students have shared this story with audiences across the state throughout the season.

Mountain Ridge High School is deeply grateful for the tremendous support it received from its site and district administration, as well as from its parents and volunteers. Success in this activity is built through community, and we are fortunate to have such a strong foundation of support that allows our students to achieve truly remarkable things.

The Ridge, O'Connor, and Barry Goldwater marching bands will compete in the Arizona Band and Orchestra Directors Association (ABODA) state championships Saturday, Nov. 15, at Glendale Community College. Learn more about that event, including how to purchase tickets, at DVUSD.org/aboda

Check out upcoming DVUSD Fine Arts Events at dvusd.org/arts !

If your child will be 5 years old by August 31, 2026, start his or her extraordinary educational journey with DVUSD kindergarten. Learn more, or sign up today, at DVUSD.org/kindergarten. Future Kindergarten parents and students are invited to attend an event at any of DVUSD's K-6 and K-8 schools Nov. 12-13 for Kindergarten Preview Night!

School staff will be available on all campuses to answer questions and help you register your student for this next exciting chapter in their educational journey! If you have a student ready to start Kindergarten next fall, check out the events at dvusd.org/kindergarten. You can find additional information about DVUSD’s #Extraordinary Kindergarten program and details about how to register a student at www.dvusd.org/Kindergarten.

Many DVUSD schools held celebrations honoring the veterans in their communities. Check out Fox10's feature of Diamond Canyon School's Celebration!

For those who served, DVUSD honors you! Thank you veterans, for your courage and sacrifice. While we have many veterans throughout our communities, we wanted to take a moment to give a special thank you to our incredible DVUSD staff members who not only continue to serve our students each day, but also served our country!

Any family living in Arizona who would like to attend a school that is outside their home school boundaries may apply for Open Enrollment into a DVUSD school. Please view the School Boundary Maps to determine the school you are applying for is not currently your home school.

Applications will be reviewed starting in January and approved if the school has availability.

Open Enrollment applications are accepted throughout the year for current year Open Enrollment.

Approval of Open Enrollment is based on school, grade level and program capacity. Using current enrollment, the District determines each school’s student enrollment, projected growth, and available space.

Families will be notified by email if the completed application has been approved, denied, or placed on a wait list. Upon an approved email notification, you must register online to the approved school no later than 10 days after the notification of the approval, or the student forfeits the approved Open Enrollment and will need to reapply.

Per Governing Board Policy JFB, students currently enrolled, children of employees, and siblings of students who are currently enrolled will receive priority.

If there is no capacity, the application will be wait listed. If capacity permits at a later time, applications that have been wait listed will be approved and the parent/guardian will be notified of the acceptance decision.

Applications will not be considered if they are incomplete.

False information submitted on the application will be considered a breach of the agreement and the open enrollment will be revoked.

Class of 2030 students as well as their families are invited to attend Future Freshman Night to learn about each school's programs, tour the campuses, and meet administration and faculty. Dates are listed chronologically. Contact the school for more information.

Please note, events for Barry Goldwater and Sandra Day O'Connor High Schools took place earlier in November. If you miss your school's event, contact the school directly for a tour!

Boulder Creek High School

November 10, 2025
6 p.m. Presentation in gym followed by an open house until 7:30 p.m.

Aspire- Deer Valley's Online Academy

November 12, 2025

3:30 -5:00 p.m. Presentation and explore content area info

Deer Valley High School

November 12, 2025
6 - 7:30 p.m. Presentation in auditorium

Mountain Ridge High School

November 20, 2025

5:00pm Presentation at the football field, followed by campus open house until 6:30.

Many DVUSD athletics programs are making playoff runs! Catch all the action in the sand, on the field, and on the court by checking the calendar through the AIA!

The K-5 English Language Arts (ELA) Curriculum Adoption Committee is currently seeking dedicated new members. The committee's primary objective is to evaluate and recommend a new resource for adoption that will effectively support K-5 students and teachers in their efforts to meet or exceed grade-level proficiency targets in ELA. The resource adopted by this committee is slated for implementation in the 2026-2027 school year. Parents and Community Members are welcome to join! For more information please click here.

It's not too late to sign your student(s) up for Thanksgiving or Winter Break Camp through DVUSD's Community Education programs!

If you're looking for an affordable and fun camp for your K-8 child, scan the QR code or visit DVUSD.org/schoolbreakcamps for more information on DVUSD Community Education's Thanksgiving break camp at Las Brisas Elementary School.

See the details on these camps on the flyers below and sign your student(s) up today! Registration for Thanksgiving camp ends tonight, Nov. 10, and Winter Camp registration is available at 11:59 p.m. tonight, Nov. 10- Dec. 8!

Dr. Finch sits down with three new DVUSD principals who are not new to the Deer Valley district! Get to know Sunrise Elementary principal, Michelle Martelli, Esperanza Elementary principal, Amber Landis, and Manager of Aspire, Chelsey Laningham.