A Look Back at 2025: Celebrating a Year of Achievement Across CUSD

While a school year in the East Valley may run from July to May, Chandler Unified School District experienced remarkable moments throughout the entire 2025 calendar year. From student achievements and innovative programs to community partnerships and national recognition, here’s a month-by-month look at highlights from January through December.

January

• CUSD hosted a Community Connection Event, bringing school and community resources together in one convenient location for families.

• The district welcomed two new members to the CUSD Governing Board.

• Perry High School was named to ESPN’s Top 25 High School Boys’ Basketball Rankings.

February

• Arizona College Prep Middle School was named one of five inaugural Arizona Schools to Watch by the Arizona Association for Middle Level Education.

• A Perry High School Sports Medicine student saved a man’s life at a golf course using skills learned through CTE coursework—a story that gained national attention.

• The excellence of CUSD schools and programs was highlighted during the 2025 Chandler State of the City address.

March

• The first-ever “Caps and Crayons” event connected Casteel High School seniors with kindergartners from Auxier Elementary, Riggs Elementary, and CTA Freedom, inspiring the future Class of 2037.

• CUSD partnered with the Arizona Lions Vision and Hearing Foundation to provide free eye exams and glasses for students.

• CUSD and the University of Arizona celebrated Arizona’s—and the nation’s—first high school cybersecurity clinic.

April

• 60% of Arizona’s projects advancing to the International Science and Engineering Fair came from CUSD.

• Nearly 200 students participated in the first-ever Elementary Wellness Day.

• Several CUSD team members were honored with 2025 Chandler Chamber of Commerce Community Awards:

  • Support Staff of the Year: Debbie Kowalski, Rice Elementary

  • Educator of the Year: Denise Browne, Bogle Junior High

  • Administrator of the Year: Lisa Shore, Conley Elementary

May

• CTA Freedom Elementary, Hancock Elementary, and Bogle Junior High were named 2025 A+ Schools of Excellence.

• The Chandler Education Foundation awarded a record 239 scholarships totaling $335,200 to the Class of 2025.

• The inaugural CUSD RISE cohort graduated, supporting career-changers on the path to becoming educators.

• CUSD was named the #1 Public School District in Arizona by Ranking Arizona for 2025.

• Basha AMS earned national Academic Pentathlon titles for grades 6, 7, and 8.

• Two of Arizona’s five 2025 Stamps Scholars were CUSD students.

July

• CUSD launched its standalone Semiconductor Manufacturing CTE program, one of the first in the nation, with more than 50 students enrolled.

• New Infinite Campus features debuted for families, including Digital Hall Pass and 24/7 Attendance.

• CUSD was featured in a Microsoft case study highlighting cybersecurity learning through Minecraft.

August

• CUSD was recognized as Arizona’s #1 district for the Kids Heart Challenge.

• Angelic Abbey, CUSD teacher, was named a Top 10 finalist for AEF Teacher of the Year.

• The Hope Institute of CUSD celebrated its 2-year anniversary, continuing to provide critical suicide prevention and outpatient mental health support.

September

• Three Team CUSD members were recognized by the Arizona Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association:

  • Shawn Rustad, inducted into the AIAA Hall of Fame

  • Kim Vollaro, Admin Assistant of the Year

  • Anuj Iyer, Student Essay Award recipient

• CUSD launched the MIC Capstone course, providing real-world career experience for CTE completers.

• More than 112 colleges and universities participated in the second annual Districtwide College Fair.

October

• CUSD was named one of Forbes’ Top 10 Best Local Companies to Work for in Arizona.

• The CUSD Podcast launched on YouTube.

• Food & Nutrition earned two Healthy Meal Incentive Awards for innovation.

• 83 CUSD students were named National Merit Semifinalists.

• The Chandler CARE Center celebrated its 30th anniversary.

• Learning space remodels continued at Shumway Leadership Academy, Navarrete Elementary, and Bologna Elementary.

• CUSD was once again rated an “A” district by the Arizona Department of Education, with more A-rated schools than ever before.

• Search launched for the next CUSD superintendent.

November

• The outcome of the 2025 Bond and Override Election still appears to be in CUSD’s favor. This was the first time ever CUSD had both measures on the ballot at the same time.

• Hundreds attended the 2nd annual CUSD School Choice Fair.

• Perry High School Boys Beach Volleyball captured the inaugural state championship.

• CUSD Food & Nutrition hosted free weekend meals for students during the SNAP benefits pause.

• Antonette Shirley was named Johnson O’Malley Exemplary Educator of the Year, and CUSD earned Runner-Up Exemplary Program of the Year.

December

• CUSD Counseling hosted its first-ever Prevention Resource Fair for school leaders.

• Casteel High School won the 6A State Football Championship, while Basha High School claimed the Open Division title.

• Hamilton High School Girls Flag Football finished the season ranked #1 in the nation and earned its second consecutive state championship.

• Stephanie Howell, Director of Nutrition, received the Aramark Eagle Award for District Manager of the Year.

• CTA Independence was recognized by ADE as one of the top two schools in Arizona for English Learner proficiency growth.