EDUCATION T
hirteen schools encompass the Casa Grande Elementary School District, led by Superintendent Dr. JoEtta Gonzales. The district comprises three middle schools, nine elementary schools, and one preschool where students within the city of Casa Grande attend. Currently, there are about 6,000 students enrolled in the district. CGESD’s mission is “Success for Every One — The Responsibility is Yours and Mine,” which guides and focuses all that the district does. This has helped to bring about significant gains in academic achievement for students at all performance levels. During the summer of 2020, Gonzales was named the Arizona School Administrators’ Distinguished Superintendent for 2020. The title is given to active members of the ASA who are recognized by their peers for outstanding service to their profession and to the students and communities they serve. According to the district, it has increased investments in staff training, curriculum development and student assessment that have helped to produce substantial improvements in student learning.
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The district has been recognized in recent years with various awards and other honors, including the Raymond Sterling Kellis Leadership Award, Greater Casa Grande Chamber of Commerce Business Leadership Award, the Latino Esperanza Award, the Council of Administrators of Special Education’s Laura Ganoung Award, the Council of Exceptional Children’s Teacher and Administrator of the Year Award, four Rodel Exemplary Principal Awards, the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science and six Arizona A+ School and Program Awards. In fact, the Casa Grande Elementary School District has more A+ schools and more A+ programs than any other school district in Pinal County. The district has also been recognized by the Rodel Foundation for its success in improving academic achievement. The district’s performance-based employee compensation plan is recognized across the U.S. as a model. In addition to the core curriculum, the district also offers subjects like vocal and instrumental music, visual arts, drama, health, physical education, dance, Spanish, chess, mock trial, computer science and social emotional learning. CGESD offers after-school opportunities such as individual stringed instrument instruction, competitive sports, cheerleading, robotics, National Junior Honor Society and Student Council.
CITY OF CASA GRANDE · THINKCASAGRANDE.COM
