East Valley students start heading back to class for 2026-27 school year

East Valley students are trading the heat for the hallways this week as the 2026-27 school year gets underway.

Chandler Unified kicks off Wednesday, with nearby Kyrene, Higley Unified, Tempe Elementary and Queen Creek school districts following next week.

Other districts, including Mesa, Scottsdale, Phoenix Union, Phoenix Elementary, Peoria and Deer Valley, are set to begin in the first week of August.

Chandler Unified School District is entering the new year with a new superintendent, Dr. Anna Battle, and a renewed focus on student achievement.

“The focus this year is creating the environment to close the achievement gap,” district spokesperson Stephanie Ingersoll said. “You’re going to hear a lot of our staff and administrators talking and focusing through data on that.”

Ingersoll also recognized former Superintendent Frank Narducci for his 40 years in public education, including 30 with Chandler Unified.

The Chandler Police Department has launched its Back-to-School Traffic Safety Campaign, which includes extra traffic enforcement through the end of July to help keep students safe.

In a social media video, Chandler police Sgt. Alnas said everyone on the road shares responsibility for protecting kids during their commutes.

“School zones are busy and unpredictable, so it’s important to obey the rules of the road. That means slowing down, phones down, watching for pedestrians and bicyclists and following crossing guard directions,” he said. “Together, we can make this a successful start to the school year for all of Chandler.”

Officers will focus on speeding or distracted drivers as well as school bus stop violations.

Funding for this journalism is made possible by the Arizona Local News Foundation.

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