Phoenix Relocation Guide

E D U C A T I O N I N A R I Z O N A

and parts of southern Yavapai County. The Valley of the Sun is home to Mesa Public Schools, the largest school district in the state. Serving the cities of Mesa, Tempe and

Chandler, the district serves some 64,000 students in traditional grades K-12, as well as alternative schools based on nontradi- tional curriculums.

In all, education is a priority in Phoenix and throughout the state – and it shows. The Arizona Department of Education announced that Arizona students exceeded national averages on Arizona’s Measure- ment of Education Readiness. This year’s performance of Arizona’s students marks a six-year upward trend. Arizona students scored well above average in Reading, Writing, Mathematics and Science. Addi- tionally, Arizona continue to rank above the national average on SAT scores. COMMITTED TO EDUCATION No matter where you’re moving – and whether you have children or not – educa- tion is an important consideration for anyone considering relocation. The quality of education in a community affects every- thing from resale value to the schools in your neighborhood. With the area’s tremendous growth over the last several years, school districts have increased accordingly to accom- modate more students, and the city has adopted several initiatives to foster educa- tional excellence. One is the city’s Youth and Education Commission, which, in partnership with the Human Relations Commission, offers grants to Phoenix schools through its Focus on Results grants initiative.

Enrollment Requirements PROOF OF RESIDENCY : Families must provide two proofs of residency to establish residence in a designated school attendance area, the district’s boundaries or the state. These can include:

• Motor vehicle registration • Utility bill • Property tax bill • Lease agreement • Tax return

• Bank account, paycheck, credit card bill, etc. • Employer letter on letterhead • Driver’s license or State ID • Rent or mortgage payment receipt

PROOF OF AGE : Arizona students must be five years old before September 1 of the current school year for kindergarten, and 6 years old before September 1 to enter first grade. Proof of age can include:

• A certified copy of the child’s birth certificate.

• Other reliable proof of the student’s identity and age (must include birth date), including the student’s baptismal certificate, passport, a stamped application for a Social Security number, I94 with Federal stamp stating refugee status, or original school registration records, and an affidavit explaining the inability to provide the birth certificate. IMMUNIZATION FORMS : Arizona state law requires school districts to show proof that every student through 12th grade has had immunizations, or is exempt from required immunization. Contact your school district for information on which immunizations they require.