Kids aren’t the only ones waiting for report cards at Arizona schools. The state yesterday issued report cards for the schools themselves, and Maricopa is home to three of the state’s best.

Pima Butte Elementary, Heritage Academy Maricopa and Legacy Traditional Schools’ campus in the city all earned A grades, while several others saw marked improvement.

Maricopa Unified School District received a B in Arizona’s newly released letter grades, with campuses posting a mix of gains and drops compared with FY24, according to a district news release this morning.

Arizona’s A-through-F system is the statewide accountability model blending multiple measures of performance. The state looks at year-to-year student growth, proficiency on statewide tests such as the ACT, English-learner progress, readiness indicators and high school graduation rates. The Arizona Department of Education calculates final grades using data submitted by schools each year. Grades are released annually by Nov. 1, and schools can appeal.

Here’s how Maricopa’s public schools fared

• Pima Butte Elementary: A (second in three years)

• Maricopa Elementary: D two years ago, now a B

• Santa Cruz Elementary: Fell from an A to a B

• Santa Rosa Elementary, Desert Sunrise High School, Maricopa High School: All earned B’s

• Desert Wind Middle School: Rose from a D to a C

• Butterfield Elementary: Dropped from an A to a C

• Saddleback Elementary, Maricopa Wells Middle School, Maricopa Virtual Academy: All received C’s

“Letter grades offer a valuable snapshot of our progress, but they don’t fully capture the heart of MUSD,” Superintendent Dr. Tracey Lopeman said in a statement. “Our wonderful students and teachers, along with the partnership of our parents, define the spirit of our district. I am proud of the progress we’ve made and grateful for the teamwork that fuels what is next.”

Legacy Traditional Schools Superintendent Mia Vega added: “We are excited that Legacy students, teachers and staff members have continued to excel with each of our public schools receiving a strong grade from the Arizona Department of Education.”

Maricopa’s Heritage Academy jumped from a B last year to an A. Meanwhile, Leading Edge Academy in Maricopa earned a B, dropping from an A. A+ Charter Schools was also graded B, unchanged from last year.

Sequoia Pathway Academy, under Financial Intervention by the Arizona State Board for Charter Schools after audits found deficit spending and compliance violations, earned a C grade for the second consecutive year.

Mobile Elementary School, 8 miles west of Maricopa on State Route 238, received a D. Stanfield Elementary School, 8 miles south of Maricopa on State Route 347, earned a B.

Editor’s note: This story has been updated. A previous version failed to include Heritage Academy Maricopa’s A grade.