Glendale Union High School District 
Evidence of Excellence

Academic Achievement: All students in our comprehensive high schools are held to the same high standards.

College Entrance Exams: GUHSD students consistently score above state and national averages in standardized testing for college entrance (ACT, SAT).

Low Dropout Rate: GUHSD’s dropout rate of 1.66% is among the lowest in the state and nation. The state dropout rate is 3.3%

Academic Emphasis: High academic achievement is a top priority.

Students have the opportunity to earn the Advanced Placement International Diploma (APID), which is a globally recognized award for students interested in pursuing university study outside of their native country.

Environment for Learning: Improvements to existing schools, new furniture, buses and technology for campuses and renovations to support facilities were completed with the passage of a $130 million bond authorization approved by voters in 2020.

Parent and Community Involvement: Community input is valued through school councils and citizens committees, which are comprised of parents, students, community members, staff and administration. GUHSD annual parent satisfaction rate, which is measured through a third-party research firm, is 90%. (2018-2019 school year)
 

National and State Recognition:

• 70 percent of GUHSD graduates enroll in postsecondary education options. (Class of 2020)
• The class of 2024 earned more than $109 million in scholarships.
• GUHSD has a graduation rate of 85%. (Class of 2023)
• Students earned approximately 9,831 college credits through dual enrollment programs. (Class of 2023)
• Nationally and internationally recognized academics
• Championship athletics and extracurricular activities
• Exemplary Career & Technical Education options
• Award-winning fine and performing arts
• State-of-the-art online learning opportunities
• America’s Best High Schools U.S. News & World Report, 2007-2024
• “A” Rated Schools AZ Dept. of Education, 2023
• Beat the Odds Gold Schools, 2014
• A+ School, Washington High School, 2014, 2023 - Cortez High School, 2024
• National Advanced Placement District of the Year, 2013
• Top “A” Rated District AZ Dept. of Education, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016
• Blue Ribbon School, Greenway High School, 1994-1996

Additional Achievements and Accolades:

• Silver Apple Award, 2007, 2011, 2020, 2021, 2024
• The University of Chicago Outstanding Educator Award, 2021
• Phoenix West Rotary Club Exceptional Educator Award, 2021
• NFHS Coach of the Year, 2019, 2021
• Gatorade Arizona Player of the Year, 1986, 1988, 1996-97, 2001-02, 2010, 2014, 2021
• AIA's Coach of the Year Award, 2021
• AzCASE Early Career Special Education Administrator Award, 2021
• Arizona Republic's Boys Basketball Coach of the Year, 2021
• Veterans of Foreign War, Arizona District 3, Teacher of the Year Competition, 2021
• Glendale Community College Sports Hall of Fame, 2020
• AIA Student of the Year, 2020
• Arizona Association of Student Councils (AASC) Advisor of the Year, 2009, 2016, 2021
• USA Track and Field President's Award, 2019
• Musial Award Honoree, 2009, 2019
• DECA Administrator of the Year, 2019
• Arizona Association of Student Council Administrator of the Year, 2019
• O.M. Hartsell Excellence in Teaching Music Award by the Arizona Music Educators Association (AMEA), 2004, 2019
• National Federation of State High School Associations Sectional Coach of the Year, 2019
• Phoenix Fire Department Paramedic of the Year, 2018
• Arizona Coaches Hall of Fame Induction, 1984-85, 1999-01, 2012-13, 2018-20, 2022, 2024
• Certified Master Athletic Administrator by the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association, 2018, 2024
•  NRAEF ProStart National Educator of Excellence Recipient, 2018
•  Future Business Leaders of America New Adviser of the Year, 2018
•  The Kathy Lindholm Lane Arizona Dance Educator of the Year, 2010, 2016, 2018
•  Arizona DECA Arizona Marketing Teacher of the Year, 2018 (no record of)
•  Arizona Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association, Arizona Citation Award, 2017
•  School Nurses Organization of Arizona, School Nurse Administrator of the Year, 2017
• Arizona Thespian Administrator of the Year, 2011, 2014, 2017, 2019
• AzCEC Samuel Kirk Teacher of the Year Award, 2016, 2021
• Family and Consumer Sciences Teacher of the Year, 2016, 2019
• Arizona Business Education Association Administrator of the Year, 2016
• Follett School Librarian of the Year by the Arizona Library Association, 2016
• ACE Outstanding New Choral Music Educator of the Year, 2017
• George C. Wilson Leadership and Service Award by the Arizona Music Educators Association, 2006, 2017, 2020
• Outstanding Teacher Leader of the Year for the State of Arizona, 2016
• Arizona FCCLA Administrator of the Year, 2016-17
• Arizona Athletic Trainers Association Athletic Trainer of the Year, 2015-2016
• Arizona Ambassador Teacher of Excellence, Arizona Education Foundation, 1995, 2014, 2018, 2018-19, 2021-23
• North Administrator of the Year, Arizona State Thespians Conference, 2014
• James Madison Memorial Fellowship, 2014
• Regional CTE Administrator of the Year, 2013, 2014
• Arizona Spotlight Award Winner, Expect More Arizona 2013
• Advanced Placement Honor Roll District, 2013, 2015
• Matt O. Hanhila Inspirational Educator Award, 1996, 2002, 2007, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2018, 2023
• Athletics Director Inducted into AIA AAA Hall of Fame, 2010-2011
• Outstanding Administrator of the Year for the Continuing Support of School Nurses, 2009
• ASA Distinguished Administrator Award, Superintendents Division, 2009-2010
• Arizona Assistant Principal of the Year, 2005
• Arizona CTE New Teacher of the Year, 2005
• Arizona CTE Administrator of the Year, 2004
• Bernard Stewart Distinguished Service Awarded to Superintendent, 2002, 2004
• ASPRA Superintendent of the Year, 2003
• ASA Distinguished Administrator Award, Principal, 1999
• National Interscholastic AAA Outstanding Service Award, 1999
• WESTMARC Best of the WEST award, 1995-96, 1998, 2004
• Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting, 1993-2023
• RJR Nabisco Next Century Schools award, 1992-1995, 2004
• Arizona Teacher of the Year, Arizona Education Foundation, 1986, 2011 
• All Arizona Superintendent of the Year for a Large Size School District, 2022
• Special Olympics Coach of the Year, 2023
• Arizona Interscholastic Association Administrator of the Year, 2024
• Transportation Professional of the Year, Transportation Administrators of Arizona, 2024