Superintendent Unveils Ambitious New School for All Grades on Single Campus

Maricopa Unified School District Superintendent Dr. Tracey Lopeman presented a comprehensive growth strategy during today’s State of the District meeting held on January 16, 2025. Her plan targets the rapid population increase in Maricopa, emphasizing the urgent need for new educational facilities.

Enrollment figures illustrate this necessity. Since 2018, student numbers have surged from 6,691 to 9,954, reflecting a significant 33% increase. This growth is straining current classroom capacities within the district.

Currently, Maricopa is operating at just 7½% of its capacity, prompting district leaders to plan additional schools. Following a narrow approval of a $70 million bond in November, details emerged regarding a new institution that will replace Desert Sunrise High School as the newest campus in the district.

“Our construction plans have continued uninhibited,” Dr. Lopeman stated during a post-address interview. The new school is set to be built in the Sorrento neighborhood, with groundbreaking anticipated in May or June.

Slated to open for the 2026 school year, this facility will cater specifically to kindergarten through eighth-grade students, encompassing ages 5 to 14. “While other K-8 options exist in Maricopa, MUSD currently lacks one. This is attractive for families and provides a seamless educational pathway to high school,” she noted.

Additionally, Desert Sunrise High School is on track to celebrate its inaugural graduating class this year, consisting of 255 seniors. The campus is simultaneously expanding its agricultural program, with a new $400,000 facility featuring animal pens and a modern greenhouse expected to open soon.

These developments form part of what Dr. Lopeman has labeled a “blueprint for Maricopa’s future.”

“Our future relies on a well-prepared workforce that will drive innovation, sustainability, and economic growth,” she concluded, painting a hopeful vision for the district and its community.