I am excited to give you an update and an opportunity to weigh in on our new PreK-8 school in the new Rocking K area located in the Rincon Valley. 

Rocking K is a master planned community located off of Old Spanish Trail in the Rincon Valley. The first phase of the development is underway with roughly 600 homes completed of what will eventually be 4,200 single family homes. A planning committee including parents, staff, and community members has been working since May of last year to identify key values to be expressed in the new school that will serve the Rocking K neighborhood and surrounding area. The group began working with an architect and contractor in July to put those ideas into detailed plans. The school is being master planned to accommodate roughly 1,000 students, however it will be built in two phases with the first phase designed to accommodate roughly 600 students. 

We are expecting to break ground on the new school in April of this year, with a targeted completion date of early summer of 2025 and open for students that July. 

Kate Robold, current Ocotillo Ridge principal, has been appointed to be the principal and lead the new school. I will be working with a committee of Ocotillo Ridge parents and staff to interview candidates for the principal position there. That committee will make a recommendation to the Vail Governing Board for consideration and approval likely before the end of this school year. 

Mrs. Robold will continue to serve as the principal at Ocotillo Ridge through the first semester of the 2024/2025 school year. Beginning in January of 2025, Mrs. Robold will transition full-time to the planning principal position for the new school. 

Here is the fun part where we would love your feedback! The planning committee is actively seeking input from our community to help name the new school. After collecting more than 80 name submissions, the committee has narrowed it down to a select few. Help them out by clicking HERE to let them know your favorite! The planning committee will be bringing a name and mascot recommendations to the Vail Governing Board for consideration later this spring. Click HERE to learn more about the new school.

In case you were unaware, Vail is more than a K-12 district. We are a PreK-12 district with some wonderful opportunities for our youngest learners. If you or someone you know is looking for preschool options for the 2024/2025 school year, here is all the information you need. Please feel free to reach out to our preschool Enrollment coordinator at preschool@vailschooldistrict.org if you have any questions.

At the awards ceremony for the UA Amazing High School Teacher of the Year earlier this month, Vail’s four of the nine finalists were honored. Congratulations to Tiffany Newton (Andrada), Kim Farr (Mica Mountain), Michelle Tozer (Empire), and Cristina Parks (Cienega). The ceremony concluded with the naming of Kim Farr as this year’s Teacher of the Year winner! Congratulations, Mrs. Farr!

Vail is so proud of these four outstanding educators! Way to represent!

Just before our spring break, Senita Valley Elementary held their official community-wide celebration for their recognition as one of only four schools in Arizona to receive the prestigious National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence Award.

Six Senita Valley students stood at the front of a packed multipurpose room and began the celebration by confidently singing the national anthem acapella. They were quickly joined by the rest of their fellow students as over 700 young voices from varied backgrounds and origins rose as one and tenderly sang the words to the Star Spangled Banner. It was a magical moment that didn’t leave many dry eyes and was a wonderful way to kick off a celebration. 

Congratulations to Senita Valley Elementary students, staff, parents, and community on a most worthy recognition!

Be sure to check out VAIL EVENTS for upcoming events if you would like to attend or share. Click on the link to find out more about Mica Mountain’s first annual Gala event, Week of the Young Child event, and more.