The Catalina Foothills Unified School District #16 (often referred to as the Catalina Foothills School District, CFSD or District 16) is the PreK-12 school district for the Catalina Foothills area of Tucson, Arizona. Established in 1931, it has eight schools: one high school (9-12), two middle schools (6-8), four elementary schools (K-5) and one early learning center (PreK). The district educates over 5000 students who live throughout the greater Tucson metro area. Denise Bartlett, Ed.D., has served as superintendent since 2024.
CFSD's strategic plan outlines its ongoing commitment to prepare students well for a 21st-century life that is increasingly complex and global. In the plan, the district details how it creates a learning environment in which each student achieves academic and personal excellence.
According to the most recent report from the Arizona Auditor General for fiscal year 2023, Catalina Foothills School District (CFSD) demonstrates notable fiscal responsibility and strong academic outcomes. The district-wide attendance rate is 95%, and the high school graduation rate stands at 94%. Additionally, 94% of Catalina Foothills High School graduates proceed to college, maintaining a high level of post-secondary readiness.
CFSD has a student-teacher ratio of 17.8 students per teacher, which is slightly below the state average, providing a conducive learning environment. The average teaching experience within the district is 11.3 years, reflecting a seasoned and experienced faculty.
In terms of fiscal efficiency, CFSD allocates 60.5 cents of every dollar towards instruction or instructional support, underscoring the district's commitment to prioritizing educational spending. This allocation is above the state average, highlighting the district's effective use of resources to enhance instructional quality and support.
The history of the Catalina Foothills School District (CFSD) dates back to 1931. The district started modestly, with nine students and a single teacher meeting in a garage. This small beginning marked the start of what would become a significant educational institution in Tucson, Arizona.
In 1939, John Murphey, a local developer, sold 2.2 acres of land on River Road to the district for a nominal fee of ten dollars. This transaction came with the condition that the land be used specifically for a public school. During that summer, a two-room schoolhouse was designed by Joseph T. Joesler and constructed with the assistance of the Works Progress Administration (WPA). Originally called the River Road School, this building now serves as the Murphey Administration Center.
In 1993, the district went before the U.S. Supreme Court to argue that it did not have to provide an American Sign Language interpreter to a deaf student who transferred to a private, parochial school Salpointe Catholic High School. The district argued that, while the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act would normally require such services if the student attended public school, providing it for religious instruction would be unconstitutional. In Zobrest v. Catalina Foothills School District, the court found "that the Establishment Clause does not bar the school district from providing the requested interpreter." but also did not rule that the district is required to provide an interpreter.[1]
Over the years, CFSD has grown significantly. From its humble beginnings, the district now encompasses eight schools and serves more than 5,400 students from PreK through 12th grade. The district has established a reputation for providing high-quality education and a variety of comprehensive programs that cater to the diverse needs of its student population.
According to the Arizona Department of Education (ADE), the Catalina Foothills School District has consistently been recognized for its outstanding academic performance. CFSD has been designated as a top-performing "A" school district, a recognition it has maintained for multiple years. Prior to this, the district was ranked as an "Excelling" district for eight consecutive years.
CFSD students consistently perform above state and national averages on standardized tests such as AASA (Arizona’s Academic Standards Assessment), AzSCI, and the ACT. In 2023, the percent passing for All Students for English Language Arts is 70% which reflects a 3% increase as compared to 2022 and a 7% increase as compared to 2021. The percent passing for all students in Math in 2022 and 2023 is 58%, a 3% increase compared to 2021. The overall statewide percent passing for grades 6, 7, and 8 in Math is 31%, 30%, and 27%, respectively. By comparison, the CFSD percent passing in grades 6, 7, and 8 exceeds the statewide passing rates by 27%, 28%, and 21% respectively (source: Arizona Department of Education, CFSD Assessment Program Summary Report for 2022-2023). In Spring 2023, CFSD's overall passing rate on the AzSCI reflects an increase of 7% as compared to 2022 and is more than double the 2023 passing rate statewide. The Class of 2024 had ACT scores that were 11% above the national average and 20% above the state average.
For more detailed information, you can visit the CFSD testing information page.
The Catalina Foothills School District (CFSD) provides comprehensive and rigorous academic programs that are recognized nationally for preparing students well for postsecondary education. From early childhood through high school graduation, CFSD's wide array of programs and learning experiences equip every student with the necessary knowledge and skills to meet the challenges and opportunities in a global society.
While academics are at the core of a comprehensive education, CFSD also embraces the obligation to graduate students who are self-directed and have the skill set for lifelong learning. This set of skills include the capacity to see problems in new ways, think critically, design innovative solutions, and collaborate and communicate in diverse settings. These skills enable CFSD students to engage in deeper learning; that is, to go beyond the mastery of content knowledge to applying what is learned and transferring it to new situations or contexts. CFSD is committed to fully engaging students in their learning and evaluating program results to ensure they move on from their PreK-12 education confident that they are well prepared to flourish in future studies, careers, and in life.
CFSD has four elementary schools: Canyon View, Manzanita, Sunrise Drive, and Ventana Vista, all of which offer a variety of educational experiences for students. Sunrise Drive offers a dual language Chinese immersion program and Spanish immersion is offered at Ventana Vista. At each school, students engage in a challenging curriculum that fosters a love of learning. Students continue their education through the middle school years with a rigorous and comprehensive program at Esperero Canyon or Orange Grove. Students are equipped with the necessary strategies and tools that prepare them for success in high school. At the high school, students are given more flexibility to customize their schedule based on their interests and passions, graduation requirements, and postsecondary endeavors. Students are offered over 150 rigorous college preparatory courses, including 23 Advanced Placement (AP) courses; an array of electives; 10 Career and Technical Education programs; robust arts programs; and an extensive roster of athletics, clubs, and activities. At all levels, students are challenged to think critically and engage deeply with the content under study. The achievements of CFSD students demonstrate a long-standing pattern of excellence.
CFSD is known for its high academic standards and diverse programs:
US News & World Report: All CFSD K-12 schools rank among US News & World Report's Best Schools.
Niche Rankings: The district and all schools earned an A grade.
Best Communities for Music Education Award: CFSD recognized.
National Board Certification: 12 CFSD teachers hold this rigorous qualification.
Arizona's Counselor of the Year: Esperero Canyon Middle School counselor awarded.
Seal of Biliteracy: 51 seniors earned the Arizona Seal of Biliteracy on their diplomas. The seals represented 7 different languages, including Spanish, French, German, and Mandarin.
Flinn Scholars: Two CFHS students named for the top scholarship in the state of Arizona.
National Merit Scholarship Finalists: Two CFHS seniors named.
Navy ROTC Scholarship: CFHS senior awarded.
KEYS Research Internship: Three CFHS students selected.
Tucson Values Teachers' (TVT) Award: Maura Baker, MZES Gifted Specialist honored.
AMEA Regional Honor Choir: Twenty-four CFHS students selected.
AMEA Regional Honor Band and Orchestra: Sixty-eight band students selected.
Junior Olympics: Three CFHS students invited to compete.
Congressional Art Show: CFHS art student placed first.
Southern Arizona Festival of Theatre: CFHS Advanced Theatre students received multiple awards.
Arizona All-State Choir: Five CFHS students participated.
NCAA National Signing Day 2024: Thirteen CFHS student athletes signed letters of intent.
CFHS Yearbook: Selected for national feature.
Monte Awards: CFHS senior won Best Actor.
Arizona Regional Science & Engineering Fair (SARSEF): Multiple CFSD students placed well.
Outstanding Emerging High School Artist Award: CFHS art student chosen as one of five winners.
Aline Goodman Young Artist Award: OGMS student won 1st place.
FCCLA Competition: CFHS senior in Early Childhood Education program won Gold Medal.
Chinese Language Speech Contest: Eleven Sunrise Drive students placed.
Hispanic Heritage Foundation Youth Awards: Three CFHS seniors chosen.
State Robotics Championship: CFHS team Pioneer 327 won the MOTIVATE Award.
Shakespeare Competition: Two CFHS Intermediate Theatre Arts students selected as finalists.
Western Spirit Museum Exhibit: Three CFHS art students selected.
DECA State Competition: Ten CFHS students competed; five advancing to International Center Development Conference.
ABODA Area Concert Festival: CFHS orchestras performed well; ECMS band also performed well.
Falcon Yearbook Award: 2023 CFHS Falcon Yearbook received 1st Place from Arizona Scholastic Association.
Teacher of the Year Finalists: CFSD Foundation announced five finalists for 2024.
Science Olympiad Invitational Tournament: CFHS placed first.
FIRST LEGO League State Championship: CFSD teams had a strong showing.
STARTALK Chinese Language Program: Five students admitted.
Science Olympiad: Orange Grove's "The Atoms" team scored first place overall.
FTC AZ Diamondback Tucson Qualifier: CFHS Pioneer Robotics earned two awards.
Arizona Department of Education: All CFSD K-12 schools graded "A."
National Blue Ribbon Award: Sunrise Drive named among the best schools in the United States.
US News & World Report: All CFSD K-12 schools rank among US News & World Report's Best Schools.
Niche Rankings: The district and all schools earned an A grade.
National Merit Recognition: 3 Semifinalists and 7 Commended Students named.
College Board Recognition: 14 CFHS seniors are National Recognition Program Scholars.
Regional Fall Choral Festival: CFHS choirs earned Superior with Distinction.
ABODA Fall Orchestra Festival: Sinfonia earned Excellent with Recognition; Symphonic Strings earned Superior with Distinction.
Bands of America Festival: CFHS Falcon Marching Band placed 8th overall, 2nd among Arizona bands.
Arizona State Thespian Festival: CFHS Advanced Theatre students won 2nd place in tech challenge.
FIRST Lego League "Masterpiece" Season: Eight CFSD robotics teams competed; some advancing to state tournament.
U of A 2023 Young Women of Impact: CFSD student recognized.
Apple Developer Lab: CFHS senior admitted.
Melikian Center Award: CFHS sophomore received the award.
Monte Awards: 3 CFHS semi-finalists named.
Tucson Mini-Master LEGO Building Competition: "Brick Bros" team won first place.
All-State Choir Festival: CFHS student selected as the sole performer in the Tier III honors recital.
Computer Programming National Competition: Two CFHS students qualified.
ABODA Area Festival: CFHS Sinfonia Orchestra earned Superior with Distinction.
Arizona Percussive Arts Society Festival: CFHS senior performed.
Pima County Library Art Invitational: CFHS photography student won Special Recognition.
SARSEF: Multiple CFSD students and projects won awards.
Aline Goodman Young Artist Award: Sunrise Drive 5th grader among winners.
Arizona Music Educators High School Regional Festival: CFHS singers held 1st chair positions.
Mt. View Winterguard Invitational: CFHS Colorguard took 1st place.
ABODA Concert Band Festival: Three CFHS concert bands received Superior with Distinction.
FIRST Tech Challenge State Championship: Pioneer 327 won three judged awards.
O.M. Hartsell Award: CFHS Assistant Director of Bands recognized.
Governor's Art Contest: Two CFSD students named runners-up.
Since 1996, Catalina Foothills High School (CFHS) has achieved numerous state championships across various sports and activities, highlighting the school's athletic and academic prowess. Here are some of the key championships:
National Merit Scholars, AP Scholars, Pima County Spelling Bee Champion, FIRST LEGO League (also won Mentor and Research Awards at Worlds and second place at North American Open), Speech and Debate, Science Olympiad, CIAU Chinese Immersion student trophies, Young Author's Competition, Southern AZ Thespian Festival, Model UN, Southern Arizona Research Science & Engineering Foundation (SARSEF), State History Day, Future Farmers of America (FFA), FIRST Tech Challenge Robotics and VEX Robotics.
Valley View Early Learning Center
All Valley View Early Learning Center teachers are certified teachers, which is unique for a preschool. The school fosters an inquiry-based approach to learning, with developmental areas include dramatic play, sensory activities, art, literacy, science, math, socio-emotional activities, and systems thinking. VVELC offers a PreK Spanish and Mandarin immersion program. Beginning in 2016–2017, VVELC will add one Chinese Immersion classroom. There is a summer program for children ages 2 1⁄2 - 5.
All CFSD elementary schools offer music, visual arts, Spanish (K-5), and physical education taught by highly qualified, certified teachers. Every classroom is a technology-enhanced classroom, with access to laptops (2:1 ratio), iPads, iPods, digital cameras, student response systems, Gmail, and Google academic accounts. Each school has specialists in gifted education, counseling and special education. Extended math and reading services are available for all grades. From grades 2–5, all students participate in robotics classes as part of their educational program. There is a before and after school CARE program at each campus, along with dozens of extracurricular offerings through CFSD Community Schools.
The CFSD middle school curriculum includes English Language Arts, Math, Social Studies, Science, Health & PE, World Languages learning (Spanish at Esperero, Spanish and Mandarin at Orange Grove), performing arts, and visual arts. Each school has specialists in gifted education, counseling and special education. Every classroom is a technology-enhanced classroom, with access to laptops (2:1 ratio), iPads, iPods, digital cameras, student response systems, Gmail, and Google academic accounts. Math classes are offered at grade level and above grade level to serve differentiated student needs.
AtCatalina Foothills High School (also known as Foothills), students are encouraged to take the highest-level courses that are appropriate for them. The high school offers 23 AP courses and an extensive array of honors classes. Career and Technical Education is composed of ten program areas:
Language offerings include Spanish and Chinese. Through a four-year program in engineering, Project Lead the Way, students can earn college credit at the University of Arizona. With about 250 members, the school boasts the largest high school marching band in Arizona.[2]
The boundaries of CFSD are: East side of First Avenue from Ina Road south to 5600 block (westward extension of Sunrise Drive); 5600 block east to a northern extension of Campbell Avenue from the intersection of Campbell Avenue and River Road; south to River Road; River Road (1900 block) east to the east edge of John W. Murphey Administration Center (2101 East River); north to 4800 block (westward extension of Snyder Road); east to 8700 block (northern extension of Camino Seco); north to Coronado National Forest; west along the south boundary of the forest; north along the west boundary of the forest to Ina Road extended east.[3]
Catalina Foothills School District has appeared in these recent news stories:
Catalina Foothills School District Returns to the Classroom
Gov. Hobbs Puts Out Survey Aiming to Keep Teachers in the Classroom
Foothills Grad Pursues Journalism
Schools Prepare for Back to School Illness
CFHS Welcomes Freshman Students
CFSD Alumni Come Back as Teachers
Students at Ventana Vista Learn Various Subjects in Spanish
CFHS Sports Medicine Program Helping Students’ Future
Thousands Using Stats App Created By Foothills Volleyball Coach
CFHS Students Learning All Sides of the Theatre Industry
Blue Ribbon Goes to Sunrise Drive Elementary
Sunrise Drive Receives National Recognition
CFHS Students Named Semifinalists
Founding Fathers Visit Manzanita Elementary School
Foothills Student with Spastic Paraplegia Uses Tablet to Learn Lines and Play Tennis
New Building at CFHS for Orchestra, Guitar Nearing Completion/CFHS Music Hall Expands
Catalina Foothills High School Preparing Students for Engineering Career
Foothills middle school students help with NASA research on growing plants in space
Falcon College & Career Connections with Claire Graham
UA Basketball Players Read to Kids at Manzanita
Raising the Bar: Tackling test anxiety as the end of the school year approaches
Raising the Bar: Organizational skills for testing
Raising the Bar: Finishing the school year strong
Game of Thrones: Kings, queens of Tucson Catalina Foothills High tennis seek another crown
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