Summer 2025 Scene
The Madison Scene - Summer 2025
Inspiring passion for learning and leading
Letter from the Superintendent
Hello Madison Community,
Hello Madison Community,
I hope you and your family had an enjoyable summer. At Madison, we are gearing up for the 2025-2026 school year. We are ready to welcome over 500 new kindergarten students. It is hard to believe that they will be the high school graduating class of 2038!
I am thrilled to share that the Madison Elementary School District has once again received Cognia Systems Accreditation, an international protocol for institutions committed to systematic and sustainable improvement. Systems Accreditation builds an institution’s capacity to improve and sustain student learning. It stimulates and improves effectiveness and efficiency throughout the institution.
Accreditation is required for all high schools. Madison voluntarily chooses to seek accreditation as part of our continuous efforts to sustain the highest standards of excellence for all our students. Madison is currently the only K-8 school district in Arizona to hold Systems Accreditation from Cognia. To learn more about this prestigious accreditation process, please visit cognia.org/accreditation.
As we begin this new school year together, I want to thank you for your continued partnership and support. We can’t wait to see our students learn and grow in the year ahead.
I wish you and your family a wonderful start to the new school year!
Sincerely, Dr. Kimberly Guerin
Madison School District Superintendent
Meet Scott Thompson
Madison is pleased to welcome Mr. Scott Thompson as the district’s new Assistant
Superintendent of Administrative Services. Mr. Thompson brings over 25 years of school business expertise, including navigating student enrollment growth and school facility expansion at the Dysart Unified School District, and overseeing state
funding and IT at the Arizona Department of Education. Additionally, Mr. Thompson is currently a board member on the state’s School Facilities Oversight Board, which oversees the capital needs of K-12 school districts and administers funding for school building renewal projects. He also served in the private sector as General Manager of Safeguard Security, where he increased profitability following a company acquisition.
“I’m excited to join the Madison team! It’s clear from the Governing Board to the staff that the district is fully committed to student success.”
A Front Row Seat to the Arts
Madison is excited to offer the Madison Matinee series, which features educational performances that happen during the school day for Madison students to attend completely free of charge. These performances are intended to enhance and enrich the educational experience of our students by exposing them to the arts.
Performances during the 2025-2026 school year will include Hans Christian Anderson’s The Little Mermaid, Yellow Bird Indian Dancers, Omnium Circus, The Phoenix Symphony, Arizona Operatunity, Mariachi Sol de México, and more. To learn more about The Madison Center for the Arts, visit themadison.org.
A New Chapter Begins:
Madison Rose Lane Breaks Ground on Reimagined Campus
Madison Elementary School District recently broke ground on the full rebuild of the Madison Rose Lane Elementary School campus, located at Rose Lane and 12th Street. Designed by Grace Design Studios and constructed by McCarthy Building Companies, Inc., the preschool–4th grade campus will be fully transformed by summer 2027.
“This marks an exciting new chapter in the legacy of Madison Rose Lane,” said Superintendent Dr. Kimberly Guerin. “We’re grateful to our partners for honoring the heart of this community while creating a state-of-the-art campus focused on the visual and performing arts.”
Home to over 600 students, Rose Lane offers a signature program in the arts. The rebuild—funded by the 2023 voter-approved bond—includes a new two-story classroom building, music and dance studios, a preschool wing, and a dynamic multipurpose performing arts space with an indoor-outdoor stage. New Madison Adventure Club (MAC) spaces, athletic fields, expanded parking, and a district-wide training center are also part of the phased construction plan.
Students will engage with the process through construction tours, classroom visits, and
hands-on learning.
“This project is about more than just new buildings,” said Biby Carbonneau of Grace Design Studios. “It’s about creating an inspiring place where creativity and learning thrive.”
We thank our community voters for their strong support of the bond initiative that made this and other important projects benefiting Madison students possible.
2025-2026 Back-to-School Information
Complete required School Check-In Day process (more info at madisonaz.org/checkin).
Mark your calendars for the first day of school: Tuesday, August 5, 2025.
Familiarize yourself with suggested school supply lists and dress code or uniform policies before you begin your back-to-school shopping.
Familiarize yourself with drop-off and pick-up procedures, as well as bus routes. Download the MyRide K-12 App from the Google Play Store or Apple Store to access your child’s route information and more. Learn more at madisonaz.org/bus.
Check out the interactive breakfast and lunch menus at madisonaz.org/foodandnutrition.
Consider a shift to your child’s school sleep schedule a week before to ease the transition.
Follow us on social media to keep up-to-date with what’s happening around Madison.
Important Dates:
- July 22-24: Student Check-In Days
- August 5: First Day of School
- September 1: Labor Day
- October 3: Teacher Planning Day - No School
- October 6-10: Fall Break
- October 22-24: Parent/Teacher Conferences
- November 11: Veteran’s Day
- November 26-28: Thanksgiving Break
- December 19: Teacher Planning Day - No School
- December 22-January 2: Winter Break
Free & Reduced Price Meal Applications
It’s more than a meal application! We encourage all families to fill out the free and reduced price meal application to determine if they are eligible for this benefit. As a result of funding approved for the 2025-2026 school year by the Arizona Department of Education, families who qualify for either free or reduced-price meals do not pay anything for school breakfast or lunch.
In addition to free and reduced-price meals, families may qualify for reduced prices on other important services. Schools also receive additional funding based on the number of families who qualify, which provides valuable opportunities and important resources for students. During the school year, paper applications are available in your school’s front office or café or can be filled out online anytime at linqconnect.com.
Visit madisonaz.org/foodandnutrition or scan to learn more and fill out an application!
The Importance of Regular Attendance
Every school day matters.
When students miss school—even for excused reasons—they miss important lessons, interactions and learning opportunities that are hard to make up. Over time, absences add up and can impact a student’s academic progress and confidence.
Consistent attendance supports strong learning habits, long-term success, and social development. Madison is committed to partnering with our families to support regular attendance of our students.
Let’s work together to help every student thrive—starting with showing up. When students are present, they’re more likely to succeed in school and beyond.
If you need assistance or resources, we are here to help.
Madison is Now Using: ParentSquare
Madison School District has launched ParentSquare to reach and engage every family, helping ensure all families have the opportunity to actively participate in their children’s education.
ParentSquare, a simple and unified school-to-home communication platform, allows parents and guardians in Madison to receive communications from the district, their child’s school, classrooms, and school activity groups.
ParentSquare Features:
- Enjoy photos and classroom updates posted by your child’s teachers
- Receive urgent and important alerts
- Sign up for parent-teacher conferences
- Engage in direct messaging with real-time language translation
Activate your account today! Visit madisonaz.org/parentsquare or scan to learn more about our new school-to-home communication platform.
Inspire Your Child's Passion for Learning & Leading
What does a Madison education look like?
For more than 130 years, Madison School District has been a trusted part of the North Central Phoenix community, committed to providing students with an educational experience that is rigorous, supportive, and future-focused.
As an “A” rated district, Madison serves nearly 5,600 students across eight schools. Our dedicated educators and staff work together to create safe, supportive environments where every student is cared for and challenged to reach their full potential.
We offer six Signature Programs that allow students to explore their interests, whether in the arts, sciences, a second language, or through advanced and accelerated learning, all while developing essential academic skills to become lifelong learners. Outside of school hours, students can participate in clubs, athletics, and camps that help them continue to grow and learn, within a fun, structured, and safe environment.
Madison’s approach supports student well-being alongside academic achievement. We promote healthy habits through nutrition education and wellness initiatives, and help build strong character through programs that build positive school culture. Our caring student support staff, including paraprofessionals, school counselors, and social workers, ensure all students have the skills and resources to succeed.
This work is made possible by the strong partnerships we share with families and our local community. Their support allows us to provide exceptional learning opportunities, modern and safe school facilities, and a welcoming place for all students to thrive.
Whether you have children in our schools or care about the future of our community, we invite you to learn more about Madison. Together, we are shaping confident, compassionate, and capable leaders.
There’s still time to enroll for the 2025-2026 school year. Visit madisonaz.org/enroll to learn more!
Signature Programs at Madison
Madison offers six unique Signature Programs that empower students to explore their passions and develop their talents.
- Gifted Programs & REACH
- International Baccalaureate®
- Spanish Immersion
- STEAM: Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, & Math
- Traditional Academy
- Visual & Performing Arts
Awards & Celebrations
Our students, staff, and schools are recognized for their achievements and excellence at the local, state, and national levels.
2023-2024 school and district letter grades have been announced and we are proud to share that ALL eight of our schools have earned a designation of an “A” or “B” from the Arizona Department of Education. Madison has received the letter grade of an “A” as a district.
Six Madison schools were ranked in the U.S. News and World Report Best Elementary Schools and U.S. News Best Middle Schools in Arizona! U.S. News and World Report published the rankings on more than 80,000 public elementary and middle schools across the United States. Congratulations to Madison Simis Elementary, Madison Heights Elementary, Madison Camelview Elementary, Madison No. 1 Middle School, Madison Meadows Middle School, and Madison Traditional Academy.
Congratulations to two teachers from Madison Meadows Middle School on their extraordinary achievements. Megan Tracy, 7th and 8th grade art teacher, was awarded the A+ Teacher of the Week by 12 News. Ms. Tracy was nominated by her student, David, who said, “I love the way she loves art, and the way she brings art to Madison Meadows, from ceramics to painting. It’s unbelievable how much hard work she puts into teaching art.” Jeanette Boyle, 5th and 6th grade art and design teacher, was awarded the 2024 Middle Years Programme IB® AZ Teacher of the Year Award by Arizona International Baccalaureate Schools.
Additionally, Madison has been awarded the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting by the Government Finance Officers Association! The Certificate of Achievement is the highest honor in governmental accounting and financial reporting. Madison has received this award for more than 30 years, reflecting our commitment to transparency in financial reporting.
Madison’s Governing Board was recognized with the esteemed Lou Ella Kleinz Excellence in Governance Award by the Arizona School Boards Association. Receiving this prestigious award reflects the tireless efforts and dedication of our Governing Board in guiding our district towards excellence.
Join the Madison Team
At Madison, you'll find a welcoming and supportive environment that fosters collaboration, growth, and development. We take pride in our positive atmosphere and strong sense of community, making it not just a job, but a place where careers flourish.
Current opportunities:
- Bus Drivers
- Before & After School Program Club Leaders (MAC)
- Teachers & Guest Teachers
- Special Education Paraprofessionals
- Instructional Aides
- And More!
“Being a part of the Madison School District is like having a home away from home. It is
a pleasure to come into work everyday.” -Gabriela Garcia, Madison Bus Driver
Employee benefits:
- Competitive salaries
- Health insurance & wellness benefits
- Retirement plans
- Generous paid holidays & time off
- Professional development opportunities
- Positive workplace culture
- Family & community oriented environment
Visit madisonaz.org/jobs to hear from our amazing staff members about why they love working at Madison!
