Catalina Foothills Unified School District

In 2014, CFSD released its strategic plan,[1] outlining its ongoing commitment to prepare students well for a 21st-century life that is increasingly complex and global.

In the plan, the district outlines how it creates a learning environment in which each student achieves academic and personal excellence.

[6] Of all school districts statewide, CFSD had the highest AzMERIT scores in both English Language Arts and Math.

1 Public School District in Arizona, scoring an A+ in Academics, an A in Educational Outcomes, and an A− in Teachers, according to the 2017 and 2018 Niche rankings.

[9] Ventana Vista, Canyon View, Manzanita and Sunrise Drive were named among the Top Elementary Schools in Arizona.

National Merit Scholars, AP Scholars, Pima County Spelling Bee Champion, 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.

All CFSD elementary schools offer music, visual arts, Spanish (K-5), and physical education taught by highly qualified, certified teachers.

Through a four-year program in engineering, Project Lead the Way, students can earn college credit at the University of Arizona.

[16] The Catalina Foothills School District opened its doors in 1931 with nine students and a teacher, who met in a garage.

In 1939, developer John Murphey sold 2.2 acres on River Road to CFSD for the sum of ten dollars, with the stipulation that the land be used for a public school.

That summer, a two-room country schoolhouse was designed by Joseph T. Joesler and built by the Works Progress Administration.

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.