Tanque Verde Unified School District has been selected for ACT’s first Professional Learning and Growth Award, recognizing the district’s outstanding commitment to student achievement and continuous professional learning. District Superintendent Dr. Scott Hagerman accepted the award on the district’s behalf at the 2025 Arizona ACT Conference in Phoenix, Arizona on December 9, 2025 at Arizona State University Memorial Union, 301 E. Orange Street, Tempe, Arizona 85281.
Award Details
Tanque Verde Unified School District was one of four finalists for the award, which included Glendale Preparatory School, Flagstaff USD, and Glendale Union High School District. As part of this recognition, Tanque Verde Unified School District will receive $2,500 in ACT Professional Development credits, a $500 scholarship for a college-bound student, and $500 for a workforce-bound student.
District Achievements / Selection Process
Finalists were selected after a careful analysis by ACT data experts of ACT testing performance across all public and charter schools and districts in the state. The four finalists were determined to have had the greatest average college readiness testing performance growth from their students’ ACT Aspire test results in grade 9 to their ACT scores in grade 11.
In a second phase of the process, finalists were asked to describe their district or school professional learning programs and the ways in which these initiatives and strategies strengthened instructional excellence and contributed to their student growth from 9th to 11th grades.
Tanque Verde Unified School District stood out for its strong culture of collaboration and ongoing improvement. Its commitment to data-driven decision making and continuous progress in student achievement was evident through approaches like transparent data sharing, regular ACT practice testing, weekly Professional Learning Community (PLC) meetings, cross-disciplinary team collaboration, monthly leadership walkthroughs, and more. These initiatives foster a supportive environment where educators and students work together to maximize learning outcomes.
“Tanque Verde Unified School District exemplifies what it means to put students first,” said Catherine Hofmann, senior vice president of government and public relations at ACT. “The district’s collaborative efforts and dedication to ongoing development set a high standard for educational excellence across Arizona.”
“I am incredibly proud of the work we do every day to support our students. Our district's vision is a promise to our community to educate every student in an environment that promotes mastery, excellence and integrity”, said Dr. Hagerman.
Looking Ahead
Tanque Verde Unified School District will continue to build on these achievements, striving for even greater progress in student learning and professional development. The district remains dedicated to preparing all students for success in college, careers, and life.