Recent News

Gadsden Elementary School District #32 is pleased to share that Arizona Desert Elementary School and Ed Pastor Elementary School are planning to apply for the Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) Cohort 2 Grant through the Arizona Department of Education.

If awarded, the grant could provide $600,000 over five years to support opportunities for students and families, including:
- Homework and academic support
- STEAM activities
- Summer learning opportunities

Please note that this is a competitive grant application, and funding is not guaranteed.

For additional information, please contact Linda Coronado at (928) 627-6553 or [email protected].

Southwest Early College Academy Principal Luis Reyes has been appointed to the National Institute for Excellence in Teaching’s 2026-2028 Educator Advisory Board, joining 12 education leaders from across the country. His appointment gives Gadsden educators a voice on a national platform while creating opportunities to exchange ideas and bring valuable perspectives and practices back to our students, teachers and region.

Luis Reyes, director de Southwest Early College Academy, fue seleccionado para formar parte del Consejo Asesor de Educadores 2026-2028 del National Institute for Excellence in Teaching (NIET), junto a 12 líderes educativos de todo el país. Su nombramiento brinda a los educadores de Gadsden una voz a nivel nacional y abre nuevas oportunidades para compartir ideas y traer conocimientos y prácticas valiosas que beneficien a nuestros estudiantes, maestros y a toda nuestra región.

Gadsden Elementary School District #32 conducted its first reunification drill of the 2026-2027 school year on Sept. 15 at Arizona Desert Elementary School, giving students and staff an opportunity to practice emergency response procedures in a realistic setting. This year’s drills are being conducted on-site, as required by law, allowing schools to evaluate communication, accountability, staff responsibilities and student release procedures, with the reunification process completed in under an hour. Governing Board President Tadeo A. De La Hoya and Vice President Mark Concha visited the school to support staff and observe the exercise as the district continues strengthening emergency preparedness across its schools.

El Distrito Escolar Primario de Gadsden #32 llevó a cabo su primer simulacro de reunificación del ciclo escolar 2026-2027 el 15 de septiembre en Arizona Desert Elementary School, brindando a estudiantes y personal la oportunidad de practicar los procedimientos de respuesta ante una emergencia en un entorno realista. Este año, los simulacros de reunificación se están realizando dentro de los planteles, conforme lo requiere la ley, permitiendo evaluar la comunicación, la responsabilidad del personal y los procedimientos para la entrega de estudiantes, completando el proceso de reunificación en menos de una hora. El presidente de la Mesa Directiva, Tadeo A. De La Hoya, y el vicepresidente, Mark Concha, visitaron la escuela para mostrar su apoyo al personal y observar el ejercicio, mientras el Distrito continúa fortaleciendo la preparación ante emergencias en sus escuelas.

Gadsden Elementary School District #32 has launched a new online school meal menu website to give families easier access to breakfast, lunch and dinner menus. The website also provides nutritional information for individual menu items and information about Special Meal Accommodations for students with food allergies, medical conditions or other dietary needs. Developed through the district’s continued partnership with Southwest Foodservice Excellence, the new resource is designed to help families stay informed and plan ahead.

Visit the website to view current school meal menus: https://www.schoolnutritionandfitness.com/index.php?sid=1786628161867

El Distrito Escolar Primario de Gadsden #32 ha lanzado un nuevo sitio web de menús escolares para facilitar a las familias el acceso a los menús de desayuno, almuerzo y cena. El sitio también ofrece información nutricional de los alimentos e información sobre Adaptaciones Especiales de Comidas para estudiantes con alergias alimentarias, condiciones médicas u otras necesidades dietéticas. Desarrollado gracias a la continua colaboración del distrito con Southwest Foodservice Excellence, este nuevo recurso busca ayudar a las familias a mantenerse informadas y planificar con anticipación.

Visite el sitio web para consultar los menús escolares actuales: https://www.schoolnutritionandfitness.com/index.php?sid=1786628161867

Gadsden Elementary School District to Participate in School Breakfast Program and National School Lunch Program for the 2026-2027 School Year
Gadsden Elementary School District #32 will be participating in the School Breakfast Program and National School Lunch Program. As part of this program, Arizona Desert Elementary School, Cesar Chavez Elementary School, Desert View Elementary School, Ed Pastor Elementary School, Gadsden Elementary School, Rio Colorado Elementary School, San Luis Middle School, San Luis Preschool and Southwest Junior High will offer healthy meals every school day.
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El Distrito Escolar Primario de Gadsden participará en el Programa de Desayuno Escolar y el Programa Nacional de Almuerzos Escolares durante el año escolar 2026-2027
El Distrito Escolar Primario de Gadsden #32 participará en el Programa de Desayuno Escolar y el Programa Nacional de Almuerzos Escolares. Como parte de estos programas, Arizona Desert Elementary School, Cesar Chavez Elementary School, Desert View Elementary School, Ed Pastor Elementary School, Gadsden Elementary School, Rio Colorado Elementary School, San Luis Middle School, San Luis Preschool y Southwest Junior High ofrecerán comidas nutritivas todos los días de clases.

Gadsden Elementary School District #32 Superintendent Lizette Esparza has been reappointed to the First Things First Yuma Regional Partnership Council as an at-large representative for a four-year term beginning July 1, 2026. Through her continued service, Esparza will help support regional efforts focused on early childhood development, health, learning and school readiness for children from birth through age 5. Her reappointment reflects GESD #32’s ongoing commitment to strengthening partnerships and expanding opportunities that help young children build a strong foundation for future success.

La superintendente del Distrito Escolar Primario de Gadsden #32, Lizette Esparza, fue reelegida como representante general del Consejo Regional de Yuma de First Things First para un periodo de cuatro años que comienza el 1 de julio de 2026. A través de su servicio continuo, Esparza contribuirá a los esfuerzos regionales enfocados en el desarrollo, la salud, el aprendizaje y la preparación escolar de los niños desde el nacimiento hasta los 5 años. Su reelección refleja el compromiso continuo de GESD #32 de fortalecer alianzas y ampliar oportunidades que ayuden a los niños a desarrollar una base sólida para su éxito futuro.

Open House events are coming to schools across Gadsden Elementary School District #32!

Join us to meet teachers and school staff, visit classrooms, receive important information and help your child prepare for a successful start to the 2026–2027 school year.

And remember, the first day of school is Wednesday, August 5, 2026!

We look forward to welcoming our students and families back to campus!

Southwest Junior High School has been named to the Top 10 shortlist for the 2026 World’s Best School Prize for Overcoming Adversity, making it one of the first Arizona schools ever shortlisted for the prestigious global recognition. The school was recognized for its early college-preparation model, which expands access to higher education for students in a border community where many families face financial barriers. Through strong academic support, college-level learning opportunities and a commitment to helping every student succeed, Southwest Junior High has become a leading example of educational excellence in Yuma County, the State of Arizona, and the United States.

Southwest Junior High School ha sido nombrada en la lista de las 10 mejores escuelas del mundo por World’s Best School Prize 2026 en la categoría de Superación de la Adversidad, convirtiéndose en una de las primeras escuelas de Arizona en recibir este prestigioso reconocimiento internacional. La escuela fue reconocida por su modelo de preparación universitaria temprana, el cual amplía el acceso a la educación superior para estudiantes de una comunidad fronteriza donde muchas familias enfrentan barreras económicas. A través del apoyo académico sólido, oportunidades de aprendizaje a nivel universitario y el compromiso de ayudar a cada estudiante a triunfar, Southwest Junior High se ha convertido en ejemplo destacado de excelencia educativa en el condado de Yuma, del estado de Arizona y los Estados Unidos.

Southwest Junior High has been recognized as a contender for T4 Education’s World’s Best School Prize for Overcoming Adversity, an international honor recognizing schools that make a meaningful impact in education. The Gadsden Elementary School District #32 invites families, staff, students and community members to attend a special viewing of the official Top 10 announcement at 1 p.m. Thursday, June 25, at the Southwest Junior High gym, with a livestream also available on the district’s Facebook and YouTube pages. Regardless of the outcome, this recognition places Southwest Junior High and the district on a global stage and represents a proud moment for the region, the state of Arizona and the United States.


Southwest Junior High ha sido reconocido como contendiente para el premio World’s Best School Prize for Overcoming Adversity de T4 Education, un honor internacional que reconoce a escuelas que generan un impacto significativo en la educación. El Gadsden Elementary School District #32 invita a las familias, el personal, los estudiantes y la comunidad a asistir a una presentación especial del anuncio oficial de las 10 mejores escuelas a la 1 p.m. el jueves 25 de junio en el gimnasio de Southwest Junior High, con transmisión en vivo también disponible en las páginas de Facebook y YouTube del distrito. Sin importar el resultado, este reconocimiento coloca a Southwest Junior High y al distrito en un escenario global y representa un momento de orgullo para la región, el estado de Arizona y los Estados Unidos.

A copy of the agenda is available at the District Office Administrative Building