Peoria (Arizona) district considers closing 2 elementary schools to address enrollment decline

The school board may decide to close Kachina and Pioneer elementary schools.
Jan. 6, 2026

Key Highlights

  • Kachina and Pioneer elementary schools in Glendale are proposed for closure and repurposing.
  • Cactus High School will be converted to a grade 7-12 school
  • The district is responding to a decline in enrollment within the Cactus High School cluster.
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The Peoria district is considering whether to close Kachina Elementary in Glendale.

The Peoria (Arizona) Unified District is considering closing two elementary schools to address declining enrollment.

12news.com reports that the board is looking at possible closures and repurposing of school buildings.

Kachina and Pioneer elementary schools in Glendale would be closed and the buildings repurposed. Cactus High School would be repurposed into a grade 7-12 school. Seventh and eighth grades at Kachina, Pioneer, Canyon and Foothills would be moved to Cactus High School.

Peoria eCampus would be closed to K-8 students. It would continue to operate as a grade 9-12 model.

District officials say Cactus High School cluster has seen the sharpest decline in enrollment.

About the Author

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Mike Kennedy

Senior Editor

Mike Kennedy has been writing about education for American School & University since 1999. He also has reported on schools and other topics for The Chicago Tribune, The Kansas City Star, The Kansas City Times and City News Bureau of Chicago. He is a graduate of Michigan State University.

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