Sacaton Elementary School District #18 is excited to welcome our students, families, teachers, and staff to the 2026–2027 school year. Classes begin Monday, July 27, 2026, and we are ready to launch the year with enthusiasm, purpose, and high expectations for every student.
In Back to the Future, the DeLorean had to reach 88 miles per hour before the flux capacitor could send it into the future. Today, change often seems to happen at that same speed. New technology, new programs, new expectations, and the changing needs of our students require all of us to learn, adapt, and move forward together.
This year, Sacaton Elementary School District #18 is embracing that momentum. Our goal is not simply to keep pace with change, but to use it to create stronger schools, better learning opportunities, and brighter futures for our students.
Students should arrive ready to learn, participate, and do their best each day. Teachers and staff are prepared to provide engaging instruction, meaningful support, and safe learning environments. Parents and guardians remain essential partners by encouraging good attendance, supporting learning at home, and maintaining open communication with our schools.
Our students are capable of great things, and we will hold them—and ourselves—to high expectations. Success will require commitment, responsibility, perseverance, kindness, and the courage to grow. When students, families, teachers, and staff work together, challenges become opportunities and change becomes progress.
Our collective energy, creativity, and commitment are the “flux capacitor” that will move our District forward. The future is not something we simply wait for—it is something we create together.
School begins Monday, July 27, 2026. Let us arrive ready to learn, ready to grow, and ready to move into the future—perhaps even at 88 miles per hour!
Engage. Adapt. Transform.
REMINDERS
This school year marks an exciting new chapter for our district. Our schools have been reorganized to better serve students, with:
Sacaton Elementary School:
Kindergarten through Grade 5
Sacaton Middle School:
Grades 6 through 8
We are also excited to begin our new four-day school week, providing students with engaging instructional days while supporting staff collaboration, professional learning, and family time.
SCHOOL HOURS
Sacaton Elementary School (Grades K–5)
8:00 a.m. – 3:15 p.m.
Sacaton Middle School (Grades 6–8)
8:30 a.m. – 3:45 p.m.
TRANSPORTATION
To continue providing the safest transportation possible, the District will once again operate separate bus routes for elementary (grades K-5) and middle school (grades 6-8) students.
Elementary students will ride the earlier bus route, with pickup and drop-off times remaining approximately the same as last school year.
Middle school students will ride the later bus route, with pickups and drop-offs occurring approximately 30 minutes later than the elementary schedule.
Transportation Director Lisa Pauli-Lake has mailed bus schedules to each household. If you have questions regarding your child's transportation, please contact the Transportation Department at (520) 562-8600.
Parents who choose to drive their children to school may drop off elementary students first and then middle school students. Students who arrive early because of family transportation will report to the Middle School Cafeteria, where staff will supervise an extended study and quiet activity period until the regular school day begins.
CELL PHONE: AWAY FOR THE DAY
As part of our commitment to providing a focused, safe, and engaging learning environment for all students, the District will implement an "Away for the Day" Personal Electronic Device Regulation beginning with the 2026-2027 school year.
Students will not have access to personal electronic devices during the school day.
Upon arriving at school each morning, students will check their phones into the school office. The devices will be securely stored during the school day and returned to students at dismissal.
SCHOOL SUPPLIES
School Supplies will be provided by the school.
BACKPACK RESTRICTION
Backpacks and hoodies are prohibited.