Mesa Public Schools leaders are examining the reasons behind the departure of 1,647 high school students during the last school year, using feedback from former students and families to identify areas for improvement.
District officials said a recent survey highlighted concerns related to school culture, teaching quality, and student safety. Leaders say the findings will help guide future changes as they work to improve the student experience across Mesa schools.
Survey
The district worked with educational research firm WestEd to gather feedback from students who left Mesa Public Schools.
The survey found that 31% of students who responded said their families moved away. Other students cited different reasons for leaving, including concerns about the school environment and academic experiences.
Among those who gave reasons unrelated to relocation:
| Reason Reported | Percentage |
|---|---|
| School culture concerns | 29% |
| Teaching quality concerns | 20% |
| Bullying and student safety concerns | 20% |
| Family moved away | 31% |
The district said about 150 former students participated in the survey. Officials noted that the number represents only a portion of the 1,647 students who left.
Feedback
Mesa Public Schools Superintendent Matt Strom said the district views the feedback as an opportunity to identify areas where improvements can be made.
Strom said the district is focused on continuous improvement and wants to use comments from students and families to strengthen schools.
He also pointed out that not every student departure reflects a problem within the district. Some students leave because of normal educational transitions or because families choose different academic options.
Examples include students changing schools after completing certain grade levels, such as moving from elementary to middle school or middle school to high school.
Changes
District leaders said they are working on several efforts in response to the survey results.
One initiative includes new hospitality programs designed to help students explore careers in areas such as restaurants and hotels. The programs are intended to provide additional career pathways and connect education with workforce opportunities.
The district is also reviewing its student discipline system each year. Officials said these reviews are part of broader efforts to create a safer and more supportive school environment.
Enrollment
Despite the number of students who left last year, Mesa Public Schools reported that 91% of students are expected to return for the upcoming semester.
The district also expects approximately 4,500 new students to enroll this year.
Classes are scheduled to begin on August 6, with administrators preparing for the start of the new school year while continuing to address concerns raised in the survey.
Future
Mesa School Board members said they plan to study the findings and use them to guide future improvement efforts.
The district’s review focuses on understanding why some students leave and identifying changes that could encourage more families to remain in Mesa Public Schools.
By examining issues related to school culture, instruction, and safety, district leaders say they hope to create stronger learning environments for current and future students.
FAQs
How many Mesa students left?
1,647 high school students left the district last school year.
Why did students leave Mesa schools?
Reasons included moves, culture, teaching, and safety concerns.
Who conducted the survey?
Educational research firm WestEd conducted the survey.
Are students returning this year?
The district reports 91% of students are returning.
When do classes start?
Mesa Public Schools classes begin on August 6.
