In February, elementary physical education teachers challenged 5,000-plus fifth-graders in Mesa Public School District to make healthy food choices and get more exercise for 28 consecutive days as part of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona’s Walk On! Challenge. Every fifth-grade student in the Mesa district had the opportunity to participate in the Walk On! Challenge, which was facilitated by the physical education teachers in each of the elementary schools in Mesa.

A unanimous Maricopa County Board of Supervisors has endorsed a $2.2 billion budget for the upcoming fiscal year, some $82.4 million lower than the county currently spends. The budget approved today is likely to produce a modest property tax decrease for Valley homeowners but also a merit-based salary increase for county employees, who have gone without permanent increases for five years.

Graduation is just days away. Then, they’ll be moving on to the next phases of their life.

Here is a collection of thoughts and stories from those who've crossed paths (personally or professionally) with former Higley district athletic director Art Wagner, who died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound on May 15.

School districts in the East Valley are working the numbers to figure how much they will have to pay utilities, pay teachers next year or spend on textbooks.

Expect More Arizona, a statewide education advocacy organization dedicated to raising education expectations in Arizona announced four Excellence Tour Spotlight award winners during an event held on Tuesday, including Mesa's Great Hearts Academies. According to a release, "the Phoenix finalists for the Expect More Excellence Tour demonstrate and celebrate what Arizonans are doing today to elevate world-class education in the community."

Chandler’s Arizona College Prep-Erie earned a Top 100 on Newsweek’s 2013 America’s Best High Schools list.

A good cup of coffee starts with a good roast.

WASHINGTON — Amanda Blackhorse is outraged when she thinks of the Washington Redskins, a team whose name and mascot are deeply offensive to the Navajo woman.

Gov. Jan Brewer signed a measure Monday to make it easier for schools to get rid of teachers who are not performing up to expectations.

Editor's note: Claire Hoogenboom is a broadcast major studying journalism at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communications at Arizona State University.

There are 707 graduates in the Mountain View High School Class of 2013.

Gilbert Classical Academy will graduate 37 students in its Class of 2013.

About 400 graduates will receive diplomas this year from Mesa's Skyline High School.

Zaharis Elementary's Lemonade Club presented $414 to Academy Award winner, author and musician Jeff Bridges, international spokesperson for Share Our Strength: No Kid Hungry, last week. Principal Mike Oliver shared this story:

Zaharis Elementary's Lemonade Club presented $414 to Academy Award winner, author and musician Jeff Bridges, international spokesperson for Share Our Strength: No Kid Hungry, last week. Principal Mike Oliver shared this story:

Two BASIS schools in Arizona were ranked among the top 10 high schools in the country this week by U.S. News & World Report.

Ashley Hill led Red Mountain's softball team with three hits and three RBIs as the Lions handled fellow Mesa district opponent Dobson, 10-0, on Monday.

Three term state Sen. Al Melvin announced Monday he intends to run for governor this coming year.

BASIS Mesa, the acclaimed charter school's newest campus, is taking shape as construction crews move dirt and the school's new leader takes her first steps to recruit students and hire teachers.

Browse the artwork of Mesa Unified School District juniors and seniors while enjoying live theater, dance and music performances. You'll also be able to sample cuisine created by Mesa Public Schools culinary arts students.

The Senate voted 19-11 Tuesday to make it easier for schools to get rid of teachers who are not performing up to expectations.

Former State Senator David Schapira has been appointed assistant superintendent at Mesa’s East Valley Institute of Technology.