Peoria Unified School District

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Peoria Unified School District #11 provides primary and secondary education in the cities of Peoria, Arizona and parts of Glendale, Arizona.

Peoria Unified School District #11 began in 1889. covering 49 square miles. The first school year opened with a fluctuating class of 5 to 15 students. The following year the district opened with a class size of three students.^{[citation needed]} Due to the small size, Maricopa County was considering merging Peoria District #11 with Washington District #6. The following is how the story goes. William Bartlett recalled a dramatic moment that saved the fledgling district from oblivion:

One day early in July, Mr. Mann noticed a canvas covered wagon approaching in a cloud of dust along Grand Ave. As it drew near he noted there were several children inside, he stepped out, halted the team, and inquired of the driver his destination, which proved to be Phoenix or any other place where he might find employment. Answering the question as to how many children, he replied, "nine." Then, said Mr. Mann, "You have got a job right here"; that fall, eight of the Bills children were enrolled and attended the Peoria School, and District Number 11 was preserved.^{[citation needed]}

In 1905, the first building was destroyed by fire. However, education was not to fall by the wayside. A bond election was held the next year to build a new school. The bond proposition passed by one vote.

The following year an ironic controversy gripped the district. The citizens of Peoria were fighting about building a one room school or a two room school. Many residents claimed that Peoria would never need more than two rooms in a school. The new two room school was finally built on 83rd Avenue and Washington Street at a cost of $3,200.

Today, Peoria Unified School District contains 30 elementary schools and 7 high schools. Over the past twenty years, the district has built at least one school per year because of rapid growth in Glendale and Peoria.