Higley Unified School District (4248)
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State Law

Arizona is a
"May" state

Learn more about state laws.

Location Map GILBERT, AZ 85295 Maricopa County
Lifewise Local Program Website Link (opens in a new tab)
District Poverty Rate 5.2% (data source)
Non-White Students 39.9% (data source)
NCES Link NCES District Info
Last Updated January 18, 2026
Arizona State Law

School districts may create a policy allowing students to be released for religious study, or they may choose not to coordinate with released-time programs and require the students' legal guardians facilitate the process.
Read more about "May" and "Shall" state laws

Full Law Text Link to State Law

15-806. Excuse from school attendance

A. The governing board of each school district and the governing body of each charter school shall adopt a policy governing the excuse of pupils for religious purposes. The policy may permit a pupil to be excused from school attendance for religious purposes, including participation in religious exercises or religious instruction. If the policy permits a pupil to be excused for religious purposes, the policy shall stipulate the conditions under which the excuse will be granted. These conditions shall include at least the following:

1. The person who has custody of the pupil has given written consent.
2. Any religious instruction or exercise takes place at a suitable place away from school property designated by the church or religious denomination or group.

What Can My School District Do?

All school districts, regardless of whether they are required by law to allow released time, should implement good policy and be prepared for when a released time program may approach the district. The time to set the policy is before an active program is pressuring the district. Research polices the district can implement to protect teachers' and students' instruction time. Set polices that limit disruptions to students and the ability for proselytization to occur, impacting other students of faith or no faith. A more detailed write-up on school board policies can be read here.

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Schools in the District (16)
School Grades Period
Bridges Elementary School
Centennial Elementary School
Chaparral Elementary School
Cooley Middle School
Coronado Elementary School
Cortina Elementary
Elona P. Cooley Early Child Development Center
Gateway Pointe Elementary
Higley High School
Higley Traditional Academy
Higley Virtual Academy
Power Ranch Elementary
San Tan Elementary
Sossaman Middle School
Sue Sossaman Early Childhood Development Center
Williams Field High School
6 schools not shown
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Launch Steps History
Step
Description
Signatures
Date
Step 1
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9
October 30, 2025
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8
October 24, 2025
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7
October 22, 2025
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September 19, 2025
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September 17, 2025
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August 8, 2025
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June 17, 2025
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April 10, 2025
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March 20, 2025
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March 17, 2024
 
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