Sarah Bates is a homegrown Tucsonan. As a military kid, she learned grit, hard work, and how to build a strong, supportive community to find success.

Sarah began her teaching career in the Vail Unified School District before becoming the principal of the district’s top-performing elementary school, Ocotillo Ridge. When asked to lead Cottonwood, she jumped right in with both feet, fiercely dedicated to helping her staff and students. Mrs. Bates had a clear vision for Cottonwood’s success. Within her first year of serving as principal, Cottonwood increased its state ranking from 499th to 14th, from a B rating to an A rating.

In that same year, the school improved in all 26 categories on the annual parent surveys, and every year, it has achieved an 85% or higher rating on the staff’s Protective School Assessment survey.

Mrs. Bates is excited to take on the new and exciting challenge of leading our Community Programs, which host highly rated Toddler, Preschool, Prekindergarten, and Out-of-School Time Care within our community.

When asked how Mrs. Bates manages to do it all—40 under 40 award recipient, PBIS Coach, and leader of an A+-rated school… the first thing she will say is, “We have an incredible team.”

A wife and mother of two boys, Mrs. Bates, is a fiercely determined, get your hands dirty, serve as if your life depends on it type of leader, mom, and friend.

Vail Community Programs