PXU Superintendent

Ms. Thea Andrade has served as Phoenix Union High School District Superintendent since the summer of 2023. Ms. Andrade is the first female superintendent in the District’s nearly 130-year history after earning unanimous approval from the Governing Board.

Prior to being named superintendent, Ms. Andrade served as PXU’s Chief Achievement Officer, a role she held since 2019. In this role, she led the Safety, Student & Family Services, and Teaching & Learning Divisions. She joined the District in 2011, first as the Assessment & Accountability Supervisor, then as Director of Assessment & Accountability, before joining the PXU Executive Team as the Executive Director for Technology & Innovation.

Ms. Thea Andrade has served in public education for nearly three decades and as an administrator for over 20 years.  As a former mathematics teacher, she has taught both high school and middle school Algebra. Ms. Andrade earned a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from Northern Arizona University and served as a high school Principal and Director of Quality Schools prior to joining PXU.

Ms. Andrade is passionate about ensuring equitable opportunities and access to quality seats for all students. She is dedicated to the success of all students through the implementation of the PXU Teaching & Learning Framework and the District’s strategic plan.

While a Boston native, she has made Phoenix her home for over 30 years with her son and daughter.  She is passionate about having the privilege and opportunity to shape the future of Arizona, the city of Phoenix, and her local community.

Phoenix Union is an innovative portfolio district, located in the urban core of Phoenix. PXU proudly serves over 28,000 students in grades 9-12 at 24 various high schools in the fifth largest market in the country. In PXU, diversity is a hallmark with 95% minority representation. This includes a Latino population of 81%, and a large refugee population that contributed to the 100+ languages spoken on our campuses.