Arizona is the #13 largest school system in the United States, serving 1,108,833 students across the 2,470 public schools for the 2026-27 school year (there are 515 private schools, serving 78,638 students). 93% of all K-12 students in Arizona attend public schools, compared to the national average of 90%.
The percentage of students achieving math proficiency in Arizona is 34%. The percentage of students achieving reading proficiency is 41%.
The top-ranked public schools in Arizona are University High School, Arizona College Prep Middle School, and Gilbert Classical Academy 7-12. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test scores.
Minority enrollment is 67%, with the majority being Hispanic and the student-teacher ratio is 17:1.
Top-Ranked Public Schools in Arizona (2026-27)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Student Proficiency
Grades
Location
Rank: #11.
University High School
(Math: 96% | Reading: 95%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 96% (Top 1%)
Reading: 95% (Top 1%)
Grades: 8-12
421 N Arcadia Ave
Tucson, AZ 85711
(520) 232-5900
Tucson, AZ 85711
(520) 232-5900
Rank: #2 - 32. - 3.
Arizona College Prep Middle School
(Math: 95% | Reading: 90%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 95% (Top 1%)
Reading: 90% (Top 1%)
Grades: 6-8
1150 W Erie St
Chandler, AZ 85224
(480) 883-5400
Chandler, AZ 85224
(480) 883-5400
Rank: #2 - 32. - 3.
Gilbert Classical Academy 7-12
(Math: 88% | Reading: 94%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 88% (Top 1%)
Reading: 94% (Top 1%)
Grades: 7-12
1016 N Burk Street
Gilbert, AZ 85234
(480) 497-4034
Gilbert, AZ 85234
(480) 497-4034
Rank: #44.
Arizona College Prep High School
(Math: 88% | Reading: 90%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 88% (Top 1%)
Reading: 90% (Top 1%)
Grades: 7-12
4477 S Gilbert Rd
Chandler, AZ 85249
(480) 424-8700
Chandler, AZ 85249
(480) 424-8700
Rank: #5 - 65. - 6.
Basis Chandler
Charter School
(Math: 88% | Reading: 87%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 88% (Top 1%)
Reading: 87% (Top 1%)
Grades: 5-12
4825 S Arizona Ave
Chandler, AZ 85248
(480) 907-6072
Chandler, AZ 85248
(480) 907-6072
Rank: #5 - 65. - 6.
Weinberg Gifted Academy
(Math: 87% | Reading: 92%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 87% (Top 1%)
Reading: 92% (Top 1%)
Grades: PK-6
5245 S Val Vista Dr
Gilbert, AZ 85298
(480) 812-6600
Gilbert, AZ 85298
(480) 812-6600
Rank: #77.
Basis Oro Valley
Charter School
(Math: 86% | Reading: 86%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 86% (Top 1%)
Reading: 86% (Top 1%)
Grades: 5-12
11155 N Oracle Rd
Tucson, AZ 85737
(520) 308-5220
Tucson, AZ 85737
(520) 308-5220
Rank: #88.
Chandler Traditional Academy - Independence
(Math: 86% | Reading: 85%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 86% (Top 1%)
Reading: 85% (Top 1%)
Grades: PK-6
1405 W Lake Dr
Chandler, AZ 85248
(480) 224-2700
Chandler, AZ 85248
(480) 224-2700
Rank: #99.
Basis Oro Valley Primary
Charter School
(Math: 89% | Reading: 82%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 89% (Top 1%)
Reading: 82% (Top 5%)
Grades: K-6
11155 N Oracle Rd
Tucson, AZ 85737
(520) 812-5900
Tucson, AZ 85737
(520) 812-5900
Rank: #10 - 1110. - 11.
Basis Chandler Primary - North Campus
Charter School
(Math: 86% | Reading: 84%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 86% (Top 1%)
Reading: 84% (Top 1%)
Grades: K-4
1800 E Chandler Blvd
Chandler, AZ 85225
(480) 798-6447
Chandler, AZ 85225
(480) 798-6447
Overview
This State (AZ)
US
# Schools
2,470 Schools
100,274 Schools
# Students
1,108,833 Students
49,273,234 Students
Showing 2016–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓
Gender %
# Teachers
61,988 Teachers
3,176,846 Teachers
Showing 2016–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓
Student-Teacher Ratio
17:1
15:1
Showing 2016–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓
Student By Grade
State Acdeamy
State Average (AZ)
National Average
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
34%
41%
Showing 2013–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
40%
47%
Showing 2013–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
28%
43%
Graduation Rate
77.8%
87%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓
Eligible for Free Lunch
41%
50%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 22-year historical data available below ↓
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
10%
5%
Showing 2015–2025. Full 22-year historical data available below ↓
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.66
0.71
Showing 2016–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
# American Indian Students
54,344 Students
465,607 Students
% American Indian Students
5%
1%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
# Asian Students
36,608 Students
2,805,284 Students
% Asian Students
3%
6%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
# Hispanic Students
537,257 Students
14,933,108 Students
% Hispanic Students
49%
30%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
# Black Students
64,659 Students
7,261,526 Students
% Black Students
6%
15%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
# White Students
363,037 Students
20,989,144 Students
% White Students
33%
43%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
# Hawaiian Students
3,893 Students
196,826 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
n/a
# Two or more races Students
49,035 Students
2,585,770 Students
% of Two or more races Students
4%
5%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 15-year historical data available below ↓
All Ethnic Groups
State Revenue and Spending
This State (AZ)
Statewide Total Revenue
$16,030 MM
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Statewide Total Spending
$15,378 MM
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Revenue / Student
$14,457
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Spending / Student
$13,869
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Best Arizona Public Schools by County (2026-27)
County
# Schools
# Students
% Minority
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public schools in Arizona?
The top-ranked public schools in Arizona include University High School, Arizona College Prep Middle School, and Gilbert Classical Academy 7-12.
How many public schools are located in Arizona?
2,470 public schools are located in Arizona.
What percentage of students in Arizona go to public school?
93% of all K-12 students in Arizona attend public schools (compared to the national average of 90%).
What is the racial composition of students in Arizona?
Minority enrollment in Arizona is 67%, with the majority being Hispanic.
Which public schools in Arizona are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Arizona include: Pcjted - San Manuel High School vs. Santa Rosa Preschool, Nizhoni Accelerated Academy vs. Hope High School Online, Saca Online vs. Southern Arizona Community Academy
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