Best Public Schools in Flagstaff, AZ

The city of Flagstaff, Arizona is home to 27 schools, including 16 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, 8 high schools, and 1 alternative school, all part of the Flagstaff Unified District. While the district is ranked 197 out of 289 in Arizona and rated 2 stars out of 5 by SchoolDigger, the data reveals several standout schools that are outperforming the district and state averages.

Northland Preparatory Academy, a public charter high school, is ranked 24 out of 271 Arizona high schools and rated 5 stars out of 5. It boasts strong academic performance, with 84% of 11th graders proficient or better in English Language Arts and 68% in Mathematics. Similarly, Flagstaff Arts and Leadership Academy, another high-performing public charter school, is ranked 27 out of 271 Arizona high schools and rated 5 stars. It has impressive test scores, with 79% of 11th graders proficient or better in English Language Arts and 46% in Science. Among the elementary schools, Mountain School and Haven Montessori Charter School stand out, ranked 160 and 158 out of 909 and 1,245 Arizona elementary schools, respectively, and both rated 4 stars out of 5.

In contrast, the traditional public schools in the district struggle, with test scores and other metrics varying widely. For example, at Flagstaff High School, only 49% of 11th graders are proficient or better in English Language Arts, compared to the district average of 41% and the state average of 40%. The data suggests that school choice and alternative educational models, such as the high-performing charter schools, may be beneficial for students in Flagstaff, while the traditional public schools in the district require improvement to ensure all students have access to a quality education.