Best Public Schools in Phoenix, AZ

The city of Phoenix, Arizona is home to 426 schools, including 256 elementary schools, 45 middle schools, 100 high schools, and 25 alternative schools. These schools serve a diverse student population and span a range of academic performance levels.

Some of the standout schools in the area include Desert Vista High School, which ranked 39th out of 270 Arizona high schools and received a 4-star rating, with strong performance across several metrics. Pinnacle High School also ranked highly at 52nd out of 270 Arizona high schools and received a 4-star rating, with impressive test scores. On the other hand, schools like South Mountain High School and Alhambra High School had lower test scores and performance levels.

The data reveals significant disparities in academic performance between the highest and lowest-performing schools. For example, BASIS Phoenix, a charter high school, had exceptional test scores with 93% proficiency in science, 97% proficiency in English Language Arts, and 98% proficiency in math for 11th graders, while other schools like Alhambra High School had only 5% proficiency in 11th grade science. Additionally, schools within higher-ranked Deer Valley Unified and Scottsdale Unified districts tended to have stronger overall performance compared to schools in lower-ranked districts like Cartwright Elementary and Creighton Elementary.