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Arizona Charter Academy

Q: Is Arizona Charter Academy a good school?

Arizona Charter Academy ranks 484 th of 909 Arizona alternative schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Public, Charter, Alternative Grades K-12

484^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 909 Arizona Alternative Schools

Better than 47% of Arizona alternative schools

Summary

Arizona Charter Academy is an alternative public charter school located in Surprise, Arizona that serves grades K-12 with an enrollment of 997 students. The school is part of the Success School district.

While Arizona Charter Academy's test scores are generally lower than the state average across various grade levels and subjects, the school spends significantly more per student compared to the state average. In 2021-2022, the school spent $10,734 per student, which is over $2,000 more than the state average. Additionally, the percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch at Arizona Charter Academy has increased from 26.52% in 2021-2022 to 65.99% in 2022-2023, indicating a growing population of economically disadvantaged students. When compared to nearby charter schools like Highland Prep West, Great Hearts Academies - Maryvale Prep, and American Leadership Academy West Foothills K-12, Arizona Charter Academy generally underperforms on test scores, particularly in math.

Over the past 5 years, Arizona Charter Academy has had a 4-year graduation rate ranging from 75.7% to 78.4%, and a dropout rate ranging from 5.2% to 6.1%. These metrics are on par with the nearby charter schools, but still lag behind the state averages. The school's higher spending per student and growing population of economically disadvantaged students may be areas to further investigate to understand the drivers of the school's performance and identify opportunities for improvement.

1,049

Students ?

18.4

Student/teacher ratio ?

$10,734

Per pupil spending ?

66%

Free/discounted lunch ?

16011 N Dysart Rd
Surprise, AZ 85374-4062

(623) 974-4959

District: Success School

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:

68.0%

White:

17.4%

African American:

9.9%

See top rated Arizona elementary schools

Compare Arizona Charter Academy to nearby alternative schools!

At a glance

▬ Ranking trend: Holding steady — 50th percentile in 2021 → 51st in 2025

Worth a look

!Some student groups rank well below the school's overall statewide standing

Students meeting standards (2024-2025) ?

This school35%

District avg35%

Arizona avg36%

Elementary school

484^th of 909

Arizona public elementary schools ?

Bottom 47%▼ down 18 pts since 2015

From top 35% (2015) to bottom 47% (2025)

See the entire ranking list of Arizona Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

Middle school

272^nd of 552

Arizona public middle schools ?

Top 49%▲ up 3 pts since 2015

See the entire ranking list of Arizona Middle Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Elementary school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2025	37.6	484 of 909	46.8%	★★☆☆☆
2024	44.0	444 of 912	51.3%	★★★☆☆
2023	56.1	477 of 1245	61.7%	★★★☆☆
2022	40.8	525 of 1000	47.5%	★★☆☆☆
2021	44.2	607 of 1226	50.5%	★★★☆☆
2019	59.5	404 of 1039	61.1%	★★★☆☆
2018	62.1	393 of 1109	64.6%	★★★☆☆
2017	65.3	364 of 1106	67.1%	★★★☆☆
2016	65.9	348 of 1079	67.7%	★★★☆☆
2015	61.0	335 of 955	64.9%	★★★☆☆
2014	60.3	435 of 1079	59.7%	★★★☆☆
2013	65.0	390 of 1158	66.3%	★★★☆☆
2012	43.0	692 of 1141	39.4%	★★☆☆☆
2011	23.2	893 of 1075	16.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2010	20.3	948 of 1090	13.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2009	25.6	853 of 1062	19.7%	★☆☆☆☆

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2023	55.6	243 of 607	60.0%	★★★☆☆
2021	52.0	299 of 895	66.6%	★★★☆☆

Asian

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2021	47.5	369 of 620	40.5%	★★☆☆☆

English Language Learner

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2023	66.1	115 of 451	74.5%	★★★★☆
2021	52.7	159 of 975	83.7%	★★★★☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2025	26.0	434 of 589	26.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	37.4	373 of 602	38.0%	★★☆☆☆
2023	65.8	367 of 1219	69.9%	★★★☆☆
2022	42.1	499 of 824	39.4%	★★☆☆☆
2021	47.5	566 of 1219	53.6%	★★★☆☆
2019	49.9	403 of 862	53.2%	★★★☆☆
2018	47.9	492 of 1023	51.9%	★★★☆☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2025	41.6	264 of 496	46.8%	★★☆☆☆
2024	46.2	232 of 486	52.3%	★★★☆☆
2023	59.1	404 of 1170	65.5%	★★★☆☆
2022	45.1	395 of 716	44.8%	★★☆☆☆
2021	49.4	518 of 1198	56.8%	★★★☆☆
2019	65.1	218 of 709	69.3%	★★★☆☆
2018	68.8	236 of 911	74.1%	★★★★☆

Homeless

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2023	65.4	27 of 102	73.5%	★★★★☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2025	38.0	307 of 549	44.1%	★★☆☆☆
2024	53.7	214 of 556	61.5%	★★★☆☆
2023	66.5	281 of 1116	74.8%	★★★★☆
2022	43.8	357 of 618	42.2%	★★☆☆☆
2018	68.7	198 of 820	75.9%	★★★★☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2025	19.9	496 of 626	20.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	23.3	478 of 628	23.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	43.6	611 of 1216	49.8%	★★☆☆☆
2021	42.2	640 of 1220	47.5%	★★☆☆☆
2019	53.8	369 of 850	56.6%	★★★☆☆
2018	68.9	312 of 1032	69.8%	★★★☆☆

Multi-racial

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2023	60.7	175 of 617	71.6%	★★★★☆
2022	38.5	313 of 444	29.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	54.6	394 of 1027	61.6%	★★★☆☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2023	43.4	404 of 820	50.7%	★★★☆☆
2021	51.0	415 of 1201	65.4%	★★★☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2025	37.6	310 of 465	33.3%	★★☆☆☆
2024	39.1	314 of 486	35.4%	★★☆☆☆
2023	51.2	481 of 1024	53.0%	★★★☆☆
2022	24.5	666 of 800	16.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	39.4	724 of 1161	37.6%	★★☆☆☆
2019	76.2	101 of 595	83.0%	★★★★☆
2018	56.2	342 of 720	52.5%	★★★☆☆

Middle school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2025	39.7	272 of 552	50.7%	★★★☆☆
2024	32.4	318 of 550	42.2%	★★☆☆☆
2023	42.3	404 of 854	52.7%	★★★☆☆
2022	34.4	347 of 605	42.6%	★★☆☆☆
2021	40.3	420 of 832	49.5%	★★☆☆☆
2019	60.7	213 of 605	64.8%	★★★☆☆
2018	57.3	262 of 711	63.2%	★★★☆☆
2017	60.0	224 of 695	67.8%	★★★☆☆
2016	61.1	215 of 677	68.2%	★★★☆☆
2015	40.5	271 of 521	48.0%	★★☆☆☆
2014	49.0	337 of 690	51.2%	★★★☆☆
2013	40.3	493 of 787	37.4%	★★☆☆☆
2012	28.6	610 of 772	21.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2011	17.0	605 of 685	11.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2010	19.9	593 of 692	14.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2009	21.9	555 of 663	16.3%	★☆☆☆☆

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2023	27.9	294 of 400	26.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	26.9	471 of 573	17.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	53.0	40 of 125	68.0%	★★★☆☆

English Language Learner

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2021	59.6	30 of 606	95.0%	★★★★★

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2025	38.5	215 of 395	45.6%	★★☆☆☆
2024	30.1	243 of 386	37.0%	★★☆☆☆
2023	39.4	423 of 806	47.5%	★★☆☆☆
2022	31.8	327 of 494	33.8%	★★☆☆☆
2021	40.5	423 of 820	48.4%	★★☆☆☆
2019	52.6	199 of 466	57.3%	★★★☆☆
2018	54.5	239 of 624	61.7%	★★★☆☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2025	41.0	172 of 345	50.1%	★★★☆☆
2024	36.1	176 of 329	46.5%	★★☆☆☆
2023	49.9	304 of 760	60.0%	★★★☆☆
2022	39.4	218 of 392	44.4%	★★☆☆☆
2021	47.2	326 of 802	59.4%	★★★☆☆
2019	67.4	95 of 387	75.5%	★★★★☆
2018	67.4	118 of 543	78.3%	★★★★☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2025	41.5	166 of 344	51.7%	★★★☆☆
2024	39.9	155 of 320	51.6%	★★★☆☆
2023	54.0	244 of 717	66.0%	★★★☆☆
2022	45.6	181 of 369	50.9%	★★★☆☆
2018	60.5	144 of 503	71.4%	★★★★☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2025	23.8	274 of 379	27.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	27.4	251 of 370	32.2%	★★☆☆☆
2023	44.1	375 of 810	53.7%	★★★☆☆
2022	43.7	252 of 476	47.1%	★★☆☆☆
2021	40.5	411 of 818	49.8%	★★☆☆☆
2019	59.0	160 of 435	63.2%	★★★☆☆
2018	51.3	239 of 617	61.3%	★★★☆☆

Multi-racial

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2023	34.2	279 of 384	27.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	46.1	131 of 211	37.9%	★★☆☆☆
2021	56.0	240 of 650	63.1%	★★★☆☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2023	82.1	35 of 363	90.4%	★★★★★
2021	35.9	509 of 789	35.5%	★★☆☆☆
2018	32.3	115 of 178	35.4%	★★☆☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2023	37.0	415 of 675	38.5%	★★☆☆☆
2021	45.8	392 of 780	49.7%	★★☆☆☆
2019	87.8	21 of 337	93.8%	★★★★★

High school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2017	44.6	168 of 416	59.6%	★★★☆☆
2016	29.6	242 of 406	40.4%	★★☆☆☆
2015	31.4	165 of 261	36.8%	★★☆☆☆
2014	41.2	243 of 394	38.3%	★★☆☆☆
2013	57.7	228 of 491	53.6%	★★★☆☆
2012	26.9	345 of 471	26.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2011	37.9	240 of 397	39.5%	★★☆☆☆
2010	32.1	275 of 403	31.8%	★★☆☆☆
2009	26.8	276 of 395	30.1%	★★☆☆☆

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

Elementary school

English Language Learner (2023)75th percentile+13 vs school

Homeless (2023)74th percentile+12 vs school

Multi-racial (2023)72nd percentile+10 vs school

African American (2023)60th percentile~ school

Special Education (2023)51st percentile-11 vs school

Hispanic (2025)47th percentile~ school

Low Socio Economic Status (2025)44th percentile-3 vs school

Asian (2021)40th percentile-10 vs school

White (2025)33rd percentile-13 vs school

Female (2025)26th percentile-20 vs school

Male (2025)21st percentile-26 vs school

Middle school

English Language Learner (2021)95th percentile+46 vs school

Special Education (2023)90th percentile+38 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2025)52nd percentile~ school

Hispanic (2025)50th percentile~ school

Female (2025)46th percentile-5 vs school

White (2023)39th percentile-14 vs school

Male (2025)28th percentile-23 vs school

Multi-racial (2023)27th percentile-25 vs school

African American (2023)26th percentile-26 vs school

By subject vs Arizona (2024-2025) ?

Mathematics36%+3 vs state

English Language Arts36%-5 vs state

Science28%-4 vs state

3.0

2 ratings · 2 written reviews

5★1

4★0

3★0

2★0

1★1

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What people are saying

by a parent
Friday, September 16, 2022

The worse school. I was a former student as well. I made the mistake of sending my son there. Incompetent staff who are barely qualified to work there. Nepotism. Staff who refuse to return any calls. From beginning to now soon the end this has been the most unpleasant experience. Keep your children away from this garbage school. Close Quote

by a parent
Thursday, March 31, 2016

This is a wonderful school. My children are very happy and teachers hold very high expectations for students. Staff is very conscientious and caring about student's needs and academics. A+ school! Close Quote

Schools Near Arizona Charter Academy

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking ()				Ranking ()				AASA English Language Arts (2025)							AASA Mathematics (2025)							AzSCI Science (2025)			Per Pupil Expenditures (2022)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score ()	Statewide Rank ()	State Percentile ()	SchoolDigger Rating ()	Average Standard Score ()	Statewide Rank ()	State Percentile ()	Rank Change from Previous Year	AASA English Language Arts 3rd Grade	AASA English Language Arts 4th Grade	AASA English Language Arts 5th Grade	AASA English Language Arts 6th Grade	AASA English Language Arts 7th Grade	AASA English Language Arts 8th Grade	AASA English Language Arts 11th Grade	AASA Mathematics 3rd Grade	AASA Mathematics 4th Grade	AASA Mathematics 5th Grade	AASA Mathematics 6th Grade	AASA Mathematics 7th Grade	AASA Mathematics 8th Grade	AASA Mathematics 11th Grade	AzSCI Science 5th Grade	AzSCI Science 8th Grade	AzSCI Science 11th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures: Total	Personnel Spending from Federal Funds	Non-Personnel Spending from Federal Funds	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Personnel Spending from State and Local Funds	Non-Personnel from State and Local Funds	Sub-total Spending from State and Local Funds
Arizona Charter Academy	Public, Charter, Alternative	K-12	16011 N Dysart Rd	Surprise	85374	Maricopa County	Success School	Yes	(n/a)	No	Yes	(623) 974-4959	1,049	57	18.4		183 (17.4%)	104 (9.9%)	713 (68.0%)	12 (1.1%)	3 (0.3%)	1 (0.1%)	33 (3.1%)								(n/a)	34.0	32.0	27.0	41.0	39.0	41.0		38.0	52.0	39.0	42.0	22.0	25.0		26.0	29.0		$10,734	$1,371	$1,942	$4,684	$5,475	$1,946	$7,421
American Leadership Academy West Foothills K-12	Public, Charter, Alternative	K-12	14582 N. Sarival Ave	Surprise	85388	Maricopa County	American Leadership Academy Inc.	Yes	(n/a)	No	No	(480) 861-1320	2,276	134	16.9		1,552 (68.2%)	62 (2.7%)	447 (19.6%)	21 (0.9%)	9 (0.4%)	17 (0.7%)	168 (7.4%)								(n/a)	57.0	61.0	62.0	77.0	53.0	45.0	62.0	68.0	58.0	64.0	75.0	32.0	36.0	50.0	57.0	46.0	30.0
Westland School Brighton Campus	Public, Charter, Alternative	K-12	8632 W Northern Ave	Glendale	85305	Maricopa County	Cholla Academy	Yes	(n/a)	No	Yes	(623) 271-9518	308	24	13.0		72 (23.4%)	40 (13.0%)	169 (54.9%)	2 (0.6%)	3 (1.0%)	4 (1.3%)	18 (5.8%)								(n/a)		37.0				52.0			40.0									$7,362	$393	$129	$915	$4,788	$2,051	$6,840
Peoria eCampus	Public, Virtual, Alternative	K-12	6625 W. Cholla	Peoria	85304	Maricopa County	Peoria Unified School District	No	(n/a)	Yes	No	(623) 412-5344	130	1	130.0		62 (47.7%)	11 (8.5%)	49 (37.7%)	1 (0.8%)	2 (1.5%)	0 (0.0%)	5 (3.8%)								(n/a)						46.0	55.0											$7,398	$51	$00	$102	$6,378	$969	$7,347
Desert Heights Charter School	Public, Charter, Alternative	K-12	5821 W Beverly Ln	Glendale	85306	Maricopa County	Desert Heights Charter Schools	Yes	(n/a)	No	Yes	(602) 896-2900	868	58	15.0		436 (50.2%)	47 (5.4%)	302 (34.8%)	12 (1.4%)	7 (0.8%)	3 (0.3%)	61 (7.0%)								(n/a)	33.0	44.0	24.0	42.0	44.0	37.0	66.0	42.0	31.0	40.0	26.0	32.0	41.0	51.0	33.0	27.0	25.0	$10,891	$1,199	$773	$3,171	$6,647	$2,272	$8,919
Sunflower School	Public, Alternative	PK, KG-12	5490 W Paradise Ln	Glendale	85306	Maricopa County	Peoria Unified School District	No	(n/a)	No	No	(623) 412-5050	21	3	7.0		7 (33.3%)	0 (0.0%)	10 (47.6%)	1 (4.8%)	2 (9.5%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (4.8%)								(n/a)																			$00			$00
Great Hearts Academies - Archway Trivium	Public, Charter, Alternative	K-12	2001 N Bullard Ave	Goodyear	85395	Maricopa County	Archway Classical Academy Trivium West	Yes	(n/a)	No	No	(623) 414-4883	895	50	17.9		288 (32.2%)	54 (6.0%)	391 (43.7%)	94 (10.5%)	5 (0.6%)	5 (0.6%)	58 (6.5%)								(n/a)	50.0	61.0	51.0					62.0	59.0	62.0					44.0				$00			$00
Westland School	Public, Charter, Alternative	K-12	4141 N 67th Ave	Phoenix	85033	Maricopa County	Cholla Academy	Yes	(n/a)	No	Yes	(623) 247-6456	215	18	12.0		16 (7.4%)	29 (13.5%)	151 (70.2%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (1.4%)	4 (1.9%)	12 (5.6%)								(n/a)																		$9,787	$461	$143	$1,065	$7,331	$1,852	$9,183
Highland Prep West	Public, Charter, Alternative	9-11	12235 W Van Buren St	Avondale	85323	Maricopa County	Madison Highland Prep Phoenix	Yes	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(623) 414-0811	423	17	24.8		72 (17.0%)	51 (12.1%)	269 (63.6%)	15 (3.5%)	4 (0.9%)	5 (1.2%)	7 (1.7%)								(n/a)							38.0							38.0			33.0
Great Hearts Academies - Maryvale Prep	Public, Charter, Alternative	K-12	4825 W Camelback Rd	Phoenix	85031	Maricopa County	Maryvale Preparatory Academy	Yes	(n/a)	No	Yes	(623) 324-7609	1,192	81	14.7		54 (4.5%)	55 (4.6%)	1,025 (86.0%)	34 (2.9%)	4 (0.3%)	1 (0.1%)	19 (1.6%)								(n/a)	25.0	35.0	33.0	23.0	39.0	29.0		36.0	33.0	35.0	14.0	30.0	17.0	29.0	29.0				$00			$00

Frequently Asked Questions about Arizona Charter Academy

What district is Arizona Charter Academy in?

Success School

How many students attend Arizona Charter Academy?

In the 2024-25 school year, 1,049 students attended Arizona Charter Academy.

Is Arizona Charter Academy a good school?

Arizona Charter Academy ranks 484^th of 909 Arizona alternative schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

What is the racial makeup of Arizona Charter Academy?

Students at Arizona Charter Academy are 68% Hispanic, 17% White, 10% African American, 3% Two or more races, 1% Asian.

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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Arizona Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.