Best Public Schools in Zip Code 85042

The 85042 zip code area of Phoenix, Arizona is home to 17 schools serving students from elementary through high school, including a mix of traditional public schools, public charter schools, and alternative schools. The schools in this area serve a predominantly Hispanic and African American student population, with many facing challenges related to low test scores, high dropout rates, and high rates of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch.

While some standout schools like AAEC - SMCC Campus, a public charter high school with a 100% graduation rate, and Desert Marigold School, an alternative public charter with a unique demographic and high graduation rate, are performing relatively well, other schools in the area are struggling. South Pointe High School and iAmRSDOnline Academy have very low test scores, high dropout rates, and poor statewide rankings, highlighting the stark disparities in academic performance across the schools in this zip code.

The data suggests a correlation between low socioeconomic status, as indicated by high rates of free/reduced lunch recipients, and poorer academic outcomes, underscoring the need for targeted interventions and additional resources to support these underserved communities. The presence of both traditional public schools and public charter schools in the area provides families with more educational options, but the challenges facing alternative and virtual schools in the 85042 zip code raise questions about the effectiveness of these models in serving the needs of students in this community.