Arizona is the #13 largest school system in the United States, serving 1,111,369 students across the 2,487 public schools for the 2026 school year (there are 475 private schools, serving 69,220 students). 94% 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)
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
2,487 Schools
100,525 Schools
# Students
1,111,369 Students
49,339,277 Students
Gender %
# Teachers
62,202 Teachers
3,180,552 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
17:1
15:1
Student By Grade
State Acdeamy
State Average (AZ)
National Average
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
34%
41%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
40%
47%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
28%
43%
Graduation Rate
77%
87%
Eligible for Free Lunch
41%
50%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
10%
5%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.66
0.71
# American Indian Students
54,644 Students
466,525 Students
% American Indian Students
5%
1%
# Asian Students
36,694 Students
2,807,520 Students
% Asian Students
3%
6%
# Hispanic Students
538,438 Students
14,955,622 Students
% Hispanic Students
49%
30%
# Black Students
64,818 Students
7,274,090 Students
% Black Students
6%
15%
# White Students
363,709 Students
21,014,271 Students
% White Students
33%
43%
# Hawaiian Students
3,903 Students
196,971 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
n/a
# Two or more races Students
49,163 Students
2,588,398 Students
% of Two or more races Students
4%
5%
All Ethnic Groups
State Revenue and Spending
This State (AZ)
Total Revenue (24-25)
$12,837 MM
Spending (24-25)
$12,727 MM
Revenue / Student (24-25)
$11,551
Spending / Student (24-25)
$11,452
Best Arizona Public Schools by County (2026)
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?
2,487 public schools are located in Arizona.
What percentage of students in Arizona go to public school?
94% 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, Blue Ridge High School vs. Show Low High School, Desert Horizon Elementary School vs. Pendergast Elementary School
Recent Articles
When “Free Public School” Still Isn’t Free
Discover the hidden costs of public school in 2026, from supplies and fees to transportation, technology, and extracurricular expenses.
What a District Budget Cut Means for Your Child's School Experience
Learn how district budget cuts can affect class sizes, programs, staffing, transportation, and your child's daily school experience in 2026.
School Closure Risk: What Parents Should Check Before Moving
Learn how parents can assess school closure risk before buying or renting in a district, using enrollment, funding, and boundary data.
