For the 2026 school year, there are 1311 public schools serving 746,442 students in Maricopa County, AZ (there are 303 private schools, serving 45,811 private students). 94% of all K-12 students in Maricopa County, AZ are educated in public schools (compared to the AZ state average of 94%).
The top-ranked public schools in Maricopa County, AZ are Arizona College Prep Middle School, Gilbert Classical Academy 7-12 and Knox Gifted Academy. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Maricopa County, AZ public schools have an average math proficiency score of 37% (versus the Arizona public school average of 34%), and reading proficiency score of 43% (versus the 41% statewide average). Schools in Maricopa County have an average ranking of 10/10, which is in the top 10% of Arizona public schools.
Minority enrollment is 65% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Arizona public school average of 67% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Maricopa County (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #1 - 21. - 2.
Arizona College Prep Middle School
(Math: 95% | Reading: 90%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
1150 W Erie St
Chandler, AZ 85224
(480) 883-5400
Chandler, AZ 85224
(480) 883-5400
Gr: 6-8 | 907 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 80%
Rank: #1 - 21. - 2.
Gilbert Classical Academy 7-12
(Math: 88% | Reading: 94%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
1016 N Burk Street
Gilbert, AZ 85234
(480) 497-4034
Gilbert, AZ 85234
(480) 497-4034
Gr: 7-12 | 572 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 58%
Rank: #33.
Knox Gifted Academy
(Math: 90% | Reading: 97% )
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
700 W Orchid Ln
Chandler, AZ 85225
(480) 812-6100
Chandler, AZ 85225
(480) 812-6100
Gr: PK-6 | 653 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 70%
Rank: #44.
Arizona College Prep High School
(Math: 88% | Reading: 90%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
4477 S Gilbert Rd
Chandler, AZ 85249
(480) 424-8700
Chandler, AZ 85249
(480) 424-8700
Gr: 7-12 | 2,271 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 61%
Rank: #5 - 65. - 6.
Basis Chandler
Charter School
(Math: 88% | Reading: 87%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
4825 S Arizona Ave
Chandler, AZ 85248
(480) 907-6072
Chandler, AZ 85248
(480) 907-6072
Gr: 5-12 | 1,185 student Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 92%
Rank: #5 - 65. - 6.
Weinberg Gifted Academy
(Math: 87% | Reading: 92%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
5245 S Val Vista Dr
Gilbert, AZ 85298
(480) 812-6600
Gilbert, AZ 85298
(480) 812-6600
Gr: PK-6 | 741 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 51%
Rank: #77.
Chandler Traditional Academy - Independence
(Math: 86% | Reading: 85%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
1405 W Lake Dr
Chandler, AZ 85248
(480) 224-2700
Chandler, AZ 85248
(480) 224-2700
Gr: PK-6 | 796 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 82%
Rank: #8 - 98. - 9.
Basis Chandler Primary - North Campus
Charter School
(Math: 86% | Reading: 84%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
1800 E Chandler Blvd
Chandler, AZ 85225
(480) 798-6447
Chandler, AZ 85225
(480) 798-6447
Gr: K-4 | 619 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 85%
Rank: #8 - 98. - 9.
Basis Scottsdale
Charter School
(Math: 86% | Reading: 84%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
10400 N 128th St
Scottsdale, AZ 85259
(480) 451-7500
Scottsdale, AZ 85259
(480) 451-7500
Gr: 4-12 | 1,023 student Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 73%
Rank: #1010.
Mesa Academy For Advanced Studies
(Math: 82% | Reading: 94%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
6919 E Brown Rd
Mesa, AZ 85207
(480) 308-7400
Mesa, AZ 85207
(480) 308-7400
Gr: 4-9 | 379 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 36%
Rank: #1111.
Basis Phoenix
Charter School
(Math: 83% | Reading: 87%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
13231 N 22nd Street
Phoenix, AZ 85022
(602) 595-9870
Phoenix, AZ 85022
(602) 595-9870
Gr: 5-12 | 781 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 82%
Rank: #12 - 1312. - 13.
Fireside Elementary School
(Math: 84% | Reading: 85%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
3725 E. Love Cactus Drive
Phoenix, AZ 85032
(602) 449-4700
Phoenix, AZ 85032
(602) 449-4700
Gr: PK-6 | 693 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 37%
Rank: #12 - 1312. - 13.
Franklin Accelerated Academy - Brimhall Campus
(Math: 85% | Reading: 84%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
4949 E Southern Ave
Mesa, AZ 85206
(480) 472-2600
Mesa, AZ 85206
(480) 472-2600
Gr: PK-6 | 889 students Student-teacher ratio: 25:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
Rank: #1414.
Evit - Arizona College Prep Erie Campus
Vocational School
(Math: ≥90% | Reading: ≥90% )
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
1150 W Erie St
Chandler, AZ 85224
(480) 461-4000
Chandler, AZ 85224
(480) 461-4000
Gr: 9-12
Rank: #1515.
Basis Peoria Primary
Charter School
(Math: 88% | Reading: 80%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
25950 N Lake Pleasant Pkwy
Peoria, AZ 85383
(623) 251-1504
Peoria, AZ 85383
(623) 251-1504
Gr: K-4 | 696 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 82%
Rank: #1616.
Franklin Junior High School
(Math: 81% | Reading: 88%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
4949 E Southern Ave
Mesa, AZ 85206
(480) 472-8990
Mesa, AZ 85206
(480) 472-8990
Gr: 7-9 | 288 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 38%
Rank: #17 - 1817. - 18.
Basis Chandler Primary- South Campus
Charter School
(Math: 85% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
204 W. Chandler Heights Rd.
Chandler, AZ 85248
(480) 494-2200
Chandler, AZ 85248
(480) 494-2200
Gr: K-5 | 488 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 94%
Rank: #17 - 1817. - 18.
Great Hearts Academies - Archway Chandler
Charter School
(Math: 86% | Reading: 81%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
1951 N Alma School Rd
Phoenix, AZ 85034
(480) 855-6474
Phoenix, AZ 85034
(480) 855-6474
Gr: K-12 | 536 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 56%
Rank: #19 - 2019. - 20.
Basis Scottsdale Primary - East Campus
Charter School
(Math: 81% | Reading: 86%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
7214 E Jenan Dr
Scottsdale, AZ 85260
(480) 391-1099
Scottsdale, AZ 85260
(480) 391-1099
Gr: K-5 | 489 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 68%
Rank: #19 - 2019. - 20.
Great Hearts Academies - Archway Lincoln
Charter School
(Math: 86% | Reading: 80%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
701 N 44th St
Phoenix, AZ 85008
(480) 424-1798
Phoenix, AZ 85008
(480) 424-1798
Gr: K-5 | 712 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 62%
Rank: #21 - 2221. - 22.
Basis Scottsdale Primary - West Campus
Charter School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
7496 E Tierra Buena Ln
Scottsdale, AZ 85258
(480) 900-1858
Scottsdale, AZ 85258
(480) 900-1858
Gr: K-4 | 464 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 81%
Rank: #21 - 2221. - 22.
Neely Traditional Academy
(Math: 79% | Reading: 86%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
500 E Houston Ave
Gilbert, AZ 85234
(480) 892-2805
Gilbert, AZ 85234
(480) 892-2805
Gr: PK-6 | 805 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 49%
Rank: #2323.
Cherokee Elementary School
(Math: 85% | Reading: 80%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
8801 N 56th St
Paradise Valley, AZ 85253
(480) 484-8700
Paradise Valley, AZ 85253
(480) 484-8700
Gr: PK-5 | 690 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
Rank: #2424.
Basis Ahwatukee
Charter School
(Math: 86% | Reading: 77%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
10210 S 50th Pl
Phoenix, AZ 85044
(480) 659-2294
Phoenix, AZ 85044
(480) 659-2294
Gr: 4-12 | 661 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 85%
Rank: #2525.
Sonoran Sky Elementary School
(Math: 84% | Reading: 79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
12990 N 75th St
Phoenix, AZ 85032
(602) 449-6500
Phoenix, AZ 85032
(602) 449-6500
Gr: PK-6 | 567 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
Rank: #2626.
Basis Peoria
Charter School
(Math: 83% | Reading: 79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
9902 W Yearling Rd
Peoria, AZ 85383
(623) 566-9100
Peoria, AZ 85383
(623) 566-9100
Gr: 5-12 | 1,021 student Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 88%
Rank: #2727.
Bright Beginnings School #1
Charter School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
400 N Andersen Blvd
Chandler, AZ 85224
(480) 821-1404
Chandler, AZ 85224
(480) 821-1404
Gr: K-6 | 199 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 40%
Rank: #2828.
University High School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: ≥95%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
9419 W Van Buren St
Tolleson, AZ 85353
(623) 478-4380
Tolleson, AZ 85353
(623) 478-4380
Gr: 9-12 | 416 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 93%
Rank: #29 - 3029. - 30.
Challenger Basic School
Charter School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
1315 N Greenfield Rd
Gilbert, AZ 85234
(480) 830-1750
Gilbert, AZ 85234
(480) 830-1750
Gr: K-6 | 274 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
Rank: #29 - 3029. - 30.
Cheyenne Traditional School
(Math: 81% | Reading: 78%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
13636 N 100th St
Scottsdale, AZ 85260
(480) 484-5600
Scottsdale, AZ 85260
(480) 484-5600
Gr: PK-8 | 953 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Rank: #3131.
Katherine Mecham Barney Elementary School
(Math: 76% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
19684 S. 225th Pl
Queen Creek, AZ 85142
(480) 987-7490
Queen Creek, AZ 85142
(480) 987-7490
Gr: PK-6 | 908 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 29%
Rank: #32 - 3332. - 33.
Bridges Elementary School
(Math: 79% | Reading: 79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
5205 S Soboba St
Gilbert, AZ 85298
(480) 279-8700
Gilbert, AZ 85298
(480) 279-8700
Gr: K-6 | 770 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
Rank: #32 - 3332. - 33.
Khalsa Montessori Elementary School - Phoenix
Charter School
(Math: 70-79% | Reading: 80-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
2536 N 3rd St
Phoenix, AZ 85004
(602) 252-3759
Phoenix, AZ 85004
(602) 252-3759
Gr: K-8 | 118 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 50%
Rank: #3434.
Madison Traditional Academy
(Math: 81% | Reading: 77%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
925 E Maryland Ave
Phoenix, AZ 85014
(602) 745-4000
Phoenix, AZ 85014
(602) 745-4000
Gr: K-8 | 760 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 43%
Rank: #3535.
Vista Del Sur Accelerated
(Math: 74% | Reading: 84%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
3908 W South Mountain Rd
Laveen, AZ 85339
(602) 237-3046
Laveen, AZ 85339
(602) 237-3046
Gr: PK-8 | 893 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 83%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public schools in Maricopa County, AZ?
The top-ranked public schools in Maricopa County, AZ include Arizona College Prep Middle School, Gilbert Classical Academy 7-12 and Knox Gifted Academy.
How many public schools are located in Maricopa County?
1,304 public schools are located in Maricopa County.
What percentage of students in Maricopa County go to public school?
94% of all K-12 students in Maricopa County are educated in public schools (compared to the AZ state average of 94%).
What is the racial composition of students in Maricopa County?
Maricopa County public schools minority enrollment is 65% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Arizona public schools average of 67% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in Maricopa County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Maricopa County include: Desert Horizon Elementary School vs. Pendergast Elementary School, Pendergast Elementary School vs. Desert Horizon Elementary School, Buckeye Union High School vs. Youngker High School
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