January 12, 2023
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Want to move to a city where your kids will thrive? That place might just be Phoenix! Arizona’s state capital, Phoenix, has the fifth-highest population in the country. It also offers a highly rated education system, great weather, abundant job opportunities, and much more. 

So, what are the schools like in Phoenix? Today, we’re going to dive into all you should know. Stay tuned to find out what the best schools in Phoenix, AZ, are and where are some good options you could send your kids this upcoming school year. 

A house in Downtown Phoenix

How do you find the best schools in Phoenix?

Moves can be stressful at times, especially if you’re moving with children and haven’t narrowed down schools yet. Finding the right school for your kiddos depends on a few things (e.g., whether you want to enroll them in a public or private school).

Let’s say public school is up your alley. If so, there are 285 public school districts in the area, so you have quite a few options. When it comes to private schools, you’ll find that there are 553 to choose from. To narrow down the many choices for schools to the best schools in Phoenix, here are some things to think about: 

  • What percentage of seniors graduate each year?
  • How do the math and reading proficiencies compare to the rest of the state?
  • What are the general rankings for classes, teachers, and such? 

Now that we’ve covered some of the main questions you’ll need to look into before deciding on a school in Phoenix, let’s talk more about the school systems as a whole. 

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How are public schools in Phoenix?

Phoenix schools are found in the top half of public schools in the state. As of the most recent school year, the high-school graduation rate for public schools in Arizona is 78%. The graduation rate in Phoenix varies by year and school, with the last reported graduation rate being 81.5%. (Typically, it sticks around 80%.)

The math proficiency in the Phoenix public school system is 41%, which is just below the state average (45%). As for reading, roughly 42% of public school students are proficient, again just below the state average (also 45%). 

If you’re strongly considering a relocation to Phoenix, there are a plethora of good potential schools for kids of all ages. It’s always helpful to check out the schools in your target part of the city or suburb so that you can get a better idea of what is available there before signing any dotted lines. That’s because you’re a little more limited in schools if you go the public school route since your options are usually determined by your physical location in the city. 

Students huddled around a laptop

Top-rated public schools in Phoenix

These are a handful of Phoenix’s best public schools: 

Best Elementary Schools in Phoenix, Arizona:

Best Middle Schools in Phoenix, Arizona:

Best High Schools in Phoenix, Arizona:

What private schools are in Phoenix?

As mentioned above, Phoenix offers hundreds of private schools ranging from elementary to high school. Below, you will find some of the city’s leading private schools with their respective rankings: 

…And if you want more choices, check out these schools, which also are some of the best private schools in Phoenix and the surrounding cities: 

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What are suburban Phoenix schools like?

As is the case with most suburbs, Phoenix suburbs have top-rated schools with various opportunities for kids of all ages to try out new extracurricular activities and classes. They also help students prepare for college as much as possible and encourage them to challenge themselves. 

Why are suburban schools in Phoenix so great? On top of the reasons mentioned above, suburban schools generally have smaller class sizes, which means that students get more one-on-one attention and a wonderful learning experience. 

One of the best Phoenix suburbs for schools is Paradise Valley. Of this city, a resident says, “My husband and I love where we live in Paradise Valley. Great schools , community, very family friendly.” She also goes on to add, “Uber rides can be taken central location not much to walk to aside from restaurants around PV Mall.” 

What suburbs have particularly good school systems?

When it comes to the best suburbs for schools in Phoenix, AZ, you can’t go wrong with Sun Lakes, Gilbert, or Chandler. These three suburbs have top-rated schools and amenities for families that make them some of the best places to live in the city of Phoenix. 

We’ll kick things off with Sun Lakes. According to current residents, this city offers many places to walk your dogs, upscale landscaping, and a quiet and family-friendly atmosphere. It’s also not hard to find parking, which is a huge plus for those commuting to work. The public schools also get an A+. 

Moving onto Gilbert, this is another top-rated suburb, which is considered the leading suburb to raise kids in throughout Phoenix. Nicknamed the “Hay Shipping Capital of the World,” this city is known for growing quickly and being the country’s biggest town. It also offers A-rated public schools, giving you confidence that your kids will have a good place to attend if you choose to move there. 

Third up is Chandler. Reports call it Phoenix’s best suburb to call home, and it helps that the city has both A+ public schools and is known for having plenty of activities for kids. One resident says, “[There is] lots to do. Water parks, desert breeze park, the zoo, botanical gardens. There was mountainous hiking not too far away, 3D glow in the dark mini golf, ice rink, skating rinks, etc.” When you combine that with good schools, Chandler sounds like a great place to live!

What are the best school districts in Phoenix?

Here are a few of the top school districts in the Phoenix area: 

Chandler Unified School District No. 80

What’s the city’s best school district overall? That would be the Chandler Unified School District No. 80, according to Niche. This school district, which has 43,790 students between grades PK and K-12, gets an A in all areas, from academics to clubs and activities. The math proficiency is 57%, and the reading proficiency is 59%. 

Gilbert Public Schools

Roughly 32,661 students attend Gilbert Public Schools when you combine grades PK and K-12. This school district prides itself on offering both AP classes and gifted programs, as well as A-rated academics, college prep, and more. About 57% of students are math proficient, and 59% are reading proficient. 

Scottsdale Unified School District

At this school district, you’ll find great academic ratings, top-notch teachers, and numerous clubs and activities. The student population is 21,496 between grades PK and K-12. Both the math and reading proficiency levels are 63%.

Good luck with your school search

Now that you know some of the best schools in Phoenix–and how to narrow them down–we hope finding a school for your kids feels less stressful. If you end up moving to the Valley of the Sun, feel free to reach out at your convenience for help with moving. We’re experienced local and long-distance movers in Phoenix who are ready to lend a hand when you need us. 

Book a move online today.

Tyler Brown
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