Arizona’s public schools don’t have the greatest reputation. Collectively, they rank 49th in the nation in per-pupil spending and 47th in dropout rate. But that doesn’t mean great schools aren’t still out there.
Read more Hey Phoenix! You are going to die!
Several public schools around the Valley buck the state’s trend, with high graduation rates and many Advanced Placement courses on offer.
U.S. News and World Report ranks the top schools in the state and the country. The publication ranked more than 27,000 schools in every state and Washington, D.C. It factored in how well schools prepare students for college through AP or International Baccalaureate exams, state test scores, the proportion of students who took advanced classes and graduation rates.
While only one Arizona school cracked the national top 100, several Valley public schools fared well compared to others in the state. Plus, multiple Phoenix public schools improved their ranking from last year. Here’s how Phoenix-area public schools rank among the best in the state.
(Note: Phoenix New Times filtered out charter schools for the purposes of this story. Schools with selective enrollment tended to do better than traditional schools in the U.S. News’ rankings, with BASIS Oro Valley ranked as the 15th best school in the county. BASIS schools dominate Arizona’s list of best schools. All but one of the state’s top 12 schools are entirely affiliated with BASIS Charter Schools Inc.)
10. Sandra Day O’Connor High School
National rank: 1,770
State rank: 34
School district: Deer Valley Unified District
This north central Phoenix school boasts an impressive graduation rate, with 99% of its student population walking the stage. Nearly 2,700 students attend the school, and 42% take at least one AP exam.
9. Basha High School
National rank: 1,747
State rank: 33
School district: Chandler Unified School District
Named after the CEO of the popular Arizona grocery store chain, this southeast Chandler high school is known for its cutting-edge cybersecurity program, accelerated middle school tracks and vocational-based programs, according to the school’s website. The school’s nearly 2,500 students have a 94% graduation rate, and 33% pass at least one AP exam.
8. Hamilton High School
National rank: 1,643
State rank: 32
School district: Chandler Unified School District
This school in south Chandler is the “Home of the Huskies,” but also a lot of academic rigor. The large school has nearly 3,500 students and boasts an impressive 94% graduation rate. It offers college-preparatory curriculum, as well as AP, Dual Enrollment and technical education programs, according to its website.
Read more Deporting at-risk migrants home could lead to persecution or torture
7. Chaparral High School
National rank: 1,556
State rank: 31
School district: Scottsdale Unified District
Located in north Scottsdale, Chaparral is known for its rigorous, college-preparatory curriculum, according to its website. Fifty-three percent of students took at least one AP exam, with 41% of its more than 1,700-student body passing one. Four students earned a perfect score on the ACT last year, according to the school’s website.
6. Sunnyslope High School
National rank: 1,551
State rank: 30
School district: Glendale Union High School District
This northern Phoenix high school jumped up a rank in Phoenix’s best public schools list this year. It joined the Glendale school district in 1953, which makes it one of the oldest high schools on this list. More than 2,300 students attend this 9-12 school in Sunnyslope. Ninety-five percent of students graduate.
5. Desert Mountain High School
National rank: 1,437
State rank: 28
School district: Scottsdale Unified District
This northeast Scottsdale school, which opened in 1995, is the newest and best of the six high schools in the Scottsdale Unified School District, according to U.S. News and World Report. Ninety-five percent of Desert Mountain students graduate, and 40% passed at least one AP exam.
4. Phoenix Union Bioscience High School
National rank: 753
State rank: 19
School district: Phoenix Union High School District
This small downtown Phoenix STEM magnet school gives its students a unique educational experience. Bioscience students complete six year-long science courses by the time they graduate. Before their junior year, students choose either the engineering or biomedical pathway. Throughout their educational journey, students must maintain at least a C to remain in good standing and complete a 200-hour capstone internship that relates to their future career, according to the school’s website.
3. Arizona College Prep – Erie Campus
National rank: 325
State rank: 15
School district: Chandler Unified School District
This east Chandler school is one of the larger top public schools in Phoenix, with more than 2,200 students. It’s the district’s first “secondary school-of-choice” and aims to offer students a “safe and personalized touch to learning,” according to its website. It focuses on a rigorous, honors-level curriculum with small class sizes—despite its large student population. The school is not exclusive to academically gifted students and does not have a boundary area. It accepts all students through Arizona’s open enrollment period.
2. University High School – Tolleson
National rank: 163
State rank: 14
School district: Tolleson Union High School District
This West Valley school, often referred to as U-High, has a remarkable 100% AP participation and graduation rate. More than 400 students attend the school. The school has also made less-than-positive headlines after an SRO officer beat up a student. The district ended its SRO partnership with the city’s police department, and the student has since sued over the assault.
- Gilbert Classical Academy High School
National rank: 79
State rank: 13
School district: Gilbert Unified School District
For two years in a row, U.S. News and World Report ranked this public honors school in north Gilbert as the state’s top public school. The school, which focuses on preparing students for college, also broke into the top 100 schools this year. Last year, they fell short with a national ranking of 105. Only 379 students attend the 7th-through-12th-grade school. Students must take AP classes in their upper-class core subject areas, complete a senior thesis project and complete at least 80 hours of community service to graduate. If prospective student applications reach capacity, a lottery system – similar to a charter school – is used.
Read more Disturbing bodycam footage reveals mauling of stroke victim with Pinal County police dog