Arizona isn’t particularly well-known for having the best education system. We are frequently the butt of jokes and the leadership in the state’s Department of Education leaves a lot to be desired. However, I can attest that as someone who previously worked in and with public schools, schools make the best situation possible with the resources they are given. So, instead, let’s focus on the positives!
Here are several Arizona cities that have some of the best schools in the state. The data was compiled from School Digger (a database that profiles educational information for parents) and the Best High Schools Ranking from U.S. News in order to create this list. We selected cities with more than two schools and ordered them alphabetically. Check it out!
- Anthem
Wikimedia Commons Anthem ranked number six on School Digger’s list and Boulder Creek High School was ranked number 26 in the top high schools in Arizona.
- Cave Creek
Steven S./Flickr Although the city’s school district is small enough to not have a high school, it’s still one of the top locations for kids in elementary school. Cave Creek was ranked number one on School Digger’s website based on their yearly test scores.
- Oro Valley
Wikimedia Commons One of two high schools in this small city, Canyon del Oro High School ranked number 15 in the state.
- Paradise Valley
Wikimedia Commons Paradise Valley came in at number seven on the School Digger’s list with three of its schools performing significantly better in exams than other state schools.
- Phoenix
Asten/Flickr Phoenix makes this list because of the number of top performing schools throughout the city. This includes Pinnacle High School (number 11 in the state), Horizon Community Learning Center (ranked number 13), and Thunderbird High School (ranked number 19 in the state).
- Queen Creek
Robert Couse-Baker/Flickr Queen Creek was ranked number 13 by School Digger, with 11 of its schools in the top 30% of all schools in Arizona. Good job, Queen Creek!
- Saint David
Brian Lockwood/Flickr This tiny community in southeastern Arizona only has three schools but they performed well enough on state exams to be ranked number 12 on School Digger’s website.
- Scottsdale
Dru Bloomfield/Flickr Scottsdale ranks as number 11 on the School Digger website so it’s no surprise the city also hosts 4 top-25 Arizona high schools. This includes BASIS Scottsdale, which is ranked number 1 in the state and number 2 in the country. Scottsdale also had 3 other schools in the state’s top 25 list. Wow!
So, did your city make the list for one of the top locations for amazing schools? Let us know what you thought of the results!
Wikimedia Commons
Anthem ranked number six on School Digger’s list and Boulder Creek High School was ranked number 26 in the top high schools in Arizona.
Steven S./Flickr
Although the city’s school district is small enough to not have a high school, it’s still one of the top locations for kids in elementary school. Cave Creek was ranked number one on School Digger’s website based on their yearly test scores.
One of two high schools in this small city, Canyon del Oro High School ranked number 15 in the state.
Paradise Valley came in at number seven on the School Digger’s list with three of its schools performing significantly better in exams than other state schools.
Asten/Flickr
Phoenix makes this list because of the number of top performing schools throughout the city. This includes Pinnacle High School (number 11 in the state), Horizon Community Learning Center (ranked number 13), and Thunderbird High School (ranked number 19 in the state).
Robert Couse-Baker/Flickr
Queen Creek was ranked number 13 by School Digger, with 11 of its schools in the top 30% of all schools in Arizona. Good job, Queen Creek!
Brian Lockwood/Flickr
This tiny community in southeastern Arizona only has three schools but they performed well enough on state exams to be ranked number 12 on School Digger’s website.
Dru Bloomfield/Flickr
Scottsdale ranks as number 11 on the School Digger website so it’s no surprise the city also hosts 4 top-25 Arizona high schools. This includes BASIS Scottsdale, which is ranked number 1 in the state and number 2 in the country. Scottsdale also had 3 other schools in the state’s top 25 list. Wow!
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