Combining your desired lifestyle and budget with the best education options for your child(ren) is a critical part of your home-buying decision. We provide multiple sources of information to research the Phoenix Metropolitan Area schools, districts and the laws and statistics which may influence your decision.
Please note that the various grade levels in Arizona are split differently depending upon city areas. Some cities have separate elementary and high school districts while others have unified school districts. Some elementary school systems include grades K through 8 while others maintain junior high schools of grades 7 through 9 and high schools of grades 10, 11 and 12. Below is a list of all of the school districts in the greater Phoenix-metro area.
GreatSchools Interactive Maps
Locate and map nearby elementary, middle, and high schools and then view detailed ratings, reviews, and test scores from GreatSchools.com.
Phoenix Schools
Scottsdale Schools
Paradise Valley Schools
Tempe Schools
Carefree Schools
Cave Creek Schools
Fountain Hills Schools
Rio Verde Schools
Mesa Schools
Chandler Schools
Gilbert Schools
Queen Creek Schools
San Tan Valley Schools
Apache Junction Schools
Florence Schools
Case Grande Schools
Maricopa Schools
Glendale Schools
Peoria Schools
Surprise Schools
Anthem Schools
Avondale Schools
Litchfield Park Schools
Tollesin Schools
Laveen Schools
Goodyear Schools
Buckeye Schools
District Links
Unified School Districts – Public
Scottsdale Unified School District
Paradise Valley Unified School District
Chandler Unified School District – located in the Southeastern part of the Phoenix metropolitan area. Serves 38,000 students. Encompasses 80 square miles, though not all of the City of Chandler.
Fountain Hills Unified School District
Gilbert Unified School District – serves 39,000 students.
Higley Unified School District
Deer Valley Unified School District
Dysart Unified School District – serving part of El Mirage, Glendale, Surprise, Youngtown and Maricopa County in the Northwest Valley. Serves 24,00 students. Encompasses 140 square miles.
Cave Creek Unified School District
Peoria Unified School District
Queen Creek Unified School District
J.O Combs Unified School District – serving San Tan Valley and the surrounding community. Serves 4,200 students.
Maricopa Unified School District
Apache Junction Unified School District
Elementary School Districts – Public
Alahambra Elementary School District - Phoenix
Avondale Elementary School District
Balsz Elementary School District - Phoenix
Buckeye Elementary School District
Cartwright School District - Phoenix
Creighton School District - Phoenix
Fowler Elementary School District - Phoenix
Glendale Elementary School District
Isaac School District - Phoenix
Kyrene School District - serving parts of Chandler, Tempe, Guadalupe, Phoenix, and the Gila River Indian Reservation
Laveen Elementary School District
Liberty Elementary School District - Buckeye
Litchfield Elementary School District
Littleton Elementary School District - Avondale
Madison Elementary School District - Phoenix
Osborn Schools - Phoenix
Pendergast Elementary School District - Phoenix
Phoenix Elementary School District #1
Riverside Elementary School District - Phoenix
Roosevelt Elementary School District - Phoenix
Tempe Elementary School District
Union Elementary School District - Phoenix
Washington Elementary School District - North-Central Phoenix & East Glendale
Wilson School District - Phoenix
High School Districts – Public
Agua Fria Union High School District – Avondale
Buckeye Union High School District
Glendale Union High School District
Phoenix Union High School District
Tempe Union High School District
College & University Links
Arizona Colleges and Universities – Public
Arizona State University – Tempe
University of Arizona – Tucson
Northern Arizona University – Flagstaff
Maricopa Community College District – Phoenix-Metro Area
Phoenix College – Phoenix
Pima Community College – Tucson
Coconino Community College – Flagstaff/Coconino County
Central Arizona College – Coolidge/Pinal County
Eastern Arizona College – Thatcher/Safford
Arizona Western College – Yuma
Yavapai College – Prescott
Cochise College – Douglas
Arizona Colleges and Universities – Private
Western International University – Phoenix
Grand Canyon University – Phoenix
Phoenix School of Law – Phoenix
University of Phoenix – Metro Area
Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts – Scottsdale
NorthCentral University – Prescott
Prescott College – Prescott
Other School Types & Information Links
Arizona Open Enrollment Law
Arizona state law allows students to apply for admission to any public school, based on available classroom space (A.R.S. § 15-816.01). The law requires that school districts develop policies regarding open enrollment that may include transportation and that the policies shall be posted on the district’s website and available to the public upon request. Transportation is available for special education students. A school district may give enrollment preference to and reserve capacity for pupils who are children of persons who are employed by or at a school in the school district. Read more About Arizona open enrollment law at Arizona School Choice.
Charter Schools
Charter Schools are public schools that are somewhat liberated from traditional public school regulations set by the state. Charter School agreements are approved and granted by local school boards in respective cities. Providing there is space available, parents may enroll their children at any Charter School within Arizona regardless of what school district boundaries you reside in.
Magnet Schools
Magnet Schools typically have a focused specialty such as art or technology. Some school districts offer a Magnet School option. A Magnet School can mix grade levels within one classroom and can operate on a year-round schedule. They are not governed by neighborhood boundaries and are required to accept students regardless of domicile district. Check with your school district for the Magnet School option.
Alternative Schools
Many schools can be given the designation of “Alternative School” with educational philosophies that are different from traditional public schools. Alternative schools have self-paced curriculum, small classes and a focus on social and emotional development curriculum. Check with your particular district or neighborhood school to see if it is designated Alternative.
Private Schools
Private schools do not receive state funding and are not under the jurisdiction of the Arizona Department of Education code. Tuition is generally required with selective scholarships typically offered.
Home Schooling
Home schooling children at home is legal in Arizona but there are strict guidelines. Click here for more information on home school regulations and a database of articles and links for home schooling in Maricopa County and the Phoenix area.
