2023 Best Middle Schools in Arizona

• Scottsdale, AZ•

• Public School•

• 5-12

• •
  Rating 3.63 out of 5  111 reviews

Parent: The faculty, staff, volunteers, boosters, teachers, and students all are there to improve the world. The numerous clubs, from Amnesty International, Model UN, Medical Leader Club, Public Speaking Club, and the 50+ clubs for students to join, are a huge asset for building future leaders through learning first hand. They also offer many sports, arts, music programs. They have taken the best learning techniques from Europe, Asia, Canada, and the United States and brought their own techniques to life with a low teacher to student ratio. Having teachers, that are accomplished as educators and having worked in specialized fields outside of the classroom, brings a wealth of knowledge for the students. BASIS Scottsdale is rewriting what education should be. If more schools followed their path, the world would be a much more intelligent and caring place. I feel lucky to be able to have my son receive such an amazing WORLD CLASS EDUCATION!... Read 111 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,137

• Student-teacher ratio —

• Tucson, AZ•

• Public School•

• 5-12

• •
  Rating 3.97 out of 5  60 reviews

Senior: I have really enjoyed the advanced classes offered at Basis Tucson North. You have plenty of opportunities to take honors and AP classes that will teach and challenge and prepare you for college.. I've really grown academically because of my school. I also love their foreign language curriculum. I have taken French for six years. Because of that, I feel confident in my ability to converse with native speakers on a variety of topics. The French teachers are amazing and have taught me a lot. The only complaint I have about my school is its focus on STEM. There are so many math and science courses available to take, but all of the fine arts programs are very small in comparison. In spite of that, I have had so many amazing experiences taking band and orchestra throughout my years at Basis Tucson North. Although small, the community of students that you make music with is close. Our conductor is amazing. He helps us to unlock our potential with out instruments. It's a really good class.... Read 60 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 922

• Student-teacher ratio —

• Paradise Valley, AZ•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.47 out of 5  234 reviews

Senior: I love the school! The community is pretty awesome. There are many amazing opportunities to make connections with great people. I do wish we students had more of a say in what happens on campus sometimes.... Read 234 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 750

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• Phoenix, AZ•

• Public School•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 3.99 out of 5  73 reviews

Senior: I’ve been a student at BASIS Phoenix since 5th grade, and I honestly love it! Subject Expert teachers, specifically ones dubbed “veteran teachers” who have been on campus since it’s opening in 2012, give in their all to their students and always persevere through the rough days like Friday’s before seasonal breaks. Everyone just wants the best for each other, especially since everyone grew up together. BASIS not only teaches you simple soft skills, like time management and teamwork, but also a sense of community that is hard to find outside of colleges.... Read 73 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 769

• Student-teacher ratio —

• Oro Valley, AZ•

• Public School•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 4.12 out of 5  93 reviews

Junior: I think that if I went to any other school, I wouldn’t have the same teacher-student relationship as I do here. Due to the smaller class size, teachers are able to connect more with your students, and they are fully able to show just how much that they care. There’s also additional hours reserved for students who need extra help with assignments, and plenty of accommodations for those who are struggling to learn. My only complaint would be the lack of funding for extracurriculars and social gatherings, but I know that they plan on making a dedicated group of students to help create better events in the future.... Read 93 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 628

• Student-teacher ratio —

• Peoria, AZ•

• Public School•

• 5-12

• •
  Rating 4.01 out of 5  81 reviews

Senior: If your looking for the best preparation for college you will find it at basis! It AP courses are challenging yet enjoyable. Any help you need you will find with the teachers who all seek to prepare you for college. It does require hard work but as a senior I've realized all of it was worth it to get into top schools and multiple scholarship opportunities with ease.... Read 81 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 991

• Student-teacher ratio —

• Mesa, AZ•

• Public School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 3.65 out of 5  55 reviews

Senior: Basis Mesa has taught me many things over the past 8 Years. The workload helped me develop tenacity and diligence. I absolutely love the teachers and atmosphere. They never fail to make sure that the students excel at their crafts. From hosting student hours to checking up on the students, the teachers are incredible to work with. Many of my friends I have grown along side with have impeccable characteristics and are very compassionate of others. The facilities at Basis can definitely use some work. I'm pretty sure its because the other Basis Schools are prioritized over our smaller school. I hope that are able to earn more money to aid in providing more extracurriculars. I would like a more diverse curriculum. It would be lovely if the art department had more funding because we have many talented students that love art, theatre, and music. The opportunities that Basis provides are out-matched and I am glad I went to this school.... Read 55 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 813

• Student-teacher ratio —

• Chandler, AZ•

• Public School•

• 5-12

• •
  Rating 3.58 out of 5  72 reviews

Sophomore: Overall, BASIS Chandler was a great school. The teachers were well versed in their subjects in addition to being kind, compassionate, and caring. In academic options, BASIS really excelled. However, I felt that the arts were not given due appreciation. Furthermore, choosing a fine art class often interfered with more academic classes. This left students to choose between an artistic passions, for example, theatre, and taking an AP elective. There could be more funding and support for things that laid outside the realm of academia. Personally, I also felt the rules for students were too strict. BASIS Chandler, after all, does include high school, but we were banned from using phones during lunch, and students were not allowed to text their parents if they were feeling sick. They were supposed to go through the front office. I thought a lot of the rules were unreasonable, especially for high schoolers.... Read 72 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,177

• Student-teacher ratio —

• Phoenix, AZ•

• Public School•

• 4-12

• •
  Rating 3.92 out of 5  38 reviews

Alum: Great teachers, but majority end up leaving or becoming admin. It's a shame because there used to be a lot more teachers who were passionate for teaching. Sometimes they hire teachers whose qualifications are questionable. Compared to other BASIS schools, we had less funding from BASIS Ed (headquarters). I wish we had had more funding for our theatre department, which is what we're known for. Leadership Society is one of the best extracurriculars you can do at our school because it really teaches you to work in a team and take responsibility for things. We planned all the events from start to finish. Sports are not a strong suit here. Our school emphasizes community. The Boosters, which is the parent organization, plays a very big role in making our school better every day. They organize catered lunches from nearby restaurants as hot lunch. This school is a high stress environment but the AP tests are free. The ceilings leak every time it rains btw. The walls are WEAK so be careful.... Read 38 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 780

• Student-teacher ratio —

• Phoenix, AZ•

• Private School•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 4.61 out of 5  179 reviews

Senior: Brophy was an amazing High School to go to. The community and atmosphere makes it super easy to adjust to, and I guarantee you will find a community or hobby personal and special to you. With the intense and wide variety of courses offered to students, you truly get a sense of what it is like to be a college student which is essential at a college preparatory school. Brophy is committed to justice and has many events dedicated to educating the students about the injustices in our world. We work to better ourselves through intramurals, clubs, and outing events where we can meet new people and bond. Brophy offers many experiences such as retreats, mission trips, and immersion opportunities where you can learn about the world, others, and yourself. Going to Brophy has been the most formative event in my life, and it will not be taken for granted.... Read 179 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,407

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Flagstaff, AZ•

• Public School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 4.07 out of 5  60 reviews

Senior: I have been at this school since 6th grade and I love it! It can definitely be very academically challenging, but that is one of my favorite parts about it. The teachers are always pushing students to do our best work and reach our full potential. I feel that I am being prepared for college very well in my final year of high school, and I love all of the courses that are being offered senior year. Despite our rigorous academics, our school culture is not overly competitive, and we all support each other, especially when it comes to college applications senior year. Although I wouldn't say that BASIS Flagstaff has great programs when it comes to sports and arts, I have still participated in and thoroughly enjoyed both. If you are interested in a high school with a lot of school spirit, especially surrounding sports, I would not recommend BASIS Flagstaff. We also tend to have a few issues surrounding administrative organization, but overall, I still love this school!... Read 60 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 878

• Student-teacher ratio —

• Tempe, AZ•

• Public School•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 4.17 out of 5  130 reviews

Sophomore: I love Tempe Prep! It is a small inclusive community, where bright minds come together to learn. My favorite class at Tempe Preparatory Academy is Humane Letters, which explores history and English. I enjoyed the Aeneid, which we read this year. I also like all of my teachers, and have connected with them well. I have had the opportunity to start an Outdoor Club as well. But, like any school, Tempe Prep has some problems. We do not have good diversity. My class is almost fully white, and I wish I had the opportunity to learn with people a different race than I. And, of those white people, many of them are racist, and would benefit from greater diversity.... Read 130 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 434

• Student-teacher ratio —

• Chandler, AZ•

• Public School•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 4.27 out of 5  89 reviews

Parent: I find the student body to be diverse and vibrant with students from all different backgrounds. School pride is evident by the cleanliness and orderly nature of the school grounds. Teachers are highly assessable to both students and parents and offers weekly tutoring hours. Students have time after lunch to study, attend tutoring, or get some fresh air on the field. There is a robust mentoring program for new students. My children have very different learning styles where school comes easy for one while the other struggles. Through the CPA ESS program, my youngest gets additional support that helps her be successful with the more rigorous curriculum. This school focuses on a classical liberal arts curriculum that not only cultivates the hearts and minds of students in the pursuit of Truth, Beauty and Goodness, but also graduates students that are prepared for college. The school produces a well rounded student and encourages athletics, music, art, mentorship, and community service.... Read 89 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 734

• Student-teacher ratio —

• Mesa, AZ•

• Public School•

• K-8

• •
  Rating 4.31 out of 5  13 reviews

Parent: The academic foundation provided to SDA students is exceptional. The students are well prepared for high school and beyond. My daughter attended SDA since Kindergarten. Her transition to high school went well because of the academic foundation and organizational and study skills provided to her by SDA teachers and staff. Also, through the after school club program, she developed a love for dance. Her love of dance has continued in high school too. We have such fond memories of her time at SDA!... Read 13 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 507

• Student-teacher ratio —

• Scottsdale, AZ•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.13 out of 5  40 reviews

Parent: Teachers truly engage students; homework is appropriate and solidifies the lesson outside the classroom. Great fine arts programming. Electives are awesome: sculpture, Model UN, etc. School field trips in upper school to different cities!... Read 40 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 781

• Student-teacher ratio 9:1

• Scottsdale, AZ•

• Public School•

• 5-12

• •
  Rating 3.97 out of 5  75 reviews

Alum: I loved the teachers and their willingness to always help the students. As a student myself, I always felt nervous asking for help but after the first few times I realized that the teachers were willing to give me whatever I needed if I just went to them. I would like see a little more school event take place, such as coffee house, and more opportunities to express school spirit! I understand that we are a charter school, and we have strict rules, but the students still want to express school spirit! I also wished the college counselors were more involved in helping the students. They held many workshops but the material they covered was stuff I could’ve found online.... Read 75 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 865

• Student-teacher ratio —

• Tucson, AZ•

• Private School•

• 5-12

• •
  Rating 4.33 out of 5  51 reviews

Alum: I had a really great experience at TGS! The student-to-teacher ratio allowed me to be close to many of my teachers which really helped me better understand the material and receive support when I struggled with a concept. I was far better prepared for college than many of my new university friends were at their schools, especially in fields like time management and writing.... Read 51 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 367

• Student-teacher ratio 6:1

• Phoenix, AZ•

• Public School•

• PK, K-8

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  9 reviews

Parent: I have a Preschooler and a Kindergartner at Valley Academy. The preschool program prepared both of my kids for kindergarten very well. They were both reading small words by the beginning on kinder and fluently by winter break. The teachers are very responsive and kept me informed with my child’s progress.... Read 9 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 748

• Student-teacher ratio —

• Phoenix, AZ•

• Private School•

• 5-12

• •
  Rating 4.13 out of 5  23 reviews

Junior: AMAZING SCHOOL! The teachers work 1-on-1 with all students and truly care about them. After 10th grade, students have flexibility in choosing the classes to take to help them become stronger in specific fields. Math course pacing is student-run, meaning that kids can retake classes or accelerate through courses as fast as they like. Students are kind and inclusive and the building is beautiful.... Read 23 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 103

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• Mesa, AZ•

• Public School•

• K-7

• grade A+

• Students 249

• Student-teacher ratio —

• Gilbert, AZ•

• Public School•

• K-8

• •
  Rating 3.5 out of 5  2 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,137

• Student-teacher ratio —

• Scottsdale, AZ•

• Public School•

• K-8

• •
  Rating 4.6 out of 5  10 reviews

Parent: This school has been incredible for our children! The small class sizes allow the teachers to be able to focus on individual needs and provide an education I haven't seen elsewhere. The teachers actually care about their students and put an unbelievable amount of effort into their curriculum. We have been so impressed with everything our children have learned in this environment. The students are respectful of each other, the staff and they are very comfortable being themselves here. Love this place!... Read 10 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 154

• Student-teacher ratio —

• Phoenix, AZ•

• Public School•

• PK, K-9

• •
  Rating 4.33 out of 5  3 reviews

Niche User: Keystone is a home away from home for children. The staff and classroom guides truly care about the families and they are dedicated to the very best in Montessori education!... Read 3 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 194

• Student-teacher ratio —

• Phoenix, AZ•

• Public School•

• K-8

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  1 review

Parent: My older son is thriving in the environment of learning to your ability and his teachers are amazing. My younger son is in kindergarten and is learning the ropes with gentle guidence. They care, they help, they communicate....i can't say enough.... Read 1 review

• grade A+

• Students 182

• Student-teacher ratio —

• Glendale, AZ•

• Public School•

• K-8

• •
  Rating 4 out of 5  1 review

Parent: Academics are great, teachers really seem to care for their students and their progress. I would like to see more implementation of the driveline rules to be applied to parents who don't follow them.... Read 1 review

• grade A+

• Students 1,192

• Student-teacher ratio —