2023 Best Public Schools in Encanto

• 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 —

• 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 —

• 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 —

• Phoenix, AZ•

• Public School•

• PK, K-6

• grade A+

• Students 189

• Student-teacher ratio —

• 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•

• Public School•

• K-5

• grade A+

• Students 833

• Student-teacher ratio 8:1

• Phoenix, AZ•

• Public School•

• K-6

• •
  Rating 3 out of 5  1 review

• grade A+

• Students 434

• 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•

• K-6

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  3 reviews

Parent: Horizon school knows each and every student's strengths and needs. They can work on advanced skills and above grade level academic content without having to place the child at a different grade level or pulling them from their peers. They welcome parent involvement and have no problems with parents in the room assisting at any time.... Read 3 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 802

• 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 —

• Phoenix, AZ•

• Public School•

• K-8

• grade A+

• Students 628

• Student-teacher ratio —

• Goodyear, AZ•

• Public School•

• K-5

• •
  Rating 4.36 out of 5  11 reviews

Senior: I attended this school for quite a while. I really appreciated how the teachers encourage students to ask questions and fully grasp all concepts learned. I do wish they would extend their history courses to the history of places other than America and Europe as it would allow students to learn about many other different cultures. I do respect their idea of uniformity, however, I think they should allow for a little more individuality when it comes to little things such as bracelets or nails.... Read 11 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 534

• Student-teacher ratio —

• Chandler, AZ•

• Public School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 4 out of 5  37 reviews

Parent: Paragon is fantastic! This is our first year there and my kiddos love it. The teachers and staff are welcoming and extremely supportive. Everyone is available for discussions regarding academics, behavior, anything. You never feel brushed off. The clubs are great too!... Read 37 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 683

• Student-teacher ratio —

• Phoenix, AZ•

• Public School•

• K-5

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  1 review

• grade A+

• Students 494

• Student-teacher ratio —

• Phoenix, AZ•

• Public School•

• 7-12

• •
  Rating 3.81 out of 5  150 reviews

Senior: Horizon Honors has a variety of amazing teachers and opportunities to just get to know yourself, while still being an academic based school. This is the place where I grew up, and while it still has some kinks to work through. It does help set you up for college, providing a great environment for developing awesome relationships with people since it’s still a small school. Horizon Honors offers a variety of programs too that allow students to learn what their path truly looks like. Overall, Horizon Honors is a great school, and it has left me with a bunch of valuable memories.... Read 150 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 714

• Student-teacher ratio —

• Phoenix, AZ•

• Public School•

• 4-8

• grade A+

• Students 49

• Student-teacher ratio —

• Phoenix, AZ•

• Public School•

• K-8

• •
  Rating 4 out of 5  4 reviews

Parent: Back to basic education. Highly focused on math and Spaulding language arts, yet kids still get art, music, PE, computers and foreign language. Teachers and staff are amazing! Parental involvement is awesome.... Read 4 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 594

• Student-teacher ratio —

• Tempe, AZ•

• Public School•

• K-8

• •
  Rating 4.75 out of 5  4 reviews

Parent: CEE has been a wonderful school for my children. Its a diverse school where the culture is inclusion and classmates are supportive and kind. They cater to all skill levels and allow a child to do accelerated work if they are needing more of a challenge than what is offered at their grade level. The teachers have been really wonderful and my kids are thriving here. We transferred from a district school where bullying was a problem and the district school would not help the situation. Now at CEE for 3 years, my children feel safe, supported, and are happy kids who love to attend school each day.... Read 4 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 275

• Student-teacher ratio —

• Avondale, AZ•

• Public School•

• K-8

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  1 review

Alum: My experience at legacy was amazing. I was prepared for high school and now excel in all my classes due to the education and preparation of the legacy teachers.... Read 1 review

• grade A+

• Students 1,368

• Student-teacher ratio —

• Phoenix, AZ•

• Public School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.48 out of 5  79 reviews

Parent: I've been so impressed with Madison Highland Prep. My child has been attending classes here since the beginning of the school year and I have seen such a positive change in their attitude towards school and learning. The teachers are incredibly knowledgeable and always willing to help. They make learning fun and engaging with hands-on activities and projects. The curriculum is challenging yet accessible for all students. The school also offers a variety of extracurricular activities and clubs that my child loves. We are so happy we chose Madison Highland Prep!... Read 79 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 460

• Student-teacher ratio 24:1

• Avondale, AZ•

• Public School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.8 out of 5  186 reviews

Senior: Great school! Meet such amazing people and made so many new friends! I would highly recommend going here. The teachers truly care about you and your future ahead of you. The college is also other great benefit to going here! If you are wanting to get a head start this school is your way to go.... Read 186 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 486

• Student-teacher ratio —

• Phoenix, AZ•

• Public School•

• 5-12

• •
  Rating 3.83 out of 5  186 reviews

Junior: Arizona School for the Arts is good for what it's marketed to, the arts. Every now and then, the perfect façade they have built up, slowly melts and reveals a not so good admission. There are times where the admission will not do anything and there are times when they do stuff. Since the school is marketed to the arts, the academics aren't the best. Most teachers do want you to succeed, but there are some odd ones out there. If you're looking for a school that heavily prioritizes performing arts (i.e dance, band, or choir), Arizona School for the Arts, is for you.... Read 186 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 839

• Student-teacher ratio —

• Paradise Valley, AZ•

• Public School•

• K-8

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  3 reviews

Parent: Our daughter started 2nd grade at Montessori Academy this year and our experience so far has been extremely positive. The teachers, staff, and administration have all been wonderful and the school has done a great job of navigating the COVID pandemic safely and responsibly so that students could be in class in person. We can see our daughter developing a true love of learning and degree of curiously that will last a lifetime. She simply loves going to school every day. Her teachers are dedicated, kind, and very supportive. Additionally, the school’s administration is responsive, effective, and engaging.... Read 3 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 148

• Student-teacher ratio —

• Phoenix, AZ•

• Public School•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 3.97 out of 5  73 reviews

Senior: I love the emphasis on growing a love of learning instead of focusing on test scores. It's an extremely intense school, but I feel well prepared going in to college, and I loved the classes and teachers. Veritas truly focuses on growing a sense of wonder, and inspired us to ask deep questions and discuss with our peers. Typically, there was no pointless/busy work. Physics 2 was definitely a pain though... Read 73 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 792

• Student-teacher ratio —