2023 Best School Districts in Arizona

• Tucson, AZ•

• School District

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  Rating 4.17 out of 5  47 reviews

Alum: I love Catalina Foothills. From day one all the way to my last day at the high school and beyond it’s been a joy to call Catalina Foothills my community and my schooling. Growing up in the district was such a blessing as the students and staff were so kind and helpful, giving me so many connections and resources and experiences it’s insane. I would not be the same person with out them. While I loved every aspect of the district, one of my favorite things about it is the band program. Being apart of the Catalina Foothills marching band was such an amazing experience. I can’t speak highly enough about it. While I continue to praise Catalina Foothills inside and out, keeping it real, I did have some pretty bad experiences. I had some crappy classes and a received a few not so friendly comments here and there, but that’s life. It’s not all sunshine and rainbows although Catalina foothills was pretty close. Seriously, Catalina Foothills is the best!... Read 47 reviews

• grade A+

• Total schools 8

• Students 5,190

• Chandler, AZ•

• School District

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  Rating 4.26 out of 5  304 reviews

Sophomore: In the Chandler Unified School District (CUSD) I went to Basha High School from 2020-2022, I moved after my sophomore year. The teachers are extremely helpful and friendly. They created a welcoming environment for students. The administrative staff was equally as friendly. My guidance counselor helped me by explaining some of the basics of college and preparing for life after high school. The curriculum was very well structured. Most of the time, there was police on campus to help us feel well protected and safe as we went about our day. The food varied from great to something I couldn't digest. All and all, a pretty basic school within CUSD and a lot of other schools possess similar qualities. It's nothing too extraordinary, but it's definitely a school I wish I never left.... Read 304 reviews

• grade A

• Total schools 44

• Students 43,790

• Vail, AZ•

• School District

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  Rating 4.54 out of 5  157 reviews

Parent: Vail is the best district in the state of Arizona hands down! They have two main focuses that we love. First, they are all about building high quality relationships with parents, students, and staff. They bring parents in, encouraging frequent engagement, and they listen to parents. They exist to serve parents in providing a high quality education and services for their children. Second, these people really know and understand the how regarding academic achievement. They dig deeply into their assessment data, set goals, take action, and provide the highest quality instruction anywhere. In fact, hundreds of other districts now partner with Vail to get help from them to increase student achievement in their school districts. Our daughters are now in 11th and 12th grades and started school here. We are grateful to have raised them here! They are thriving young people. Simply put, Vail is the absolute best place to send children to school, and it is a fantastic place to raise a family!... Read 157 reviews

• grade A

• Total schools 23

• Students 13,642

• Scottsdale, AZ•

• School District

• •
  Rating 3.99 out of 5  115 reviews

Works Here: Scottsdale Unified is a unique school district, with offerings for every student. There are 2 dual language programs (Spanish and Mandarin) across 6 schools, and students have the opportunity to earn a biliteracy seal at the end of high school. There's also STEM focused schools, traditional schools, SPED programs, and preschool!... Read 115 reviews

• grade A

• Total schools 30

• Students 21,496

• Gilbert, AZ•

• School District

• •
  Rating 4.08 out of 5  137 reviews

Alum: I think that the gilbert public school district is great! My parents, uncles and siblings all attended schools in this district. The teachers are awesome!... Read 137 reviews

• grade A

• Total schools 39

• Students 32,661

• Phoenix, AZ•

• School District

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  Rating 3.96 out of 5  157 reviews

Senior: This district has given me nothing but opportunity, friendship, education, acceptance, and fun. I feel like this district has made so many advancements that other districts I've been in haven't. I never felt like I wasn't able to do anything I've been passionate about. If I wanted to join a club, I did. If the club didn't exist, I could create it. This district, and my school, have provided me with the chance to grow, and evolve into an a more mature version of myself. Not only are the school great, but the teachers are AMAZING! My entire experience at this school, I've not had any bad experience with any of my teachers that couldn't be resolved and eventually end up with us on positive terms. This district, and the Deer Valley High School are 100% an amazing choice.... Read 157 reviews

• grade A

• Total schools 40

• Students 32,061

• Mesa, AZ•

• School District

• •
  Rating 4.55 out of 5  29 reviews

Senior: I have been here from 7-12 grade. I have made great friends. They offer few but very unique classes. Not many high schools have a martial arts and a ballroom dancing class. I have participated in both the martial arts class and ballroom class, gaining a black belt from said martial arts. The amount of homework provided nearly matches the amount given in college. Even without Dual Enrolling any core classes, the amount of homework is the same. I have spent roughly four to six hours a day in the past just on homework. I feel safe at this school. The teachers are very good at what they do. They fit in the school culture. Despite the campus and student body being small for a high school, our STEM and Arts programs are incredible. Both have received insanely high ratings in their respective places.... Read 29 reviews

• grade A

• Total schools 2

• Students 1,455

• Phoenix, AZ•

• School District

• •
  Rating 4.22 out of 5  146 reviews

Senior: The district meets all the needs of their students from K-12th grades. They have excellent facilities as well as teachers who very much care about their students. For the high schoolers, the district provides amazing CTE classes and prepares their students for the real world as well as their intended careers. Every sport is well funded and very open for any student to join. The fine arts programs in each school have been excellent and opens up opportunities for many students who are looking for careers in the arts. The office staff of many of the schools within the district care about the students such as their mental health and academic progress. I highly recommend this district.... Read 146 reviews

• grade A

• Total schools 44

• Students 29,109

• Glendale, AZ•

• School District

• •
  Rating 4.19 out of 5  204 reviews

Senior: I moved to Peoria at the beginning of my 6th grade year. Ever since, I've been in love with the community and the incredible amount of resources that have been provided to me as a student, in order to succeed. The teachers that I've had all throughout my years have been nothing short of phenomenal! They've always made sure that I was on top of my assignments and believing in my the whole way! I believe that because of the amazing teachers that I've encountered through my experience in Peoria, I am better prepared to take on college and enter the adult world. I have learned determination and grit from the schools that I've attended. It seems like curriculum went above and beyond as I have learned valuable life lessons that I will carry on in my future. The schools are clean, fun, and inclusive! All my friends that I've made at these schools have all been positive influences in my life. I definitely recommend this school district to any parent looking for a great home for their child!... Read 204 reviews

• grade A

• Total schools 44

• Students 35,329

• Tucson, AZ•

• School District

• •
  Rating 4.6 out of 5  10 reviews

Senior: Tanque Verde high school is a Very relaxed and friendly environment. The teachers all provide a helpful and pleasant classroom experience. There are Many athletics and clubs available, with great coaching and leadership. The Classrooms are smaller and thus allow for more personal educational opportunities. The campus is very clean and well maintained, along with bathrooms, classrooms, and other facilities. School counselors are very knowledgeable and helpful, and provide any assistance needed in order to have a successful and enriching school experience. There are Many opportunities outside of school given like PIMA JTED courses, such as: Precision manufacturing, Welding, FFA, Drone tech, Nursing etc. School Athletics all provide very useful experience and instill important moral values such as leadership, work ethic, and dedication to goals. The campus is currently being renovated with a new football/soccer field to allow for even better athletic experience.... Read 10 reviews

• grade A minus

• Total schools 4

• Students 2,127

• Joseph City, AZ•

• School District

• •
  Rating 4.63 out of 5  8 reviews

Alum: Joseph City has a tradition of excellence that has been going academically for 50 years! It’s a small school in a small town, has great teachers, and plenty of chances to join a sports team get in a play or join some great extracurricular activities! This school has a great atmosphere to learn in.... Read 8 reviews

• grade A minus

• Total schools 3

• Students 434

• Ash Fork, AZ•

• School District

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  1 review

Senior: I have attending Ash Fork schools for nearly 5 years. In these 5 years, I have had a great experiences especially academically. Ash Fork schools was in the top 10 for Arizona. Ash Fork has quality teachers for every grade and every subject. Ash Fork is a small school but this is beneficial especially to students who need one on one help. Ash Fork's vision statement is to prepare students for a career and college. The school offers high school students dual enrollment courses through Yavapai College to give them a head start for graduation. Overall Ash Fork schools is a great school and has people that genuinely care for the success of every student.... Read 1 review

• grade A minus

• Total schools 3

• Students 267

• Glendale, AZ•

• School District

• •
  Rating 4.32 out of 5  158 reviews

Niche User: What I love about Greenway High School is that the programs that we needed before starting college are very helpful and gives us a big opportunities to find out what we like to do . One of the example is dance class. I always been wanting to take dance class but never had the confidence. However, in my Junior year I took dance class online because if the pandemic and I started to really enjoy it. I hated being in school when school is done but when there is a dance school at 7 at school, I didn’t know how fun it can get and how memorable it was, so I decided to take dance class again in my senior year. It was a great experience I had throughout my high school year and I wish that i had taken dance class earlier. I think I will forever remember this experience especially, because I love to dance and learning more style of dance was something I always wanted to try out. I will also remember my dance teacher because she was the nicest person, kind, and gives us a lot of laughters.... Read 158 reviews

• grade A minus

• Total schools 11

• Students 16,462

• Fountain Hills, AZ•

• School District

• •
  Rating 4.2 out of 5  10 reviews

Senior: My experience at Fountain Hills High School has been amazing. It is like a huge family even though it is a small school. Everyone is very friendly and the teachers and administration are great. Every day is always a good day when I come to school, it is very safe and you learn a lot from the teachers. They make everything they teach easy to take in and comprehend.... Read 10 reviews

• grade A minus

• Total schools 4

• Students 1,210

• Gilbert, AZ•

• School District

• •
  Rating 3.8 out of 5  74 reviews

Senior: The atmosphere at my school specifically is amazing. The people are nice, inclusive, and generous! The staff are the most genuine and friendly people. And the school rivalries for sports and other activities are always friendly.... Read 74 reviews

• grade A minus

• Total schools 16

• Students 12,679

• Benson, AZ•

• School District

• •
  Rating 3.86 out of 5  14 reviews

Sophomore: Benson is a great school for motivated students. There are many opportunities at Benson for students to get ahead and prepare for life after school. I enjoy attending school at Benson.... Read 14 reviews

• grade A minus

• Total schools 5

• Students 1,214

• Scottsdale, AZ•

• School District

• •
  Rating 3.96 out of 5  25 reviews

Alum: I went through the Cave Creek Unified School District all the way from elementary school through high school. My experience was great! This school district is very involved in the community which I loved! The teachers were always there to help and wanted the best for their students. I was involved in the cheerleading programs at both Sonoran Trails Middle School and at Cactus Shadows High School. Being apart of a team in this district gave me many opportunities to become involved in our community and at school. Many of the coaches and teachers in the district are alumni of the Cave Creek Unified School District, which speaks for how amazing of a community it is.... Read 25 reviews

• grade A minus

• Total schools 8

• Students 4,837

• Mesa, AZ•

• School District

• •
  Rating 4.06 out of 5  187 reviews

Senior: Loved the staff and the many different options you can choose from for electives! The teachers work with students to make sure they are doing their best and getting on top of their work. The school definitely prepares you for college if you take any advanced courses and even allows you to get ahead in college with dual enrollment courses! The atmosphere is friendly and inviting, although I wish they would redecorate the outside because it is still an old building that has been around for ages. I also love the wide selection of books to choose from in the library and how everything is well organized. The librarians are nice and the school even allows you to work at the cafeteria and gives you job opportunities. The school has earned a score of "excellent" and I hope to see more good things come out of Mountain View High School. I hope to see some new improvements and I'm glad that my high school years were spent here. I am about to graduate, and I hope everyone stays happy!... Read 187 reviews

• grade A minus

• Total schools 78

• Students 57,956

• Avondale, AZ•

• School District

• •
  Rating 4.1 out of 5  124 reviews

Senior: Agua Fria is a very historical school. Being the first founded in the district in 1957, the all original construction and generations of returning families really make the environment rooted at home from where it started. So much history through the walls and even through the staff. We might not have the best football team and have been labeled “overrated” the owls are still strong in our spirit and foundations.... Read 124 reviews

• grade A minus

• Total schools 5

• Students 8,403

• Tucson, AZ•

• School District

• •
  Rating 4.69 out of 5  26 reviews

Sophomore: Flowing Wells is a great school district and better than most school districts I have lived in. Most students here are well mannered and respectful to each other and teachers. The clubs and sports here are very diverse, there are many sports that you can play that you can learn while playing. Arts and plays are just as important to the Flowing Wells community, as the sports events. Overall, the community of this school district is very diverse and kind.... Read 26 reviews

• grade A minus

• Total schools 11

• Students 5,409

• Tempe, AZ•

• School District

• •
  Rating 4.16 out of 5  171 reviews

Junior: I have been a student at Tempe Union High School District for 2 1/2 years, and am currently a junior at their Corona del Sol high school. So far I have had a very good experience with the school. My favorite aspect of the district and school has been how helpful and caring the administration has been. Any time I had a question about a class or an issue solving homework the teachers and administration have been very efficient and quick with resolving my question/issue in a satisfying way. Another great aspect of the district is how diverse the districts are in terms of classes, clubs, and extracurricular activities. An example of this diversity in terms of classes is being able to have a wide variety of classes fit onto one schedule, e.g. Culinary Arts, Physics, College Prep, and Ceramics. My one issue with the district has been how constricted the campuses and classes feel, mainly 30+ students in a class and tens of people being crammed into a corridor during every transitory period.... Read 171 reviews

• grade A minus

• Total schools 8

• Students 12,868

• Morenci, AZ•

• School District

• •
  Rating 4.29 out of 5  7 reviews

Senior: I enjoyed Morenci High School for all the activities ad opportunities it provided. It is a small school in Arizona; however, the school allows many opportunities to put yourself out there and find a better future. For example, we have dual enrollment classes, clubs, societies, and many more. Though, when first coming, it may not seem much to do. As you stay here longer, many events and opportunities to find what you want to do in the future will be created. Nevertheless, many of the teachers here are helpful towards your success. Overall, I enjoyed my experience at Morenci High School... Read 7 reviews

• grade A minus

• Total schools 3

• Students 1,450

• Tucson, AZ•

• School District

• •
  Rating 3.97 out of 5  38 reviews

Sophomore: It is my first year here at Canyon Del Oro and I absolutely love it. All of the teachers are so well educated about their subjects and teach so well. The other students are also diverse and creative and make you feel extremely welcome. Although I do wish that advisory would get taken out of the schedule as it adds extra time in school when we could be doing other things that interest us, like extracurriculars. I also wish the busses were more organized as all of them are late almost every day by around 15 minutes.... Read 38 reviews

• grade B+

• Total schools 22

• Students 11,424

• Phoenix, AZ•

• School District

• grade B+

• Total schools 2

• Students 600

• Coolidge, AZ•

• School District

• •
  Rating 4.83 out of 5  6 reviews

Freshman: Great community College environment with friendly professors and students. For a first college experience, I felt very welcomed and like my teachers and advisers wanted me there and wanted to see my succeed in every aspect of my education. I feel very lucky that this school is so close to my home and offers the same classes as big universities for so much cheaper because it is a community college. My first semester was seamless and accurately prepared me for the rest of my college career.... Read 6 reviews

• grade B+

• Total schools 9

• Students 49