Best High Schools
in Phoenix, Arizona
We ranked all 132 high schools in Phoenix. The top 25 scored between 6.9 and 8.9 out of 10.
Updated for 2026 · Based on NCES and Arizona education data
Phoenix's ranked high school landscape spans 96 schools across the metro, giving families a wide but uneven field to navigate. The average composite score sits at 6.1 out of 10, and only 19 schools — roughly 20% of the total — clear the 7.0 threshold. That gap matters when choosing where your student spends four years. At the top, Shadow Mountain High School leads with an 8.9 score, followed closely by Phoenix Union-Wilson College Preparatory at 8.7 and a cluster of strong performers in the 8.5 range, including Paradise Valley and Pinnacle High Schools. The table below covers all 96 ranked schools with scores, key metrics, and sortable columns so you can filter by what matters most to your family — whether that's academic performance, location, or school type.
Shadow Mountain High School
Phoenix Union-Wilson College Preparatory
Paradise Valley High School
Score Distribution
Where the top 25 schools fall on a 1-10 scale
How We Ranked Phoenix's High Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four components: Academic Achievement (50%) measures standardized test performance in math and reading. Student Growth (20%) tracks improvement over time. Equity (15%) evaluates how well a school serves all student groups. Environment (15%) considers class size, spending, and attendance. All scores are computed within Arizona so schools are compared to peers in the same state. See our full methodology.
All 25 Rankings
| # | School | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shadow Mountain High School Paradise Valley Unified District (4241) | 8.9 |
| 2 | Phoenix Union-Wilson College Preparatory Phoenix Union High School District (4286) | 8.7 |
| 3 | Paradise Valley High School Paradise Valley Unified District (4241) | 8.5 |
| 4 | Pinnacle High School Paradise Valley Unified District (4241) | 8.5 |
| 5 | AIM Higher College Prep Academy Charter Espiritu Schools (92902) | 8.3 |
| 6 | BASIS Phoenix Charter BASIS Charter Schools Inc. (91280) | 8.1 |
| 7 | Ridgeview College Preparatory High School Charter American Charter Schools Foundation dba Ridgeview (1001346) | 8.0 |
| 8 | Sunnyslope High School Glendale Union High School District (4285) | 8.0 |
| 9 | Empower College Prep High School Charter Empower College Prep (91277) | 7.8 |
| 10 | VALLEY LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL | 7.8 |
| 11 | Think Through Academy Charter Think Through Academy (92976) | 7.6 |
| 12 | GATEWAY ACADEMY | 7.6 |
| 13 | Genesis Academy Charter Genesis Program Inc. (4332) | 7.5 |
| 14 | Great Hearts Academies - Veritas Prep Charter Veritas Preparatory Academy (80992) | 7.5 |
| 15 | Arizona Autism Charter - Online High School Charter Arizona Autism Charter Schools Inc. (91958) | 7.5 |
| 16 | Great Hearts Academies - Lincoln Prep Charter Lincoln Preparatory Academy (92657) | 7.5 |
| 17 | YOUTH DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE | 7.5 |
| 18 | Great Hearts Academies - North Phoenix Prep Charter North Phoenix Preparatory Academy (90879) | 7.4 |
| 19 | Great Hearts Academies - Trivium Prep Charter Trivium Preparatory Academy (90859) | 7.3 |
| 20 | Great Hearts Academies - Chandler Prep Charter Chandler Preparatory Academy (88299) | 7.1 |
| 21 | VALIANT COLLEGE PREPARATORY | 7.1 |
| 22 | AAEC - Paradise Valley Charter Arizona Agribusiness & Equine Center Inc. (4331) | 7.0 |
| 23 | Great Hearts Academies - Arete Prep Charter Arete Preparatory Academy (89486) | 7.0 |
| 24 | Hope College and Career Readiness Academy Maricopa County Regional School District (4234) | 6.9 |
| 25 | Phoenix Coding Academy Phoenix Union High School District (4286) | 6.9 |
Scores are based on 2024-25 data from the NCES Common Core of Data and Arizona education department. Rankings are relative to all public high schools in Arizona. Learn about our methodology.
Map: Top 25 High Schools in Phoenix
Pins are color-coded by score: green (7+), yellow (4-6.9), red (below 4). Click a pin for details.
School Spotlights: Phoenix's Top 10 High Schools
Ridgeview College Preparatory High School
Choosing the Right High School in Phoenix
Rankings identify schools with the strongest measurable outcomes, but the right school for your family depends on more than a number. Phoenix's high school landscape is one of the most diverse in Arizona, with 132 schools spanning 178 school districts, plus 73 charter schools offering alternative approaches.
Consider your child's learning style. Some children thrive in smaller settings (look for student-teacher ratios under 14:1), while others do well in larger, more social environments. The schools on this list range widely in size and approach.
Look beyond the composite score. A school ranked #15 might be the best fit if it excels in growth (improving student outcomes year over year) even if its raw academic score is lower. Click into individual school profiles to see the breakdown.
Visit your top choices. Walk the hallways during a school day. Watch how teachers interact with students. Ask about before- and after-school care, transportation, and parent involvement. These details matter more than any dataset.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best high school in Phoenix, Arizona?
According to MySchoolScout's 2026 rankings, Shadow Mountain High School is the top-rated high school in Phoenix with a composite score of 8.9/10. The score is based on academic performance, student growth, equity, and school environment.
How many high schools are in Phoenix, Arizona?
Phoenix has 132 high schools, including 73 charter schools. Of these, 108 have enough data for a full composite rating on MySchoolScout.
What is the average high school rating in Phoenix?
The average composite score for Phoenix high schools is 6.1/10. Scores range from 1.0 (bottom of the state) to 10.0 (top 1% in Arizona).
How does MySchoolScout rate high schools?
Each school receives a 1-10 composite score based on four components: Academic Achievement (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and School Environment (15%). All scores are computed within Arizona, so schools are compared to peers in the same state. Data comes from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments.
What is a good school rating on MySchoolScout?
A score of 7 or above means a school is in roughly the top 30% of its state. A 5 is average. Anything above 8 is exceptional. Our ratings are relative to other schools in Arizona, not a national comparison, because each state has different testing standards.
Are charter schools included in the Phoenix high school rankings?
Yes. Phoenix has 73 charter high schools, and they are ranked alongside traditional public schools using the same composite scoring methodology.