Best High Schools
in Phoenix, Arizona
We ranked the 107 high schools in Phoenix with real test data. The top 25 scored between 7.8 and 9.3 out of 10.
Updated for 2026 · Based on NCES and Arizona education data
The short answer
The top-rated high schools in Phoenix for 2026 are Madison Highland Prep (9.3/10), Great Hearts Academies - Lincoln Prep (9.1/10), and Great Hearts Academies - North Phoenix Prep (9.0/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 107 rated high schools. Schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Choosing a high school in Phoenix?
Every high school in Phoenix is scored 1–10 on the same four measures. Use the ranking to build a shortlist, then weigh the tradeoffs a single score can't capture.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Madison Highland Prep
Phoenix, AZ. Start here, then open the profile to compare commute, district context, and score components.
Great Hearts Academies - Lincoln Prep
Phoenix, AZ. Start here, then open the profile to compare commute, district context, and score components.
Great Hearts Academies - North Phoenix Prep
Phoenix, AZ. Start here, then open the profile to compare commute, district context, and score components.
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.
Madison Highland Prep
Great Hearts Academies - Lincoln Prep
Great Hearts Academies - North Phoenix Prep
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 with weights that vary by school level: Student Growth tracks improvement over time and counts most in elementary and middle grades. Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement measures standardized test performance in math and reading against socioeconomic expectations. Environment considers class size, spending, and attendance. College Readiness joins the composite for high schools. Equity data is shown for context but is not factored into the score. All scores are computed within Arizona so schools are compared to peers in the same state. See our full methodology.
Top 25 of 107 Rankings
| # | School | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Madison Highland Prep Charter Madison Highland Prep (91935) | 9.3 |
| 2 | Great Hearts Academies - Lincoln Prep Charter Lincoln Preparatory Academy (92657) | 9.1 |
| 3 | Great Hearts Academies - North Phoenix Prep Charter North Phoenix Preparatory Academy (90879) | 9.0 |
| 4 | Great Hearts Academies - Cicero Prep Charter Cicero Preparatory Academy (92316) | 9.0 |
| 5 | Phoenix Union Bioscience High School Phoenix Union High School District (4286) | 9.0 |
| 6 | Basis Phoenix Charter BASIS Charter Schools Inc. (91280) | 8.9 |
| 7 | Great Hearts Academies - Scottsdale Prep Charter Scottsdale Preparatory Academy (89756) | 8.8 |
| 8 | Great Hearts Academies - Chandler Prep Charter Chandler Preparatory Academy (88299) | 8.7 |
| 9 | Great Hearts Academies - Glendale Prep Charter Glendale Preparatory Academy (89829) | 8.7 |
| 10 | Aaec - Paradise Valley Charter Arizona Agribusiness & Equine Center Inc. (4331) | 8.5 |
| 11 | Great Hearts Academies - Veritas Prep Charter Veritas Preparatory Academy (80992) | 8.5 |
| 12 | Phoenix Coding Academy Phoenix Union High School District (4286) | 8.5 |
| 13 | Great Hearts Academies - Trivium Prep Charter Trivium Preparatory Academy (90859) | 8.4 |
| 14 | Horizon Honors Secondary School Charter Horizon Community Learning Center Inc. (79264) | 8.3 |
| 15 | Phoenix College Preparatory Academy Charter MCCCD on behalf of Phoenix College Preparatory Aca (81174) | 8.3 |
| 16 | Arizona Agribusiness & Equine Center - Estrella Charter Arizona Agribusiness & Equine Center Inc. (90779) | 8.3 |
| 17 | Great Hearts Academies - Arete Prep Charter Arete Preparatory Academy (89486) | 8.2 |
| 18 | Phoenix Union-wilson College Preparatory Phoenix Union High School District (4286) | 8.2 |
| 19 | Pinnacle High School Paradise Valley Unified District (4241) | 8.0 |
| 20 | Imagine Prep Surprise Charter Imagine Prep Surprise Inc. (89790) | 7.9 |
| 21 | Asu Preparatory Academy- Phoenix High School Charter ASU Preparatory Academy (91303) | 7.9 |
| 22 | Shadow Mountain High School Paradise Valley Unified District (4241) | 7.9 |
| 23 | Desert Vista High School Tempe Union High School District (4287) | 7.9 |
| 24 | Arizona Agribusiness & Equine Center Inc. - Prescott Valley Charter Arizona Agribusiness & Equine Center Inc. (91131) | 7.8 |
| 25 | Valley Lutheran High School | 7.8 |
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
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, Madison Highland Prep is the top-rated high school in Phoenix with a composite score of 9.3/10. The score blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic performance, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools — with equity shown as context, not scored.
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 6.2/10. 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 that blends Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, with growth counting most in elementary and middle grades. Equity data is shown for context but not scored. 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.