Best Schools in Chandler, Arizona
93 schools · 64 Elementary · 7 Middle · 11 High · 11 Other
Choosing a school in Chandler?
Use this page to compare every school in Chandler by level, neighborhood, and district — and find the right fit, not just the top of the list.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Knox Gifted Academy
Elementary · Chandler Unified District #80 (4242). Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Arizona College Prep Middle School
Middle · Chandler Unified District #80 (4242). Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
John & Carol Carlson Elementary
Elementary · Chandler Unified District #80 (4242). Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Chandler for 2026 are Knox Gifted Academy (9.7/10), Arizona College Prep Middle School (9.5/10), and John & Carol Carlson Elementary (9.2/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 50 rated schools. Ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment (plus college readiness for high schools), with equity shown as context, not scored; schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Schools
93
77 public · 16 private
Avg Score
7.0
out of 10
Median Home
$479,833
home value · ACS
Districts
33
serving the city
Schools
93
77 public · 16 private
Avg Score
7.0
out of 10
Median Home
$479,833
home value · ACS
Districts
33
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Chandler
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (50 of 93). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Knox Gifted Academy | 9.7 / 10 |
| 2 | Arizona College Prep Middle School | 9.5 / 10 |
| 3 | John & Carol Carlson Elementary | 9.2 / 10 |
| 4 | Bright Beginnings School #1 | 9.1 / 10 |
| 5 | Basis Chandler Primary - North Campus | 9.1 / 10 |
| 6 | Audrey & Robert Ryan Elementary | 9.1 / 10 |
| 7 | Arizona College Prep High School | 9.1 / 10 |
| 8 | American Leadership Academy Mesa K-6 | 9.0 / 10 |
| 9 | Chandler Traditional Academy-humphrey | 9.0 / 10 |
| 10 | Chandler Traditional Academy - Goodman | 9.0 / 10 |
See every school — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 7.0/10
- Median household income
- $107,438
- Median home value
- $479,833
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 48%
- Avg commute
- 24 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 69%
58% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Chandler compares
Arizona rank
#20 of 95
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+0.7
above Arizona avg (6.3)
Median household income
$107k
151% of Arizona median
Schools in this city
86
Education Snapshot
Chandler, ArizonaChandler's 93 schools serve roughly 71,796 students across 33 districts, with the level mix weighted toward the elementary end — 64 elementary campuses against 11 high schools and 7 middle schools. The city's 86 scored schools carry a composite average of 7.0/10 on MySchoolScout, clearing Arizona's state average of 6.3/10 by 0.7 points. Charter access runs deep: 33 charter schools — one for roughly every two traditional public schools — give families meaningful choice. The household economic picture reinforces that positioning: Chandler's median household income of $107,522 sits 36% above Arizona's state median of $79,290, and 46% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Taken together, above-average school ratings, a dense charter market, and household incomes well above the state baseline make Chandler one of the more competitive education environments in Arizona.
About Schools in Chandler, Arizona
Chandler, Arizona fields 77 ranked public schools with an average score of 6.9 out of 10. That's a competitive baseline for a suburban district, and the distribution backs it up: 32 schools — 42% of the ranked pool — score 7 or above. Families in Chandler have genuine upper-tier options, but the range is wide enough that school selection deserves real research before picking a neighborhood.
Elementary schools are the clear strength. Anna Marie Jacobson Elementary leads the entire city at 9.3 out of 10, the highest score among all 77 ranked schools. Knox Gifted Academy follows closely at 9.1. Robert and Danell Tarwater Elementary and American Leadership Academy Mesa K-6 both hit 8.9. Four elementary schools at 8.9 or higher isn't an outlier situation — it reflects a consistently strong primary tier that parents at those grade levels can draw from across multiple parts of the city.
The secondary options hold up, too. Hamilton High School reaches 8.9, matching the top of the elementary cluster. Parents mapping a K-12 path through Chandler will find the high school tier supports the promise made at the elementary level. Knox Gifted Academy's name signals specialized programming for high-achieving students starting early, and the 9.1 rating confirms it performs.
The practical picture: Chandler rewards parents who map school boundaries before signing a lease or closing on a house. With 42% of schools clearing the 7-point mark and five schools rated 8.9 or higher across both elementary and high school grades, strong options exist at every stage. The city's 6.9 average means mid-tier schools still perform above the floor — but the gap between a 9.3-rated school and a school two miles away can be significant. Cross-reference zone boundaries early.
Elementary Schools
64 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 675 students · Pre-K–6th | 9.7 |
| 2 | 622 students · Pre-K–6th | 9.2 |
| 3 | 212 students · Kindergarten–6th | 9.1 |
| 4 | 618 students · Kindergarten–4th | 9.1 |
| 5 | 576 students · Pre-K–6th | 9.1 |
| 6 | 448 students · Kindergarten–6th | 9.0 |
| 7 | 456 students · Pre-K–6th | 9.0 |
| 8 | 591 students · Pre-K–6th | 9.0 |
| 9 | 623 students · Pre-K–6th | 9.0 |
| 10 | 704 students · Pre-K–6th | 9.0 |
Show all 64 elementary schools in Chandler
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Middle Schools
7 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 750 students · 6th–8th | 9.5 |
| 2 | 840 students · 5th–8th | 7.2 |
| 3 | 1,180 students · 7th–8th | 7.0 |
| 4 | 1,066 students · 7th–8th | 6.7 |
| 5 | 777 students · 7th–8th | 6.1 |
| 6 | 594 students · 5th–8th | 6.0 |
| 7 | 743 students · 6th–8th | 4.5 |
High Schools
11 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2,024 students · 7th–12th | 9.1 |
| 2 | 2,892 students · 6th–12th | 8.9 |
| 3 | 1,166 students · 5th–12th | 8.7 |
| 4 | 3,675 students · 8th–12th | 8.4 |
| 5 | 3,487 students · 8th–12th | 6.1 |
| 6 | 223 students · 6th–12th | 6.0 |
| 7 | 59 students · 9th–12th | 5.7 |
| 8 | 176 students · 9th–12th | 4.5 |
| 9 | 273 students · 7th–12th | 4.5 |
| 10 | 182 students · 9th–12th | 3.3 |
Show all 11 high schools in Chandler
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Other Schools
11 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 353 students · Kindergarten–12th | 8.6 | ||
| 2 | 2,431 students · Kindergarten–12th | 7.6 | ||
| 3 | 2,168 students · Kindergarten–12th | 7.2 | ||
| 4 | 608 students · Kindergarten–12th | 7.2 | ||
| 5 | 940 students · Kindergarten–9th | 6.6 | ||
| 6 | 6,820 students · Kindergarten–12th | 6.0 | ||
| 7 | 1,312 students · Kindergarten–10th | 5.9 | ||
Private Schools4 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | 53 students · 1st–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | Tri-city Christian AcademyPrivate 235 students · Kindergarten–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 3 | Valley Christian SchoolsPrivate 900 students · Kindergarten–12th | Not Rated | ||
Show all 11 other schools in Chandler
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Schools in Chandler
Chandler, Arizona · 93 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 6 ZIP codes
Median Income
$107,438
Median Home Value
$479,833
Median Rent
$1,901/mo
Population
297,943
College Educated
48%
Homeownership
69%
Avg Commute
24 min
Poverty Rate
7.3%
Community Profile
Chandler has a median household income of $107,438. It is a well-educated community where 48% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $479,833, with a median rent of $1,901/month. The local poverty rate of 7.3% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 24 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Arizona
- Elementary
- 64
- Middle
- 7
- High
- 11
- Other
- 11
Resources
School Districts (33)
Bright Beginnings School Inc. (4362)
1 school · 212 students
American Leadership Academy Inc. (4348)
12 schools · 13,876 students
Kaizen Education Foundation dba El Dorado High Sch (4342)
2 schools · 719 students
Ball Charter Schools (Dobson) (79204)
1 school · 395 students
Skyline Schools Inc. (79084)
1 school · 176 students
American Virtual Academy (79461)
1 school · 6,820 students
SC Jensen Corporation Inc. dba Intelli-School (79951)
2 schools · 63 students
Legacy Traditional School - Maricopa (88360)
1 school · 1,312 students
Daisy Education Corporation dba Paragon Science Ac (89917)
1 school · 608 students
AZ Compass Schools Inc. (89869)
1 school · 273 students
Vector School District Inc. (90317)
1 school · 241 students
BASIS Charter Schools Inc. (90842)
1 school · 1,166 students
Legacy Traditional School - Northwest Tucson (91137)
1 school · 1,279 students
Legacy Traditional School - Avondale (91135)
1 school · 1,313 students
Legacy Traditional School - Chandler (91133)
1 school · 1,146 students
Legacy Traditional School - Laveen Village (91763)
1 school · 1,031 students
Legacy Traditional School - Gilbert (92047)
1 school · 1,025 students
Legacy Traditional School - Queen Creek (92610)
1 school · 940 students
Legacy Traditional School - Surprise (92879)
2 schools · 2,195 students
BASIS Charter Schools Inc. (92865)
1 school · 497 students
Legacy Traditional School - North Chandler (850101)
1 school · 921 students
BASIS Charter Schools Inc. (92997)
1 school · 618 students
Legacy Traditional School - Phoenix (873957)
1 school · 1,233 students
Legacy Traditional School - East Mesa (834265)
1 school · 1,040 students
Valor Preparatory Academy LLC (1000291)
1 school · 223 students
Legacy Traditional School - West Surprise (1000560)
1 school · 1,215 students
Legacy Traditional School - Mesa (1001397)
1 school · 530 students
Legacy Traditional School - Deer Valley (1001398)
1 school · 508 students
Legacy Traditional School - East Tucson (1001399)
1 school · 425 students
Chandler Unified District #80 (4242)
44 schools · 42,832 students
Kyrene Elementary District (4267)
26 schools · 13,800 students
Mesa Unified District (4235)
78 schools · 57,204 students
Legacy Traditional School-San Tan (1001927)
1 school · 690 students
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in Arizona
Top metros statewide by school count.
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Chandler, Arizona
How many schools are in Chandler, Arizona?
Chandler has 93 schools, including 77 public and 16 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Chandler, Arizona?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Chandler is 7.0 out of 10, built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
What is the top-ranked school in Chandler, Arizona?
The top-ranked school in Chandler on MySchoolScout is Knox Gifted Academy with a composite score of 9.7/10.
What is the best elementary school in Chandler, Arizona?
The top-ranked elementary school in Chandler on MySchoolScout is Knox Gifted Academy with a composite score of 9.7/10.
What is the best middle school in Chandler, Arizona?
The top-ranked middle school in Chandler on MySchoolScout is Arizona College Prep Middle School with a composite score of 9.5/10.
What is the best high school in Chandler, Arizona?
The top-ranked high school in Chandler on MySchoolScout is Arizona College Prep High School with a composite score of 9.1/10.
How many school districts serve Chandler, Arizona?
Chandler is served by 33 school districts: Bright Beginnings School Inc. (4362), American Leadership Academy Inc. (4348), Kaizen Education Foundation Dba EL Dorado High Sch (4342), Ball Charter Schools (dobson) (79204), Skyline Schools Inc. (79084), American Virtual Academy (79461), Sc Jensen Corporation Inc. Dba Intelli-school (79951), Legacy Traditional School - Maricopa (88360), Daisy Education Corporation Dba Paragon Science Ac (89917), Az Compass Schools Inc. (89869), Vector School District Inc. (90317), Basis Charter Schools Inc. (90842), Legacy Traditional School - Northwest Tucson (91137), Legacy Traditional School - Avondale (91135), Legacy Traditional School - Chandler (91133), Legacy Traditional School - Laveen Village (91763), Legacy Traditional School - Gilbert (92047), Legacy Traditional School - Queen Creek (92610), Legacy Traditional School - Surprise (92879), Basis Charter Schools Inc. (92865), Legacy Traditional School - North Chandler (850101), Basis Charter Schools Inc. (92997), Legacy Traditional School - Phoenix (873957), Legacy Traditional School - East Mesa (834265), Valor Preparatory Academy Llc (1000291), Legacy Traditional School - West Surprise (1000560), Legacy Traditional School - Mesa (1001397), Legacy Traditional School - Deer Valley (1001398), Legacy Traditional School - East Tucson (1001399), Chandler Unified District #80 (4242), Kyrene Elementary District (4267), Mesa Unified District (4235), Legacy Traditional School-san Tan (1001927).
What is the education level in Chandler, Arizona?
According to Census data, 48% of adults in Chandler have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Chandler, Arizona?
The median household income in Chandler is approximately $107,438 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Chandler, Arizona?
Yes, Chandler has 16 private schools alongside 77 public schools. The top-rated private school is St Mary-basha Catholic School with a score of 7.6/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Chandler, Arizona?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Chandler is 14.5:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Chandler, Arizona?
MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score built from Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context but not scored.
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Data from NCES Common Core of Data, Arizona Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.