Best Schools in Glendale, Arizona
111 schools · 58 Elementary · 4 Middle · 42 High · 7 Other
Choosing a school in Glendale?
Use this page to compare every school in Glendale 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.
Traditional Academy at Bellair
Elementary · Deer Valley Unified District (4246). Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Copperwood School
Elementary · Peoria Unified School District (4237). Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Sahuaro Ranch Elementary School
Elementary · Peoria Unified School District (4237). Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Glendale for 2026 are Traditional Academy at Bellair (9.4/10), Copperwood School (8.2/10), and Sahuaro Ranch Elementary School (8.2/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 80 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
111
97 public · 14 private
Avg Score
6.2
out of 10
Median Home
$356,356
home value · ACS
Districts
24
serving the city
Schools
111
97 public · 14 private
Avg Score
6.2
out of 10
Median Home
$356,356
home value · ACS
Districts
24
serving the city
STAAR proficiency rose +15.0 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among Glendale schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in Glendale
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (Top 10 of 80 rated schools; 111 schools in the directory). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Traditional Academy at Bellair | 9.4 / 10 |
| 2 | Copperwood School | 8.2 / 10 |
| 3 | Sahuaro Ranch Elementary School | 8.2 / 10 |
| 4 | Legend Springs Elementary | 8.2 / 10 |
| 5 | Sunset School | 8.2 / 10 |
| 6 | Challenge Charter School | 8.1 / 10 |
| 7 | Pioneer Elementary School | 8.1 / 10 |
| 8 | Heritage Elementary School | 8.0 / 10 |
| 9 | Las Brisas Elementary School | 8.0 / 10 |
| 10 | Luke Elementary School | 7.9 / 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
- 6.2/10
- Median household income
- $82,307
- Median home value
- $356,356
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 25%
- Avg commute
- 28 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 63%
31% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Glendale compares
Arizona rank
#53 of 97
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.1
below Arizona avg (6.3)
Median household income
$82k
116% of Arizona median
Schools in this city
94
Education Snapshot
Glendale, ArizonaGlendale serves 58,648 students across 107 schools governed by 24 separate districts — a substantial administrative footprint for a single city. The campus mix skews heavily toward the grade-level poles: 58 elementary schools and 41 high schools anchor the city's offerings, while just 2 standalone middle campuses cover the gap years, signaling that K-8 and 9-12 grade configurations are widespread across Glendale's districts. Twenty-two of the 107 schools operate as charters, placing roughly one in five seats in a school-choice setting. MySchoolScout rates 91 of those campuses at an average of 6.0/10 — below Arizona's state average of 6.3/10, a gap families researching school quality will want to weigh. Median household income stands at $83,375, running 5% above the Arizona state median of $79,290, while 27% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
24 districts draw attendance lines through Glendale
Glendale is not one school system. 24 districts cut across the city limits, and the largest still holds only 18% of the public campuses.
Deer Valley Unified District (4246) is the largest slice at 17 of 97 public schools — not a majority. Choosing a Glendale address is choosing a district first.
Among 80 public schools with real test data, composite scores run from 2.6 to 9.4 — the spread is inside Glendale, not a citywide average.
22 of the 97 public schools are charters (23%), so the district split is not the whole market.
- Deer Valley Unified District (4246)17 public · 18%
- Peoria Unified School District (4237)15 public · 15%
- Glendale Elementary District (4271)14 public · 14%
- West-Mec - Western Maricopa Education Center (80923)13 public · 13%
- Thrivepoint High School Inc. (79059)7 public · 7%
About Schools in Glendale, Arizona
Glendale, Arizona offers parents a broad public school market with 82 ranked schools spanning elementary through high school. The city's average school score sits at 5.9 out of 10 — a middle-of-the-road baseline that reflects genuine spread across the landscape. The real story is at both ends: 21% of schools, 17 in total, score 7 or above, while a meaningful share fall well below average. Knowing which side of that divide your neighborhood sits on is the first research task for any family moving to the area.
At the top of the rankings, Traditional Academy at Bellair leads the city with a 9.6 out of 10 — the highest score among all 82 ranked schools and a rare result in any metro. Las Brisas Elementary (9.0) and Mountain Shadows Elementary (8.9) round out a strong elementary tier, suggesting the upper end of Glendale's elementary options is genuinely competitive. Hillcrest Middle School (8.7) is the standout at the middle school level and one of the few middle schools in the city scoring in that range. Copper Creek Elementary (8.5) extends the list of high-performing elementary options, giving families in the right attendance zones meaningful choices before high school.
The elementary picture is notably stronger than the overall average implies. Parents with children in primary grades have the most high-scoring options to work with, and the concentration of top-rated schools at that level means early school selection carries significant weight. Middle and high school options thin out at the top of the performance distribution, so families should map those pipelines early rather than assuming the same quality carries through.
Glendale spans multiple districts — including Glendale Elementary, Peoria Unified, and Tolleson Union — so a school's attendance zone, not just its city location, determines eligibility. With 17 schools clearing the 7-plus threshold, competitive options exist, but they are not evenly distributed across the city. Use school-level scores alongside district boundaries and attendance zone maps to build an accurate picture of what's actually available at your specific address.
Elementary Schools
58 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 215 students · Pre-K–6th | 9.4 |
| 2 | 646 students · Pre-K–8th | 8.2 |
| 3 | 590 students · Pre-K–8th | 8.2 |
| 4 | 683 students · Pre-K–6th | 8.2 |
| 5 | 526 students · Pre-K–6th | 8.2 |
| 6 | 392 students · Kindergarten–6th | 8.1 |
| 7 | 422 students · Pre-K–8th | 8.1 |
| 8 | 796 students · Kindergarten–8th | 8.0 |
| 9 | 478 students · Pre-K–6th | 8.0 |
| 10 | 623 students · Pre-K–8th | 7.9 |
Show all 58 elementary schools in Glendale
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Middle Schools
4 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 853 students · 7th–8th | 5.7 | ||
| 2 | 647 students · 7th–8th | 4.9 | ||
Private Schools2 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | New Gains AcademyPrivate 10 students · 1st–7th | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | New Gains AcademyPrivate 10 students · 1st–8th | Not Rated | ||
High Schools
42 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2,787 students · 7th–12th | 7.5 |
| 2 | 61 students · 7th–12th | 7.3 |
| 3 | 1,696 students · 7th–12th | 7.2 |
| 4 | 2,597 students · 7th–12th | 7.2 |
| 5 | 2,228 students · 9th–12th | 6.3 |
| 6 | 2,048 students · 9th–12th | 6.3 |
| 7 | 1,046 students · 7th–12th | 6.3 |
| 8 | 51 students · 9th–12th | 6.1 |
| 9 | 1,885 students · 7th–12th | 6.1 |
| 10 | 393 students · 9th–12th | 5.9 |
Show all 42 high schools in Glendale
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Other Schools
7 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 897 students · Kindergarten–12th | 6.7 | ||
| 2 | 21 students · Pre-K–12th | — | ||
| 3 | 15 students · Pre-K–Pre-K | — | ||
Private Schools4 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | 63 students · Pre-K–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | 561 students · Pre-K–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 3 | Arrowhead Christian AcademyPrivate 247 students · Kindergarten–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 4 | Vision Christian AcademyPrivate 52 students · Kindergarten–12th | Not Rated | ||
Schools in Glendale
Glendale, Arizona · 111 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 9 ZIP codes
Median Income
$82,307
Median Home Value
$356,356
Median Rent
$1,605/mo
Population
311,041
College Educated
25%
Homeownership
63%
Avg Commute
28 min
Poverty Rate
11.9%
Community Profile
Glendale has a median household income of $82,307. It is an area where 25% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $356,356, with a median rent of $1,605/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.9%. The average commute for residents is 28 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Arizona
- Elementary
- 58
- Middle
- 4
- High
- 42
- Other
- 7
Resources
School Districts (24)
Ombudsman Educational Services Ltd.a subsidiary (4323)
8 schools · 1,520 students
Challenge School Inc. (6362)
1 school · 392 students
ThrivePoint High School Inc. (79059)
7 schools · 1,068 students
James Sandoval Preparatory High School (79475)
1 school · 41 students
PAS Charter Inc. dba Intelli-School (79953)
3 schools · 127 students
Camelback Education Inc (79905)
1 school · 601 students
Alhambra Elementary District (4280)
16 schools · 9,854 students
Desert Heights Charter Schools (81099)
1 school · 897 students
West-MEC - Western Maricopa Education Center (80923)
59 schools · 423 students
Portable Practical Educational Preparation Inc. ( (87405)
2 schools · 5,547 students
Choice Academies Inc. (90138)
2 schools · 634 students
Blueprint Education (81041)
2 schools · 558 students
Heritage Elementary School (81076)
2 schools · 847 students
Ethos Academy - A Challenge Foundation Academy (92379)
1 school · 350 students
Legacy Traditional School - Glendale (850100)
1 school · 1,293 students
Edison Project (743644)
1 school · 248 students
Dysart Unified District (4243)
25 schools · 23,118 students
Glendale Elementary District (4271)
14 schools · 8,858 students
Glendale Union High School District (4285)
11 schools · 16,407 students
Pendergast Elementary District (4283)
12 schools · 8,251 students
Peoria Unified School District (4237)
44 schools · 35,466 students
Deer Valley Unified District (4246)
41 schools · 32,837 students
Tolleson Union High School District (4288)
8 schools · 13,665 students
Washington Elementary School District (4260)
33 schools · 18,766 students
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 Glendale, Arizona
How many schools are in Glendale, Arizona?
Glendale has 111 schools, including 97 public and 14 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Glendale, Arizona?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Glendale is 6.2 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 Glendale, Arizona?
The top-ranked school in Glendale on MySchoolScout is Traditional Academy at Bellair with a composite score of 9.4/10.
What is the best elementary school in Glendale, Arizona?
The top-ranked elementary school in Glendale on MySchoolScout is Traditional Academy at Bellair with a composite score of 9.4/10.
What is the best middle school in Glendale, Arizona?
The top-ranked middle school in Glendale on MySchoolScout is Hillcrest Middle School with a composite score of 5.7/10.
What is the best high school in Glendale, Arizona?
The top-ranked high school in Glendale on MySchoolScout is Mountain Ridge High School with a composite score of 7.5/10.
How many school districts serve Glendale, Arizona?
Glendale is served by 24 school districts: Ombudsman Educational Services Ltd.a Subsidiary (4323), Challenge School Inc. (6362), Thrivepoint High School Inc. (79059), James Sandoval Preparatory High School (79475), Pas Charter Inc. Dba Intelli-School (79953), Camelback Education Inc (79905), Alhambra Elementary District (4280), Desert Heights Charter Schools (81099), West-Mec - Western Maricopa Education Center (80923), Portable Practical Educational Preparation Inc. ( (87405), Choice Academies Inc. (90138), Blueprint Education (81041), Heritage Elementary School (81076), Ethos Academy - a Challenge Foundation Academy (92379), Legacy Traditional School - Glendale (850100), Edison Project (743644), Dysart Unified District (4243), Glendale Elementary District (4271), Glendale Union High School District (4285), Pendergast Elementary District (4283), Peoria Unified School District (4237), Deer Valley Unified District (4246), Tolleson Union High School District (4288), Washington Elementary School District (4260).
What is the education level in Glendale, Arizona?
According to Census data, 25% of adults in Glendale have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Glendale, Arizona?
The median household income in Glendale is approximately $82,307 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Glendale, Arizona?
Yes, Glendale has 14 private schools alongside 97 public schools. The top-rated private school is Ancora High School with a score of 7.5/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Glendale, Arizona?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Glendale is 16.8:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Glendale, 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.