Best Schools in Scottsdale, Arizona
71 schools · 44 Elementary · 6 Middle · 13 High · 8 Other
Choosing a school in Scottsdale?
Use this page to compare every school in Scottsdale 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.
Grayhawk Elementary School
Elementary · Paradise Valley Unified District (4241). Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Desert Canyon Elementary
Elementary · Scottsdale Unified District (4240). Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Sequoya Elementary School
Elementary · Scottsdale Unified District (4240). Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Scottsdale for 2026 are Grayhawk Elementary School (9.5/10), Desert Canyon Elementary (9.5/10), and Sequoya Elementary School (9.4/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 45 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
71
47 public · 24 private
Avg Score
7.2
out of 10
Median Home
$785,073
home value · ACS
Districts
17
serving the city
Schools
71
47 public · 24 private
Avg Score
7.2
out of 10
Median Home
$785,073
home value · ACS
Districts
17
serving the city
STAAR proficiency rose +18.5 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among Scottsdale schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in Scottsdale
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (Top 10 of 45 rated schools; 71 schools in the directory). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Grayhawk Elementary School | 9.5 / 10 |
| 2 | Desert Canyon Elementary | 9.5 / 10 |
| 3 | Sequoya Elementary School | 9.4 / 10 |
| 4 | Liberty Elementary School | 9.3 / 10 |
| 5 | Anasazi Elementary | 9.3 / 10 |
| 6 | Cochise Elementary School | 9.1 / 10 |
| 7 | Laguna Elementary School | 9.1 / 10 |
| 8 | Basis Scottsdale Primary - West Campus | 9.0 / 10 |
| 9 | Desert Canyon Middle School | 9.0 / 10 |
| 10 | Basis Goodyear | 8.9 / 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
- 7.2/10
- Median household income
- $115,265
- Median home value
- $785,073
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 57%
- Avg commute
- 22 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 74%
62% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Scottsdale compares
Arizona rank
#9 of 97
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+0.9
above Arizona avg (6.3)
Median household income
$115k
162% of Arizona median
Schools in this city
63
Education Snapshot
Scottsdale, ArizonaScottsdale's 71 schools span 17 districts and enroll roughly 29,739 students, with the level mix weighted toward elementary — 43 elementary campuses, 14 high schools, and 6 middle schools fill out the main tiers. On MySchoolScout's composite scale, 63 scored schools average 7.4/10, more than a full point above the Arizona state average of 6.3/10. That rating advantage comes alongside a strong economic profile: the city's median household income of $112,638 runs 42% above the Arizona state median of $79,290, and 60% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Charter schools account for 14 of the 71 campuses, expanding the public-school choice set beyond traditional district attendance zones. On every available metric — composite rating, household income, and adult educational attainment — Scottsdale sits well above the Arizona baseline, making it one of the stronger school markets in the state.
17 districts draw attendance lines through Scottsdale
Scottsdale is not one school system. 17 districts cut across the city limits, and the largest still holds only 51% of the public campuses.
Scottsdale Unified District (4240) is the largest slice at 24 of 47 public schools — not a majority. Choosing a Scottsdale address is choosing a district first.
Among 45 public schools with real test data, composite scores run from 3.7 to 9.5 — the spread is inside Scottsdale, not a citywide average.
14 of the 47 public schools are charters (30%), so the district split is not the whole market.
- Scottsdale Unified District (4240)24 public · 51%
- Paradise Valley Unified District (4241)7 public · 15%
- Fit Kids Inc. Dba Champion Schools (78783)2 public · 4%
- Basis Charter Schools Inc. (783027)1 public · 2%
- Basis Charter Schools Inc. (81078)1 public · 2%
About Schools in Scottsdale, Arizona
Scottsdale's public school system spans 46 ranked schools, and the numbers lean heavily in parents' favor. The city average sits at 7.3 out of 10 — a strong baseline — and 30 of those 46 schools, 65% of the total, score 7 or higher. For most families moving to Scottsdale, a solid public school is likely within their attendance zone.
The elementary tier anchors the city's high performance. Four of the five top-rated schools are elementary campuses, and Desert Shadows Elementary leads all 46 ranked schools with a 9.2 out of 10 — the highest score in the city. Redfield Elementary (9.0) and Salt River Elementary (8.9) follow closely. Cheyenne Traditional School rounds out the elementary standouts at 8.8, joined at that mark by Desert Mountain High School, the top-rated high school in the ranked set.
For parents focused on the upper grades, Desert Mountain's 8.8 is a meaningful signal. The gap between the elementary ceiling — 9.2 at Desert Shadows — and the top high school score of 8.8 is narrow. That consistency suggests the district sustains quality across grade levels rather than concentrating resources in the early years and letting performance erode later.
Practically speaking, Scottsdale is a high-floor city for school searches. With 65% of schools scoring 7 or above, the odds of landing in a significantly underperforming school are low. Parents targeting the strongest campuses should prioritize Desert Shadows, Redfield, or Salt River for elementary and Desert Mountain for high school. Those with more geographic flexibility will find a wide band of strong mid-tier options that give them genuine choices without having to compete for one of a handful of elite addresses.
Elementary Schools
44 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 380 students · Pre-K–6th | 9.5 |
| 2 | 470 students · Pre-K–5th | 9.5 |
| 3 | 565 students · Pre-K–5th | 9.4 |
| 4 | 343 students · Pre-K–6th | 9.3 |
| 5 | 420 students · Pre-K–5th | 9.3 |
| 6 | 642 students · Pre-K–5th | 9.1 |
| 7 | 363 students · Pre-K–5th | 9.1 |
| 8 | 246 students · Kindergarten–6th | 9.1 |
| 9 | 465 students · Kindergarten–4th | 9.0 |
| 10 | 588 students · Pre-K–8th | 8.8 |
Show all 44 elementary schools in Scottsdale
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Middle Schools
6 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 428 students · 6th–8th | 9.0 |
| 2 | 734 students · 6th–8th | 8.5 |
| 3 | 798 students · 6th–8th | 8.2 |
| 4 | 851 students · 6th–8th | 7.7 |
| 5 | 545 students · 6th–8th | 6.2 |
| 6 | 387 students · 7th–8th | 6.0 |
High Schools
13 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 331 students · 5th–12th | 8.9 | ||
| 2 | 1,863 students · 7th–12th | 7.6 | ||
| 3 | 1,940 students · 9th–12th | 7.6 | ||
| 4 | 1,423 students · 9th–12th | 7.4 | ||
| 5 | 1,909 students · 9th–12th | 7.3 | ||
| 6 | 730 students · 9th–12th | 5.9 | ||
| 7 | 42 students · 9th–12th | 5.6 | ||
| 8 | 64 students · 9th–12th | 5.5 | ||
| 9 | 6 students · 9th–12th | — | ||
Private Schools4 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | 131 students · 9th–12th | Not Rated | ||
Show all 13 high schools in Scottsdale
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Other Schools
8 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 981 students · 4th–12th | 8.7 | ||
| 2 | 170 students · Kindergarten–12th | 7.3 | ||
Private Schools6 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Brightmont AcademyPrivate 63 students · 1st–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | The United School of AutismPrivate 71 students · 1st–11th | Not Rated | ||
| 3 | Brightmont AcademyPrivate 82 students · 1st–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 4 | 41 students · 1st–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 5 | Sierra Academy of ScottsdalePrivate 41 students · 2nd–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 6 | Ville De Marie AcademyPrivate 229 students · Kindergarten–12th | Not Rated | ||
Schools in Scottsdale
Scottsdale, Arizona · 71 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 11 ZIP codes
Median Income
$115,265
Median Home Value
$785,073
Median Rent
$1,903/mo
Population
296,728
College Educated
57%
Homeownership
74%
Avg Commute
22 min
Poverty Rate
8.8%
Community Profile
Scottsdale has a median household income of $115,265. It is a well-educated community where 57% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $785,073, with a median rent of $1,903/month. The local poverty rate of 8.8% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 22 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Arizona
- Elementary
- 44
- Middle
- 6
- High
- 13
- Other
- 8
Resources
School Districts (17)
Salt River Pima-Maricopa Community Schools (4320)
1 school · 64 students
Fit Kids Inc. dba Champion Schools (78783)
3 schools · 1,352 students
Little Lamb Community School (79050)
1 school · 125 students
BASIS Charter Schools Inc. (81078)
1 school · 981 students
West-MEC - Western Maricopa Education Center (80923)
59 schools · 423 students
Scottsdale Country Day School (91110)
1 school · 131 students
Hirsch Academy A Challenge Foundation (91275)
1 school · 173 students
Noah Webster Schools-Pima (92374)
1 school · 257 students
BASIS Charter Schools Inc. (92863)
1 school · 525 students
BASIS Charter Schools Inc. (92734)
1 school · 331 students
BASIS Charter Schools Inc. (92736)
1 school · 683 students
BASIS Charter Schools Inc. (783027)
1 school · 465 students
Candeo Schools Inc. (1001161)
1 school · 144 students
Online School of Arizona (1001719)
1 school · 42 students
Paradise Valley Unified District (4241)
45 schools · 27,034 students
Scottsdale Unified District (4240)
30 schools · 20,940 students
Salt River Elementary School
1 school · 246 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 Scottsdale, Arizona
How many schools are in Scottsdale, Arizona?
Scottsdale has 71 schools, including 47 public and 24 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Scottsdale, Arizona?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Scottsdale is 7.2 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 Scottsdale, Arizona?
The top-ranked school in Scottsdale on MySchoolScout is Grayhawk Elementary School with a composite score of 9.5/10.
What is the best elementary school in Scottsdale, Arizona?
The top-ranked elementary school in Scottsdale on MySchoolScout is Grayhawk Elementary School with a composite score of 9.5/10.
What is the best middle school in Scottsdale, Arizona?
The top-ranked middle school in Scottsdale on MySchoolScout is Desert Canyon Middle School with a composite score of 9.0/10.
What is the best high school in Scottsdale, Arizona?
The top-ranked high school in Scottsdale on MySchoolScout is Basis Goodyear with a composite score of 8.9/10.
How many school districts serve Scottsdale, Arizona?
Scottsdale is served by 17 school districts: Salt River Pima-Maricopa Community Schools (4320), Fit Kids Inc. Dba Champion Schools (78783), Little Lamb Community School (79050), Basis Charter Schools Inc. (81078), West-Mec - Western Maricopa Education Center (80923), Scottsdale Country Day School (91110), Hirsch Academy a Challenge Foundation (91275), Noah Webster Schools-Pima (92374), Basis Charter Schools Inc. (92863), Basis Charter Schools Inc. (92734), Basis Charter Schools Inc. (92736), Basis Charter Schools Inc. (783027), Candeo Schools Inc. (1001161), Online School of Arizona (1001719), Paradise Valley Unified District (4241), Scottsdale Unified District (4240), Salt River Elementary School.
What is the education level in Scottsdale, Arizona?
According to Census data, 57% of adults in Scottsdale have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Scottsdale, Arizona?
The median household income in Scottsdale is approximately $115,265 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Scottsdale, Arizona?
Yes, Scottsdale has 24 private schools alongside 47 public schools. The top-rated private school is Brightmont Academy with a score of 7.5/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Scottsdale, Arizona?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Scottsdale is 12.8:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Scottsdale, 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.