Best Schools in Tempe, Arizona
67 schools · 35 Elementary · 6 Middle · 20 High · 6 Other
Choosing a school in Tempe?
Use this page to compare every school in Tempe 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.
Mckemy Academy of International Studies
Middle · Tempe School District (4258). Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Arredondo Elementary School
Elementary · Tempe School District (4258). Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Meyer Montessori
Elementary · Tempe School District (4258). Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Tempe for 2026 are Mckemy Academy of International Studies (9.1/10), Arredondo Elementary School (9.0/10), and Meyer Montessori (9.0/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 49 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
67
55 public · 12 private
Avg Score
6.6
out of 10
Median Home
$447,575
home value · ACS
Districts
23
serving the city
Schools
67
55 public · 12 private
Avg Score
6.6
out of 10
Median Home
$447,575
home value · ACS
Districts
23
serving the city
STAAR proficiency rose +13.0 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among Tempe schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in Tempe
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (Top 10 of 49 rated schools; 67 schools in the directory). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mckemy Academy of International Studies | 9.1 / 10 |
| 2 | Arredondo Elementary School | 9.0 / 10 |
| 3 | Meyer Montessori | 9.0 / 10 |
| 4 | C I Waggoner School | 8.8 / 10 |
| 5 | Aguilar School | 8.7 / 10 |
| 6 | Joseph P. Spracale Elementary School | 8.7 / 10 |
| 7 | Broadmor Elementary School | 8.4 / 10 |
| 8 | Ward Traditional Academy | 8.2 / 10 |
| 9 | Kyrene De Los Ninos School | 8.1 / 10 |
| 10 | Kyrene Del Norte School | 8.0 / 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
- 6.6/10
- Median household income
- $93,476
- Median home value
- $447,575
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 51%
- Avg commute
- 21 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 50%
39% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Tempe compares
Arizona rank
#33 of 97
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+0.2
above Arizona avg (6.3)
Median household income
$93k
132% of Arizona median
Schools in this city
61
Education Snapshot
Tempe, ArizonaTempe operates 67 schools across 23 school districts, enrolling roughly 30,245 students in a level mix that concentrates in elementary (36 schools) while fielding 20 high schools and only 7 dedicated middle schools. Across 61 schools with enough data to score, the city's average MySchoolScout composite rating is 6.2/10 — one-tenth of a point below Arizona's state average of 6.3/10, a modest shortfall that contrasts with the city's above-average economic profile. Median household income is $89,029, running 12% above Arizona's $79,290 statewide median, and 49% of Tempe adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Charter schools represent a meaningful share of the supply: 22 of the 67 schools are charters, meaning roughly one in three operates outside the conventional district assignment system and gives families an active choice to make when navigating the school landscape here.
23 districts draw attendance lines through Tempe
Tempe is not one school system. 23 districts cut across the city limits, and the largest still holds only 38% of the public campuses.
Tempe School District (4258) is the largest slice at 21 of 55 public schools — not a majority. Choosing a Tempe address is choosing a district first.
Among 49 public schools with real test data, composite scores run from 3.0 to 9.1 — the spread is inside Tempe, not a citywide average.
22 of the 55 public schools are charters (40%), so the district split is not the whole market.
- Tempe School District (4258)21 public · 38%
- Kyrene Elementary District (4267)7 public · 13%
- Tempe Union High School District (4287)5 public · 9%
- Humanities and Sciences Academy of the United Stat (4337)2 public · 4%
- Pinnacle Education-Tempe Inc. (81001)2 public · 4%
About Schools in Tempe, Arizona
Tempe's public school system spans 52 ranked schools, giving families a wide field to navigate. The city averages 6.2 out of 10 across all ranked schools — a moderate baseline that masks real performance variation at both ends. Seventeen schools, or 33% of the total, clear the 7-point threshold, meaning families willing to look beyond their nearest assignment have meaningful choices within city limits.
At the top, Arizona Language Schools stands apart with a 9.4 rating, the highest score in Tempe and a strong signal for families prioritizing academic rigor at the elementary level. Rover Elementary follows at 9.2, giving parents two elite elementary options before the list reaches the mid-tier. Tempe Preparatory Academy leads the high school field with an 8.1, landing in the same band as Center for Educational Excellence and Kyrene de los Ninos, both elementary schools also rated 8.1. That cluster of three schools at the 8.1 mark reflects a competitive middle range worth attention — not the ceiling, but well above the city average.
The practical picture: Tempe's elementary options outperform its secondary options at the top of the rankings, so families with younger children have more high-rated schools to consider. The 33% of schools scoring 7 or above is a workable number — enough that most parts of the city have a strong performer within range, but narrow enough that school selection matters. Parents should not rely on geography alone.
The 6.2 city average tells you that the bulk of Tempe schools sit in an adequate-to-good range, not outstanding. That benchmark matters when comparing Tempe to peer Arizona cities or suburban alternatives. For families targeting the strongest academic environments, the data points clearly: the top five schools are all rated 8.1 or higher and span elementary through high school. Compare them by enrollment criteria, program focus, and commute before committing to a zone — proximity to the top of this list is worth the extra step.
Elementary Schools
35 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 47 students · Kindergarten–5th | 9.3 |
| 2 | 463 students · Pre-K–5th | 9.0 |
| 3 | 189 students · Pre-K–6th | 9.0 |
| 4 | 425 students · Pre-K–5th | 8.8 |
| 5 | 419 students · Pre-K–5th | 8.7 |
| 6 | 382 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.7 |
| 7 | 619 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.4 |
| 8 | 371 students · Kindergarten–8th | 8.2 |
| 9 | 393 students · Pre-K–5th | 8.1 |
| 10 | 482 students · Pre-K–5th | 8.0 |
Show all 35 elementary schools in Tempe
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 | 338 students · 6th–8th | 9.1 |
| 2 | 76 students · 6th–8th | 7.6 |
| 3 | 725 students · 5th–8th | 6.8 |
| 4 | 915 students · 6th–8th | 5.7 |
| 5 | 708 students · 6th–8th | 5.2 |
| 6 | 673 students · 6th–8th | 5.2 |
High Schools
20 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 440 students · 6th–12th | 7.7 |
| 2 | 2,668 students · 9th–12th | 7.2 |
| 3 | 193 students · 9th–12th | 7.0 |
| 4 | 190 students · 9th–12th | 6.3 |
| 5 | 140 students · 6th–12th | 6.2 |
| 6 | 1,757 students · 9th–12th | 5.9 |
| 7 | 1,458 students · 9th–12th | 5.6 |
| 8 | 40 students · 9th–12th | 5.4 |
| 9 | 231 students · 7th–12th | 5.3 |
| 10 | 1,485 students · 9th–12th | 5.3 |
Show all 20 high schools in Tempe
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Other Schools
6 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 99 students · Pre-K–12th | 6.5 | ||
| 2 | 3,563 students · Kindergarten–12th | 6.0 | ||
Private Schools4 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Az Aspire AcademyPrivate 288 students · 1st–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | Accel East CampusPrivate 67 students · Kindergarten–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 3 | 900 students · Kindergarten–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 4 | The Aces-TempePrivate 10 students · 3rd–12th | Not Rated | ||
Schools in Tempe
Tempe, Arizona · 67 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 4 ZIP codes
Median Income
$93,476
Median Home Value
$447,575
Median Rent
$1,747/mo
Population
191,712
College Educated
51%
Homeownership
50%
Avg Commute
21 min
Poverty Rate
14.0%
Community Profile
Tempe has a median household income of $93,476. It is a well-educated community where 51% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $447,575, with a median rent of $1,747/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.0%. The average commute for residents is 21 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Arizona
- Elementary
- 35
- Middle
- 6
- High
- 20
- Other
- 6
Resources
School Districts (23)
New School For The Arts (4316)
1 school · 190 students
Tempe Preparatory Academy (4361)
1 school · 440 students
Ombudsman Educational Services Ltd.a subsidiary (4323)
8 schools · 1,520 students
Humanities and Sciences Academy of the United Stat (4337)
3 schools · 351 students
Allen-Cochran Enterprises Inc. (4347)
1 school · 325 students
Kaizen Education Foundation dba South Pointe Eleme (79233)
1 school · 289 students
James Madison Preparatory School (79063)
1 school · 140 students
Kestrel Schools Inc. (79065)
1 school · 30 students
GAR LLC dba Student Choice High School (78997)
4 schools · 2,036 students
ASU Preparatory Academy (89949)
2 schools · 532 students
ASU Preparatory Academy (90273)
1 school · 99 students
Educational Options Foundation (90201)
2 schools · 515 students
George Gervin Youth Center Inc. (90884)
1 school · 159 students
New School for the Arts Middle School (80985)
1 school · 76 students
Pinnacle Education-Tempe Inc. (81001)
2 schools · 257 students
Pinnacle Education-Kino Inc. (81009)
1 school · 58 students
ASU Preparatory Academy (346763)
1 school · 231 students
ASU Preparatory Academy (92716)
1 school · 70 students
ASU Preparatory Academy Digital (522074)
1 school · 3,563 students
Arizona Language Schools (395879)
1 school · 47 students
Kyrene Elementary District (4267)
26 schools · 13,800 students
Tempe School District (4258)
23 schools · 10,293 students
Tempe Union High School District (4287)
8 schools · 12,002 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 Tempe, Arizona
How many schools are in Tempe, Arizona?
Tempe has 67 schools, including 55 public and 12 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Tempe, Arizona?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Tempe is 6.6 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 Tempe, Arizona?
The top-ranked school in Tempe on MySchoolScout is Mckemy Academy of International Studies with a composite score of 9.1/10.
What is the best elementary school in Tempe, Arizona?
The top-ranked elementary school in Tempe on MySchoolScout is Arredondo Elementary School with a composite score of 9.0/10.
What is the best middle school in Tempe, Arizona?
The top-ranked middle school in Tempe on MySchoolScout is Mckemy Academy of International Studies with a composite score of 9.1/10.
What is the best high school in Tempe, Arizona?
The top-ranked high school in Tempe on MySchoolScout is Tempe Preparatory Academy with a composite score of 7.7/10.
How many school districts serve Tempe, Arizona?
Tempe is served by 23 school districts: New School for the Arts (4316), Tempe Preparatory Academy (4361), Ombudsman Educational Services Ltd.a Subsidiary (4323), Humanities and Sciences Academy of the United Stat (4337), Allen-Cochran Enterprises Inc. (4347), Kaizen Education Foundation Dba South Pointe Eleme (79233), James Madison Preparatory School (79063), Kestrel Schools Inc. (79065), Gar Llc Dba Student Choice High School (78997), Asu Preparatory Academy (89949), Asu Preparatory Academy (90273), Educational Options Foundation (90201), George Gervin Youth Center Inc. (90884), New School for the Arts Middle School (80985), Pinnacle Education-Tempe Inc. (81001), Pinnacle Education-Kino Inc. (81009), Asu Preparatory Academy (346763), Asu Preparatory Academy (92716), Asu Preparatory Academy Digital (522074), Arizona Language Schools (395879), Kyrene Elementary District (4267), Tempe School District (4258), Tempe Union High School District (4287).
What is the education level in Tempe, Arizona?
According to Census data, 51% of adults in Tempe have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Tempe, Arizona?
The median household income in Tempe is approximately $93,476 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Tempe, Arizona?
Yes, Tempe has 12 private schools alongside 55 public schools. The top-rated private school is Az Aspire Academy with a score of 7.7/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Tempe, Arizona?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Tempe is 13.7:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Tempe, 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.