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Average

#1564 of 2,000 schools in AZ

Arizona Preparatory Academy

High School · North Star Charter School Inc. (79701)

10720 W Indian School Rd., Phoenix, AZ 85037

Charter

Enrollment

1,554

Score

5.1

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Phoenix

#20 of 24

public schools

Arizona high schools

#349 of 429

Academic growth

7.6 / 10

Very strong

About Arizona Preparatory Academy

Arizona Preparatory Academy serves 1,554 high school students in grades 9-12 as an alternative charter school in Phoenix. Located on West Indian School Road, this large alternative education program provides specialized learning environments for students who may benefit from non-traditional educational approaches. The school currently faces academic challenges, with 15% of students demonstrating proficiency in both English Language Arts and mathematics across all grade levels.

With a MySchoolScout rating of 3.2 out of 10 and ranking at #1843 among Arizona's 2029 high schools, Arizona Preparatory Academy is working to support student academic growth and development through its alternative educational model. As an alternative school, Arizona Preparatory Academy likely serves students with diverse educational needs, backgrounds, and circumstances that may not be well-suited to traditional high school settings. These specialized programs often focus on individualized learning approaches, flexible scheduling, and wraparound services to help students succeed.

The school is situated in the 85037 ZIP code area, where the median household income is $75,281 and median home value reaches $244,900. This established Phoenix neighborhood has a population of nearly 52,000 residents, with 14% holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a poverty rate of 14.2%, reflecting a working-class community with mixed economic circumstances.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at Arizona Preparatory Academy are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

Arizona Preparatory Academy is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress7.6Very Good25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.78 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics3.2Fair25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency15%
Reading/ELA Proficiency15%
Overall Proficiency15%
Expected (poverty-adj.)38%
vs. Expected-23.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile13th
College Readiness7.1Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment1.4Significantly Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Per-Pupil Spending$6,697

Arizona Preparatory Academy — Students at Arizona Preparatory Academy score 15% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 38%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

0.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores AZ EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 14.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 15.7%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from AZ state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
17%
ELA
22%
2021*
Math
10%
ELA
10%
2022
Math
15%
ELA
15%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 7.6/10.

How Arizona Preparatory Academy Compares

See how Arizona Preparatory Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.1/10
22th percentile in AZ
Academic
3.2/10
3.2/10
Growth
7.6/10
Above average
Environment
1.4/10
Below average

Location

10720 W Indian School Rd., Phoenix, AZ 85037

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Arizona Preparatory Academy may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Arizona Insight Academy (rated 6.2/10, 1.3 miles away, in nearby Glendale), which scores notably higher. Another option is Westview High School (rated 5.7/10, 1.2 miles away, in nearby Avondale), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Copper Canyon High School (rated 4.3/10, 1.5 miles away, in nearby Glendale), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Phoenix, see our Phoenix schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Legacy Traditional School - Phoenix Chandler 0.5 mi 5.9
Legacy Traditional School - North Phoenix Phoenix 0.5 mi 7.1
Pendergast Elementary School Phoenix 0.9 mi 5.8
Villa De Paz Elementary School Phoenix 1.0 mi 5.4
Arizona Insight Academy Glendale 1.3 mi 6.2
Copper King Elementary Phoenix 1.2 mi 5.4
Westview High School Avondale 1.2 mi 5.7
West-MEC - West View High School Glendale 1.2 mi
Garden Lakes Elementary School Avondale 1.2 mi 5.4
Sonoran Sky Elementary School Glendale 1.5 mi 6.0
West-MEC - Copper Canyon High School Glendale 1.4 mi
Westwind Elementary School Phoenix 1.3 mi 5.9
Copper Canyon High School Glendale 1.5 mi 4.3
Sheely Farms Elementary School Phoenix 1.6 mi 5.4
Rio Vista Elementary Avondale 1.7 mi 4.8
Desert Horizon Elementary School Phoenix 1.8 mi 5.0
Pan-American Charter School Phoenix 2.1 mi 2.9
Sunset Ridge Elementary School Glendale 2.3 mi 4.7
Desert Oasis Elementary School Tolleson 2.4 mi 7.5
Edison School of Innovation Glendale 2.3 mi 4.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 85037 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$81,919

Median Home Value

$290,600

Median Rent

$1,649/mo

Population

53,041

College Educated

13.7%

Homeownership

60.4%

Avg Commute

28 min

Poverty Rate

12.8%

Median Age

30.4

Community Profile

The community surrounding Arizona Preparatory Academy has a median household income of $81,919. It is a community where 14% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $290,600, with a median rent of $1,649/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.8%. The average commute for residents is 28 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Paradise Honors High School Surprise, AZ 5.1
Vista Grande High School Casa Grande, AZ 5.1
BROPHY COLLEGE PREPARATORY Phoenix, AZ 5.2
Greenway High School Phoenix, AZ 5.2
Mohave High School Bullhead City, AZ 5.2
Yuma High School Yuma, AZ 5.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Arizona Preparatory Academy

What grades does Arizona Preparatory Academy serve?

Arizona Preparatory Academy serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Arizona Preparatory Academy?

Arizona Preparatory Academy has an enrollment of approximately 1,554 students.

How does Arizona Preparatory Academy rank in AZ?

Arizona Preparatory Academy is ranked #1564 out of 2,000 schools in AZ.

What is Arizona Preparatory Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

Arizona Preparatory Academy has a composite rating of 5.1 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Arizona Preparatory Academy?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Arizona Preparatory Academy has 14.0% math proficiency and 15.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Arizona Preparatory Academy a charter school?

Yes, Arizona Preparatory Academy is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.

Is Arizona Preparatory Academy a Title I school?

No, Arizona Preparatory Academy is not currently a Title I school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
29 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
35 Some Transit
Bike Score
42 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (3,139/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Phoenix). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,554
Type
alternative
Setting
Large City
County
Maricopa County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

North Star Charter School Inc. (79701)
District Enrollment
1,554
Schools in District
1
Per-Pupil Spending
$10,279
District Rank
#1 of 1

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

Related reading

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