Phoenix metro has several of the nation's best public schools, Niche report shows

Phoenix metro has several of the nation's best public schools, Niche report shows

By Jeff Gifford

Several of the top 25 public schools in the Phoenix metro also happen to be among the best K-12 schools in the nation — including six of the top 10 public elementary and middle schools in the U.S. — according to the latest rankings from Niche.

As has been the case in past years, the 2024 list from the online education data platform has been led by Basis charter schools around the Valley. This time around, Basis Phoenix took the top spot for the Valley, putting last year’s leader, Basis Scottsdale, into second place. Other ranking Basis schools were those in Mesa, Ahwatukee, Chandler and Peoria — including some primary schools.

Since the Arizona Legislature approved the state's charter school law in 1994, hundreds of charter school operators have started these publicly funded, tuition-free schools.

The 2024 rankings found that five Valley schools were among the top 100 high schools in the nation, with Basis Phoenix coming in at No. 48. Behind that were Basis Scottsdale (No. 51), Basis Mesa (No. 52), Aspire, Deer Valley’s Online Academy (No. 74) and Basis Ahwatukee (No. 75).

When it comes to the best public elementary schools in America, Niche placed 18 Valley institutions in the top 100, with Basis Mesa leading the way at No. 4. That was followed immediately by Aspire, Deer Valley’s Online Academy (No. 5), Khalsa Montessori Elementary School at Virginia in Phoenix (No. 6) and Great Hearts Academies – Archway Lincoln in Chandler (No. 7).

Rounding out the nation’s top 20 elementary schools were Basis Peoria Primary School at No. 11, Archway Classical Academy – Glendale at No. 13, Montessori Education Centre Charter School – Mesa at No. 18 and Basis Chandler Primary – South Campus at No. 20.

As for middle schools, Basis Phoenix was No. 6 in the nation to lead 16 Valley schools that ranked in the top 100 nationwide. Those making the top 20 were Basis Scottsdale (No. 7) and Basis Mesa (No. 8), Aspire, Deer Valley’s Online Academy (No. 11), Basis Ahwatukee (No. 12), Basis Chandler (No. 14), Basis Peoria (No. 15) and Tempe Preparatory Academy (No. 19).

It’s the 10th year that Niche, which is based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has compiled its school rankings. Niche said it bases its rankings on an analysis of data from the U.S. Department of Education, Census Bureau and other federal sources. It also compiles test scores, college data and ratings from Niche users, in addition to input from the schools themselves.

Niche has also separately ranked the top private schools in the Phoenix metro.

Niche’s ranking of the top 25 public schools in the Phoenix metro: