Arizona is located in the southwestern United States and is bordered by California, Nevada, Utah, New Mexico, and Mexico. It is the sixth largest state in the country with an area of 113,998 square miles. Arizona has 15 counties, which are divided into a number of cities and towns. The state also has a number of tribal nations that are recognized by the US government.
Arizona has 220 school districts that serve students across the state. These districts are organized on a county-wide basis and are primarily funded through local taxes as well as state and federal grants. All public schools must meet certain standards set forth by the Arizona Department of Education which include testing requirements for students in grades 3-8 as well as graduation requirements for high school students. Additionally, all public schools must provide an adequate level of education services including special education programs for students with disabilities or special needs.
The majority of Arizona‘s school districts receive funding from both local and state sources; however some districts receive additional funding from federal sources such as Title I grants or Impact Aid for Native Americans living on tribal lands within their district boundaries. Additionally, some districts may receive additional funds through various private grants or donations from individuals or organizations that support educational initiatives within their communities.
There are many public and private high schools in the state of Arizona. It is rather difficult for you to choose one that fits you most. In order for you to better evaluate your choice, we have ranked these high schools based on latest SAT/ACT scores, graduation rates, and state test scores from the Arizona Department of Education. See below for top 37 high schools throughout the state of Arizona.
| # | High Schools | Honor |
| 1 |
Arizona School for the Arts
Arizona School for the Arts School District Maricopa County, 1313 North 2nd Street Phoenix, AZ 85004 Telephone: (602) 257-1444 |
Bronze |
| 2 |
BASIS Tucson
Basis School, Inc. School District Pima County, 3825 East 2nd St Tucson, AZ 85716 Telephone: (520) 326-6367 |
Gold: #9 of 100 |
| 3 |
Carpe Diem Academy
Carpe Diem Collegiate High School School District Yuma County, 3777 W. 22nd Lane Yuma, AZ 85364 Telephone: (928) 317-3113 |
Bronze |
| 4 |
Catalina Foothills High School
Catalina Foothills Unified District Pima County, 4300 E Sunrise Dr Tucson, AZ 85718 Telephone: (520) 299-6446 |
Silver |
| 5 |
Chaparral High School
Scottsdale Unified District Maricopa County, 6935 E. Gold Dust Scottsdale, AZ 85253 Telephone: (480) 484-6100 |
Silver |
| 6 |
Cortez High School
Glendale Union High School District Maricopa County, 8828 N. 31st Avenue Phoenix, AZ 85051 Telephone: (623) 435-6000 |
Bronze |
| 7 |
Desert Mountain High School
Scottsdale Unified District Maricopa County, 12575 E. Via Linda Scottsdale, AZ 85259 Telephone: (480) 484-7000 |
Silver |
| 8 |
Desert Vista High School
Tempe Union High School District Maricopa County, 16440 S 32nd St Phoenix, AZ 85048 Telephone: (480) 839-0292 |
Bronze |
| 9 |
Dobson High School
Mesa Unified District Maricopa County, 1501 W Guadalupe Mesa, AZ 85202 Telephone: (480) 472-0200 |
Bronze |
| 10 |
Foothills Academy
Foothills Academy School District Maricopa County, 7191 East Ashler Hills Drive Scottsdale, AZ 85262 Telephone: (480) 488-5583 |
Bronze |
| 11 |
Greenway High School
Glendale Union High School District Maricopa County, 3930 W. Greenway Road Phoenix, AZ 85053 Telephone: (623) 435-6000 |
Bronze |
| 12 |
Highland High School
Gilbert Unified District Maricopa County, 4301 East Guadalupe Road Gilbert, AZ 85234 Telephone: (480) 497-3452 |
Bronze |
| 13 |
Horizon High School
Paradise Valley Unified District Maricopa County, 5601 E Greenway Road Scottsdale, AZ 85254 Telephone: (602) 867-5100 |
Silver |
| 14 |
Independence High School
Glendale Union High School District Maricopa County, 6602 N. 75th Avenue Glendale, AZ 85303 Telephone: (623) 435-6000 |
Bronze |
| 15 |
Joseph City High School
Joseph City Unified District Navajo County, 4629 2nd North Joseph City, AZ 86032 Telephone: (928) 288-3307 |
Bronze |
| 16 |
Mesa High School
Mesa Unified District Maricopa County, 1630 East Southern Ave Mesa, AZ 85204 Telephone: (480) 472-0200 |
Bronze |
| 17 |
Moon Valley High School
Glendale Union High School District Maricopa County, 3625 W Cactus Rd Phoenix, AZ 85029 Telephone: (623) 435-6000 |
Bronze |
| 18 |
Mountain View High School
Mesa Unified District Maricopa County, 2700 E Brown Road Mesa, AZ 85213 Telephone: (480) 472-0200 |
Silver |
| 19 |
New World Educational Center
New World Educational Center School District Maricopa County1, 313 North 2nd Street Suite 2 Phoenix, AZ 85004 Telephone: (602) 238-9577 |
Bronze |
| 20 |
Nogales High School
Nogales Unified District Santa Cruz County, 1905 Apache Blvd Nogales, AZ 85621 Telephone: (520) 377-2021 |
Silver |
| 21 |
Northland Preparatory Academy
Northland Preparatory Academy School District Coconino County, 3300 W. Sparrow Ave. Flagstaff, AZ 86004 Telephone: (928) 214-8776 |
Honorable Mention |
| 22 |
Parker High School
Parker Unified School District La Paz County, 1600 Kofa Avenue Parker, AZ 85344 Telephone: (928) 669-9244 |
Bronze |
| 23 |
Precision Academy
Avondale Learning DBA Precision Academy School District Maricopa County, 7318 West Lynwood St. Phoenix, AZ 85043 Telephone: (623) 936-8682 |
Bronze |
| 24 |
Red Mountain High School
Mesa Unified District Maricopa County, 7301 East Brown Road Mesa, AZ 85207 Telephone: (480) 472-0200 |
Bronze |
| 25 |
Rio Rico High School
Santa Cruz Valley Unified District Santa Cruz County, 1374 W. Frontage Road Rio Rico, AZ 85648 Telephone: (520) 281-8282 |
Bronze |
| 26 |
San Manuel High School
Mammoth-San Manuel Unified District Pinal County, 711 McNab Parkway San Manuel, AZ 85631 Telephone: (520) 385-2337 |
Bronze |
| 27 |
Skyline High School
Mesa Unified District Maricopa County, 845 S Crismon Mesa, AZ 85208 Telephone: (480) 472-0200 |
Bronze |
| 28 |
Sonoran Science Academy
Daisy Education Corporation School District Pima County, 2325 W. Sunset Rd. Tucson, AZ 85741 Telephone: (520) 797-9836 |
Silver |
| 29 |
South Ridge High School
American Charter Schools Foundation DBA South Ridge High School School District Maricopa County, 1122 S. 67th Ave. Phoenix, AZ 85043 Telephone: (602) 953-2933 |
Bronze |
| 30 |
Sunnyslope High School
Glendale Union High School District Maricopa County, 35 West Dunlap Phoenix, AZ 85021 Telephone: (623) 435-6000 |
Bronze |
| 31 |
Tempe Preparatory Academy
Tempe Preparatory Academy School District Maricopa County, 1251 E. Southern Ave Tempe, AZ 85283 Telephone: (480) 839-3402 |
Bronze |
| 32 |
Thunderbird High School
Glendale Union High School District Maricopa County, 1750 W. Thunderbird Phoenix, AZ 85023 Telephone: (623) 435-6000 |
Bronze |
| 33 |
Tri – City College Preparatory High School
Mary Ellen Halvorson Educational Foundation DBA Tri-City College Prep High School School District Yavapai County, 5522 Side Road Prescott, AZ 86301 Telephone: (928) 777-0403 |
Bronze |
| 34 |
University High School
Tucson Unified District Pima County, 421 N. Arcadia Blvd. Tucson, AZ 85711 Telephone: (520) 225-6060 |
Gold: #21 of 100 |
| 35 |
Veritas Preparatory Academy
Veritas Preparatory Academy School District Maricopa County, 2131 East Lincoln Drive Phoenix, AZ 85016 Telephone: (602) 263-1128 |
Bronze |
| 36 |
Washington High School
Glendale Union High School District Maricopa County, 2217 W. Glendale Ave. Phoenix, AZ 85021 Telephone: (623) 435-6000 |
Silver |
| 37 |
Westwind Preparatory Academy
Westwind Children’s Services School District Maricopa County, 2045 W. Northern Avenue Phoenix, AZ 85021 Telephone: (602) 864-7731 |
Bronze |
Walnut Canyon National Monument
In 1915, Walnut Canyon Park was declared near the Arizona town of Flagstaff, which protects the 180-meter-deep canyon that created the flow of the local small river for thousands of years. Over time, the river penetrated the Kaibab limestone massif, which is part of a large plateau. The river falls into the Little Colorado River and drains into the Grand Canyon.
The first people to inhabit this area 900 years ago were the Sinagua Indians. The Indians were engaged in farming and agriculture, cultivating numerous fields of beans, grains and pumpkins. They created dwellings in large rock overhangs, which were created by uneven weathering of individual layers. Dozens of these dwellings have been preserved to this day.
The ruins of historic dwellings are relatively well preserved. You will reach them on a 1.5 km long road that descends steeply 240 steps, and you will suddenly find yourself in the middle of the canyon depth. The road then leads around a rocky outcrop, where there are 20 preserved dwellings.
Extensive archaeological research has shown that the area has been permanently inhabited for more than 2,000 years. The first settlers in the 13th century left their homes for unknown reasons and went nowhere. The place thus remained abandoned and untouched by anyone for 600 years. At the top of the canyon is now the Visitor Center, from where there is a beautiful panoramic view of the area. From here you can take the second hiking trail, which does not descend to the canyon, but ends at a nearby lookout. Inside the visitor center, you can get acquainted with the Indian lifestyle and view the exhibits found in the area.