Photo: Marine 69-71 · CC BY-SA 4.0Apache Junction’s public schools score below 56% of Arizona districts on tests and graduation
On the state math tests, 18% of Apache Junction’s students scored proficient, below the Arizona average (35%). The grade covers the public school district serving Apache Junction, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Arizona, not nationally.
From Arizona state tests taken in spring 2022, when 97% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Apache Junction’s schools, in brief
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 23% of tested students were proficient in reading and 18% in math, against 40% and 35% statewide; 97% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
83% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 78% across Arizona. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $11,851 per student, against $12,318 across Arizona (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
Two elementary schools, then one middle and one high school
Which elementary school depends on the address; from grade 7 the district’s path is Cactus Canyon Junior High, then Apache Junction High School. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Avalon Elementary, Apache Trail High School, Imagine Prep Superstition, Imagine Superstition Middle and Thriving Minds Academy (private) are in town. Every school ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Apache Junction’s grade
C+: better than 44% of Arizona school districts, #101 of 139 Arizona towns. Graduation is above the Arizona average; test scores are below it.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Apache Junction, with each school’s own grade.
Pre-K in Apache Junction · depends on your address
Desert Vista Elementary School
Grades PK–6 · 435 students · 16:1 students per teacher
Four Peaks Elementary School
Grades PK–6 · 400 students · 14:1 students per teacher
Kindergarten in Apache Junction · depends on your address
Desert Vista Elementary School
Grades PK–6 · 435 students · 16:1 students per teacher
Four Peaks Elementary School
Grades PK–6 · 400 students · 14:1 students per teacher
1st grade in Apache Junction · depends on your address
Desert Vista Elementary School
Grades PK–6 · 435 students · 16:1 students per teacher
Four Peaks Elementary School
Grades PK–6 · 400 students · 14:1 students per teacher
2nd grade in Apache Junction · depends on your address
Desert Vista Elementary School
Grades PK–6 · 435 students · 16:1 students per teacher
Four Peaks Elementary School
Grades PK–6 · 400 students · 14:1 students per teacher
3rd grade in Apache Junction · depends on your address
Desert Vista Elementary School
Grades PK–6 · 435 students · 16:1 students per teacher
Four Peaks Elementary School
Grades PK–6 · 400 students · 14:1 students per teacher
4th grade in Apache Junction · depends on your address
Desert Vista Elementary School
Grades PK–6 · 435 students · 16:1 students per teacher
Four Peaks Elementary School
Grades PK–6 · 400 students · 14:1 students per teacher
5th grade in Apache Junction · depends on your address
Desert Vista Elementary School
Grades PK–6 · 435 students · 16:1 students per teacher
Four Peaks Elementary School
Grades PK–6 · 400 students · 14:1 students per teacher
6th grade in Apache Junction · depends on your address
Cactus Canyon Junior High
Grades 6–8 · 527 students · 19:1 students per teacher
Desert Vista Elementary School
Grades PK–6 · 435 students · 16:1 students per teacher
Four Peaks Elementary School
Grades PK–6 · 400 students · 14:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Apache Junction
Cactus Canyon Junior High
Grades 6–8 · 527 students · 19:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Apache Junction
Cactus Canyon Junior High
Grades 6–8 · 527 students · 19:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Apache Junction
Apache Junction High School
Grades 9–12 · 796 students · 17:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Apache Junction
Apache Junction High School
Grades 9–12 · 796 students · 17:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Apache Junction
Apache Junction High School
Grades 9–12 · 796 students · 17:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Apache Junction
Apache Junction High School
Grades 9–12 · 796 students · 17:1 students per teacher
Apache Junction’s public schools are run by Apache Junction Unified District. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
The district
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Well below the state in reading
Apache Junction vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Arizona towns that share Apache Junction’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Apache Junction | C+ | Apache Junction Unified District |
| Mesa | B | Mesa Unified District PK–12 · Tempe Union High 9–12 |
| Queen Creek | A− | Queen Creek Unified District PK–12 · J. O. Combs Unified PK–12 |
Every school in Apache Junction
9 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Arizona’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Left off: 4 public programs with fewer than 25 students (Superstition Mountain Elementary School, Mountain Shadows Education Center - Closed, EVIT - Apache Junction High School and EVIT East Apache Junction).
Questions about Apache Junction’s schools
Are Apache Junction’s schools good?
On Arizona’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Apache Junction children attend score below 56% of Arizona’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C+ Schools grade, #101 of 139 Arizona towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 43%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Apache Junction in?
Apache Junction Unified District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 2,440 students in 5 schools (2024–25).
Where do Apache Junction kids go to high school?
Apache Junction High School, with 796 students; its own test results earn a C−.
What is Apache Junction’s graduation rate?
83% of the class of 2023 in Apache Junction Unified District graduated in four years, against 78% across Arizona.
How much does Apache Junction spend per student?
$11,851 in Apache Junction Unified District (FY2024), against $12,318 across Arizona. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Apache Junction?
Yes: Thriving Minds Academy (special education, grades , 1 students). Apache Junction also has 4 charter schools, free and open by application.
Parents talk
What Apache Junction families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Apache Junction → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Arizona. Stars are from neighbors.