Lake Havasu City’s public schools outscore 67% of Arizona districts
The grade covers the public school district serving Lake Havasu City, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. 88% of Lake Havasu City’s students graduate on time, above the Arizona average (78%). 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 98% 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.
Lake Havasu City’s schools, in brief
Better than its incomes would predict
Among the 153 Arizona towns with household incomes within a quarter of Lake Havasu City’s, its schools beat 80%, higher than their 67% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Above the state in math, below in reading
Reading proficiency is 39% and math 38% in spring 2022, against 40% and 35% statewide; 88% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 78%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $10,220 per student, against $12,318 across Arizona (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
Six elementary schools, then one middle and one high school
Which elementary school depends on the address; from grade 7 the district’s path is Thunderbolt Middle School, then Lake Havasu High School. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Telesis Preparatory Academy, Telesis Preparatory, Havasu Preparatory Academy and Our Lady of the Lake Catholic School (private) are in town. Havasuonline, an online school, is based here too; it isn’t counted as a local school. 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 Lake Havasu City’s grade
B+: better than 67% of Arizona school districts, #46 of 139 Arizona towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the Arizona average; graduation is the stronger of the two.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Lake Havasu City, with each school’s own grade.
Pre-K in Lake Havasu City · depends on your address
Smoketree Elementary School
Grades PK–6 · 543 students · 21:1 students per teacher
Oro Grande Classical Academy
Grades PK–6 · 367 students · 20:1 students per teacher
Nautilus Elementary School
Grades PK–6 · 345 students · 19:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Lake Havasu City
Thunderbolt Middle School
Grades 7–8 · 734 students · 22:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Lake Havasu City
Thunderbolt Middle School
Grades 7–8 · 734 students · 22:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Lake Havasu City
Lake Havasu High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,523 students · 22:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Lake Havasu City
Lake Havasu High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,523 students · 22:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Lake Havasu City
Lake Havasu High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,523 students · 22:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Lake Havasu City
Lake Havasu High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,523 students · 22:1 students per teacher
Lake Havasu City’s public schools are run by Lake Havasu 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.
Close to the state in reading
Lake Havasu City vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Arizona towns that share Lake Havasu City’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Lake Havasu City | B+ | Lake Havasu Unified District |
Every school in Lake Havasu City
13 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 (WAVE - Lake Havasu High School, WAVE-Central Campus, WAVE - Mohave Community College Lake Havasu City Campus and Daytona Middle School).
Questions about Lake Havasu City’s schools
Are Lake Havasu City’s schools good?
By Arizona’s own tests, yes: the public schools Lake Havasu City children attend outscore 67% of Arizona’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B+ Schools grade, #46 of 139 Arizona towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 80%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Lake Havasu City in?
Lake Havasu Unified District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 5,228 students in 9 schools (2024–25).
Where do Lake Havasu City kids go to high school?
Lake Havasu High School, with 1,523 students; its own test results earn a B.
What is Lake Havasu City’s graduation rate?
88% of the class of 2023 in Lake Havasu Unified District graduated in four years, against 78% across Arizona.
How much does Lake Havasu City spend per student?
$10,220 in Lake Havasu Unified District (FY2024), against $12,318 across Arizona. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Lake Havasu City?
Yes: Our Lady of the Lake Catholic School (Catholic, grades PK–7, 130 students). Lake Havasu City also has 3 charter schools, free and open by application.
Parents talk
What Lake Havasu City families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Lake Havasu City → 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.