Photo: Chris J · CC BY-SA 2.0Maricopa’s public schools outscore 53% of Arizona districts
The grade covers the two public school districts serving Maricopa, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. On the state math tests, 27% of Maricopa’s students scored proficient, below the Arizona average (35%). 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 99% 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.
Maricopa’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 84 Arizona towns with household incomes within a quarter of Maricopa’s, its schools beat 38%, lower than their 53% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 35% of tested students were proficient in reading and 27% in math, against 40% and 35% statewide; 99% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
73% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 78% across Arizona. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
Casa Grande Union High spends $12,440 per student and Maricopa Unified $10,575, against $12,318 across Arizona (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓
Choice beyond the district
Student Choice High School - Maricopa, Legacy Traditional School - Maricopa, Leading Edge Academy Maricopa, Sequoia Pathway Academy, A+ Charter Schools and Heritage Academy Maricopa are in town. Maricopa Virtual Academy, 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 Maricopa’s grade
B−: better than 53% of Arizona school districts, #84 of 139 Arizona towns. Both inputs trail the Arizona average; test scores are the closer of the two to typical.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Maricopa, with each school’s own grade.
7th grade in Maricopa · depends on your address
Maricopa High School
Grades 6–12 · 1,840 students · 22:1 students per teacher
Maricopa Wells Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 940 students · 20:1 students per teacher
Desert Wind Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 898 students · 21:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Maricopa · depends on your address
Maricopa High School
Grades 6–12 · 1,840 students · 22:1 students per teacher
Maricopa Wells Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 940 students · 20:1 students per teacher
Desert Wind Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 898 students · 21:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Maricopa · depends on your address
Maricopa High School
Grades 6–12 · 1,840 students · 22:1 students per teacher
Desert Sunrise High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,261 students · 23:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Maricopa · depends on your address
Maricopa High School
Grades 6–12 · 1,840 students · 22:1 students per teacher
Desert Sunrise High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,261 students · 23:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Maricopa · depends on your address
Maricopa High School
Grades 6–12 · 1,840 students · 22:1 students per teacher
Desert Sunrise High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,261 students · 23:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Maricopa · depends on your address
Maricopa High School
Grades 6–12 · 1,840 students · 22:1 students per teacher
Desert Sunrise High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,261 students · 23:1 students per teacher
Maricopa runs its own schools through grade 12 (Maricopa Unified School District). From grade 9, students attend the Casa Grande Union High School District, shared with Casa Grande, Coolidge and Eloy. Parts of Maricopa (14% of its land) are served by Casa Grande Elementary District instead. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
Two districts serve Maricopa
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
Maricopa vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Arizona towns that share Maricopa’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Maricopa | B− | Maricopa Unified PK–12 · Casa Grande Union High 9–12 |
| Casa Grande | C− | Casa Grande Elementary District PK–8 · Casa Grande Union High 9–12 |
Every school in Maricopa
17 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 (CAVIT - Maricopa Unified, CAVIT - Desert Sunrise High School, Santa Rosa Preschool and Saddleback Preschool).
Questions about Maricopa’s schools
Are Maricopa’s schools good?
They sit near the middle of Arizona: the public schools Maricopa children attend outscore 53% of Arizona’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B− Schools grade, #84 of 139 Arizona towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 38%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Maricopa in?
Two districts: Maricopa Unified School District runs grades PK–12, and Casa Grande Union High School District runs grades 9–12, shared with Casa Grande, Coolidge and Eloy.
Where do Maricopa kids go to high school?
One of 2 high schools, depending on your address: Maricopa High School and Desert Sunrise High School.
What is Maricopa’s graduation rate?
73% of the class of 2023 in Casa Grande Union High School District graduated in four years, against 78% across Arizona.
How much does Maricopa spend per student?
$12,440 in Casa Grande Union High School District and $10,575 in Maricopa Unified School District (FY2024), against $12,318 across Arizona. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Parents talk
What Maricopa families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Maricopa → 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.