Photo: User:Ceemo · CC BY-SA 3.0Peoria’s public schools outscore 77% of Arizona districts
46% of students in Peoria’s public schools are proficient in math, above the Arizona average (35%). The grade covers the three public school districts serving Peoria, 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 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.
Peoria’s schools, in brief
Better than its incomes would predict
Among the 83 Arizona towns with household incomes within a quarter of Peoria’s, its schools beat 90%, higher than their 77% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 49% and math 46% across its districts in spring 2022, against 40% and 35% statewide; 81% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 78%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
Glendale Union High spends $11,218 per student and Peoria Unified $10,564, against $12,318 across Arizona (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓
25 elementary schools, then four high schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Ombudsman - Charter Northwest, Student Choice High School, Peoria Accelerated High School, Westland School Brighton Campus, Happy Valley School, Candeo Peoria, Great Hearts Academies - Glendale Prep, BASIS Peoria, Great Hearts Academies - Archway Glendale, Academy of Math and Science Peoria Advanced, Arizona Autism Charter School West Valley Campus, Legacy Traditional School ? Peoria, BASIS Peoria Primary, Explore Academy - Peoria, Aces-Peoria (private), Peoria Ave Preschool (private), Cross of Glory Lutheran School (private), Guidepost Montessori at Peoria (private), Big Dreams Preschool / Kindergarten (private), Sierra School of Peoria (private), Black Mountain Science Academy (private), Primrose School of Fletcher Heights (private) and Little Scholars Academy (private) are in town. EdOptions HS Learning Center, 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 Peoria’s grade
A−: better than 77% of Arizona school districts, #16 of 139 Arizona towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the Arizona average; test scores are the stronger of the two.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Peoria, with each school’s own grade.
Parts of Peoria (15% and 11% of its land) are served by Nadaburg Unified and Wickenburg Unified District instead. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
Three districts serve Peoria
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Well above the state in reading
Peoria vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Arizona towns that share Peoria’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Peoria | A− | Peoria Unified PK–12 · Deer Valley Unified District PK–12 · Glendale Union High 9–12 |
| Glendale | B+ | Glendale Elementary District PK–8 · Peoria Unified PK–12 · Deer Valley Unified District PK–12 |
| Phoenix | B+ | Deer Valley Unified District PK–12 · Phoenix Union High 9–12 |
| Surprise | B+ | Dysart Unified District PK–12 · Nadaburg Unified PK–12 |
2 of the 3 neighbors share Deer Valley Unified District with Peoria for grades PK–12, so their letters differ mainly through the lower grades.
Every school in Peoria
54 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: 8 public programs with fewer than 25 students (Paramount Academy, West-MEC - Sunrise Mountain High School, West-MEC - Liberty High School, West-MEC - Peoria Transition Center, West-MEC - Centennial High School, West-MEC - Peoria High School, Sonoran Science Academy-Peoria and RCB College Preparatory Academy).
Questions about Peoria’s schools
Are Peoria’s schools good?
By Arizona’s own tests, yes: the public schools Peoria children attend outscore 77% of Arizona’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A− Schools grade, #16 of 139 Arizona towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 90%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Peoria in?
Glendale Union High School District, which runs grades 9–12 and enrolls 16,040 students in 11 schools (2024–25). Small parts of Peoria are served by Nadaburg Unified and Wickenburg Unified District.
Where do Peoria kids go to high school?
One of 4 high schools, depending on your address: Liberty High School, Centennial High School, Sunrise Mountain High School and Peoria High School.
What is Peoria’s graduation rate?
81% of the class of 2023 in Glendale Union High School District graduated in four years, against 78% across Arizona.
How much does Peoria spend per student?
$11,218 in Glendale Union High School District, $10,564 in Peoria Unified School District and $11,444 in Deer Valley Unified District (FY2024), against $12,318 across Arizona. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Peoria?
Yes: Aces-Peoria (special education, grades 1–12, 320 students), Peoria Ave Preschool (nonsectarian, grades PK–5, 276 students), Cross of Glory Lutheran School (religious, grades PK–8, 181 students), Guidepost Montessori at Peoria (nonsectarian, grades PK–K, 158 students), Big Dreams Preschool / Kindergarten (nonsectarian, grades PK–K, 114 students), Sierra School of Peoria (special education, grades K–12, 70 students), Black Mountain Science Academy (nonsectarian, grades PK–5, 47 students), Primrose School of Fletcher Heights (nonsectarian, grades K, 21 students) and Little Scholars Academy (nonsectarian, grades K, 17 students). Peoria also has 14 charter schools, free and open by application.
Parents talk
What Peoria families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Peoria → 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.