Photo: Gage Skidmore · CC BY-SA 3.0Surprise’s public schools outscore 72% of Arizona districts
On-time graduation in Surprise runs at 95%, above the Arizona average (78%). The grade covers the two public school districts serving Surprise, 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.
Surprise’s schools, in brief
Better than its incomes would predict
Among the 85 Arizona towns with household incomes within a quarter of Surprise’s, its schools beat 82%, higher than their 72% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 44% and math 40% across both districts in spring 2022, against 40% and 35% statewide; 95% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 78%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
Dysart Unified District spends $10,430 per student and Nadaburg Unified $10,708, against $12,318 across Arizona (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓
Choice beyond the district
Paradise Honors Elementary School, Paradise Honors High School, Paradise Honors Middle School, Calibre Academy Surprise, ThrivePoint High School at Surprise, Arizona Charter Academy, Imagine Rosefield, Imagine Surprise Middle, Imagine Prep Surprise, Legacy Traditional School - Surprise, Highland Prep, Legacy Traditional School - West Surprise and Fourteensix Christian 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 Surprise’s grade
B+: better than 72% of Arizona school districts, #27 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 Surprise, with each school’s own grade.
9th grade in Surprise · depends on your address
Valley Vista High School
Grades 7–12 · 2,334 students · 24:1 students per teacher
Shadow Ridge High School
Grades 7–12 · 2,212 students · 21:1 students per teacher
Willow Canyon High School
Grades 7–12 · 1,901 students · 24:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Surprise · depends on your address
Valley Vista High School
Grades 7–12 · 2,334 students · 24:1 students per teacher
Shadow Ridge High School
Grades 7–12 · 2,212 students · 21:1 students per teacher
Willow Canyon High School
Grades 7–12 · 1,901 students · 24:1 students per teacher
Surprise runs its own schools through grade 12 (Dysart Unified District). From grade PK, students attend the Nadaburg Unified School District. Parts of Surprise (13% of its land) are served by Wickenburg Unified District instead. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
Two districts serve Surprise
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Above the state in reading
Surprise vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Arizona towns that share Surprise’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Surprise | B+ | Dysart Unified District PK–12 · Nadaburg Unified PK–12 |
| El Mirage | B+ | Dysart Unified District |
| Peoria | A− | Peoria Unified PK–12 · Deer Valley Unified District PK–12 · Glendale Union High 9–12 |
| Buckeye | C+ | Buckeye Elementary District PK–8 · Saddle Mountain Unified PK–12 · Buckeye Union High 9–12 |
| Glendale | B+ | Glendale Elementary District PK–8 · Peoria Unified PK–12 · Deer Valley Unified District PK–12 |
Every school in Surprise
31 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: 5 public programs with fewer than 25 students (West-MEC - Willow Canyon High School, West-MEC - Valley Vista High School, West-MEC - Shadow Ridge High School, West-MEC Paradise Honors and Dysart iSchool).
Questions about Surprise’s schools
Are Surprise’s schools good?
By Arizona’s own tests, yes: the public schools Surprise children attend outscore 72% of Arizona’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B+ Schools grade, #27 of 139 Arizona towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 82%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Surprise in?
Two districts: Dysart Unified District runs grades PK–12, and Nadaburg Unified School District runs grades PK–12.
Where do Surprise kids go to high school?
One of 3 high schools, depending on your address: Valley Vista High School, Shadow Ridge High School and Willow Canyon High School.
What is Surprise’s graduation rate?
95% of the class of 2023 in Dysart Unified District graduated in four years, against 78% across Arizona.
How much does Surprise spend per student?
$10,430 in Dysart Unified District and $10,708 in Nadaburg Unified School District (FY2024), against $12,318 across Arizona. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Surprise?
Yes: Fourteensix Christian Academy (religious, grades K–11, 104 students). Surprise also has 12 charter schools, free and open by application.
Parents talk
What Surprise families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Surprise → 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.