Photo: Hunter Trick (TrickHunter) · CC BY-SA 4.0Tempe’s public schools outscore 64% of Arizona districts
The grade covers the three public school districts serving Tempe, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. 88% of Tempe’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 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.
Tempe’s schools, in brief
Better than its incomes would predict
Among the 127 Arizona towns with household incomes within a quarter of Tempe’s, its schools beat 76%, higher than their 64% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 45% and math 38% across its districts 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
Tempe Union High spends $12,138 per student and Tempe $13,467, against $12,318 across Arizona (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓
21 elementary schools, then ten middle and four high schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. Enrollment is down 15% since 2020–21. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
New School for the Arts, Tempe Preparatory Academy, Ombudsman - Charter Northeast, International Commerce High School - Tempe, Center for Educational Excellence, James Madison Preparatory School, Valley Preparatory Academy, Student Choice High School, New School for the Arts Middle School, SLAM Arizona Inc., Our Lady of Mount Carmel School (private), Grace Christian Academy (private), Az Aspire Academy (private), Dayspring Preschool & Kindergarten (private), Emmanuel Lutheran School (private), Noor Academy of Arizona (private), Gethsemane Lutheran School (private), Accel East Campus (private), Banner Academy (private), The Aces-Tempe (private) and A+ Academy Dropout Recovery Program (private) are in town. Pinnacle Online - WMCB, Pinnacle Online High School, ASU Preparatory Academy Digital and Tapbi, online schools, are based here too; they aren’t counted as local schools. 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 Tempe’s grade
B: better than 64% of Arizona school districts, #48 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 Tempe, with each school’s own grade.
Parts of Tempe (2% of its land) are served by Mesa Unified District instead. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
Three districts serve Tempe
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
Tempe vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Arizona towns that share Tempe’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Tempe | B | Tempe PK–8 · Kyrene Elementary District PK–8 · Tempe Union High 9–12 |
| Phoenix | B+ | Deer Valley Unified District PK–12 · Phoenix Union High 9–12 |
| Chandler | A− | Chandler Unified District PK–12 · Tempe Union High 9–12 |
| Mesa | B | Mesa Unified District PK–12 · Tempe Union High 9–12 |
| Guadalupe | B | Tempe PK–8 · Kyrene Elementary District PK–8 · Tempe Union High 9–12 |
| Scottsdale | B+ | Cave Creek Unified District PK–12 · Scottsdale Unified District PK–12 · Phoenix Union High 9–12 |
3 of the 5 neighbors share Tempe Union High with Tempe for grades 9–12, so their letters differ mainly through the lower grades.
Every school in Tempe
55 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: 14 public programs with fewer than 25 students (Humanities and Sciences Academy Arizona, Pinnacle Charter High School-Tempe East, Pinnacle High School - Tempe, Children First Academy - Tempe, Integrity Education Centre, Evans Elementary School, Intervention Learning Program, Tempe Elementary Online Community, Compadre High School, EVIT - Tempe High School, EVIT - McClintock High School, EVIT - Marcos De Niza High School, EVIT - Corona Del Sol High School and EVIT - Compadre High School).
Questions about Tempe’s schools
Are Tempe’s schools good?
They sit near the middle of Arizona: the public schools Tempe children attend outscore 64% of Arizona’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B Schools grade, #48 of 139 Arizona towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 76%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Tempe in?
Tempe Union High School District, which runs grades 9–12 and enrolls 11,726 students in 7 schools (2024–25). Small parts of Tempe are served by Mesa Unified District.
Where do Tempe kids go to high school?
One of 4 high schools, depending on your address: Corona Del Sol High School, Mcclintock High School, Tempe High School and Marcos De Niza High School.
What is Tempe’s graduation rate?
88% of the class of 2023 in Tempe Union High School District graduated in four years, against 78% across Arizona.
How much does Tempe spend per student?
$12,138 in Tempe Union High School District, $13,467 in Tempe School District and $10,909 in Kyrene Elementary District (FY2024), against $12,318 across Arizona. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Tempe?
Yes: Our Lady of Mount Carmel School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 520 students), Grace Christian Academy (religious, grades PK–8, 338 students), Az Aspire Academy (special education, grades 1–12, 288 students), Dayspring Preschool & Kindergarten (nonsectarian, grades PK–K, 138 students), Emmanuel Lutheran School (religious, grades K–8, 137 students), Noor Academy of Arizona (religious, grades K–8, 98 students), Gethsemane Lutheran School (religious, grades PK–K, 70 students), Accel East Campus (special education, grades K–12, 67 students), Banner Academy (special education, grades 6–12, 31 students), The Aces-Tempe (nonsectarian, grades 3–12, 10 students) and A+ Academy Dropout Recovery Program (special education, grades 12, 10 students). Tempe also has 10 charter schools, free and open by application.
Parents talk
What Tempe families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Tempe → 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.