Best private schools in Arizona are an important consideration for families in Arizona, or the Grand Canyon State, is one of the most beautiful states of the United States, with several national parks, monuments, and forests. Additionaly although the state is quite famous for many things, including Arizona State University, it is not easy for parents to search for the best private schools in the region.
Best Private Schools in Arizona (2026 Guide)
Best Private Schools In Arizona
As per 2026 reports, there are approximately 512 private schools offering education to nearly 80123 children in Arizona, and close to 7% of all K-12 students are enrolled in private schools. Therefore, to narrow down your search, we bring you a list of private schools in Arizona!!
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Top 8 Best Private Schools in Arizona (2026 List)
| S.No. | Table Of Contents |
|---|---|
| 1 | Phoenix Country Day School |
| 2 | Valley Christian School |
| 3 | Arizona Cultural Academy & College Prep |
| 4 | Paradise Valley Christian Preparatory School |
| 5 | Rancho Solano Preparatory School |
| 6 | Verde Valley School |
| 7 | The Gregory School |
| 8 | Brophy College Preparatory |
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1. Phoenix Country Day School – One of the Best Private Schools in Arizona
- Student-Teacher Ratio: 7:1
- College Preparation: Yes
- Graduation Rate: 100%
- Average SAT Score: 1400
- Average Financial Aid: $12,500
- Yearly Tuition: $34,700
- Website: https://www.pcds.org/
- Location: 3901 E STANFORD DR, PARADISE VALLEY, AZ 85253 Phone: 602-955-8200
To begin with, first on our list is Phoenix Country Day School (PCDS), which is one of the best private schools in Arizona, a co-educational college preparatory school located in Paradise Valley, Arizona. The school, spread out over a 40-acre campus, was founded in 1961 and offers a comprehensive education to students in grades Pre-K through 12. Moreover, its rigorous curriculum is designed to prepare kids for success in college.
Academic Excellence at PCDS
PCDS boasts a highly qualified faculty, with 85% of the Upper School faculty holding advanced degrees in their fields. In addition, the school provides Advanced Placement (AP) courses and individualized counseling sessions to students to help them prepare for college admissions. As a result, PCDS proudly has students gaining entry into over 125+ different colleges all over the country!!
Arts and Athletics Programs at This Top Arizona Private School
PCDS has a thriving arts program, with opportunities for students to participate in theater productions, choral and instrumental music ensembles, and visual arts classes. Similarly, the school also has a robust athletic program, with over 40 sports teams in various sports, including football, soccer, basketball, baseball, volleyball, tennis, swimming, and more.
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2. Valley Christian Schools – Leading Private School in Arizona
- Student-Teacher Ratio: 14:1
- College Preparation: Yes
- Graduation Rate: 100%
- Average SAT Score: 1210
- Average Financial Aid: $7,524
- Yearly Tuition: $14,950
- Website: https://valleychristianaz.org/
- Location: 6900 W GALVESTON ST CHANDLER, AZ 85226 Contact: 480-705-8888
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Valley Christian Schools is one of the top-performing private schools in Arizon, a is which is a private Christian school located in Chandler, Arizona, USA. Founded in 1982, they offer high-quality education for students from preschool through 12th grade. Furthermore, they are affiliated with the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) and the Christian Schools of Arizona (CSA).
STEM-Focused Curriculum at Valley Christian, a Top Private School in Arizona
Since its founding, VCS annually provides more than 1,115 students with a Christian education that includes top academics centered around state-of-the-art STEM programs. As a result, the students are prepared for the future and given the ability to make a difference because they are invested in their education and faith. VCS offers a demanding, technologically advanced STEM curriculum to better prepare our students for future challenges.
This intentionality begins in Kindergarten and culminates with four distinct pathways for high school students. For example, freshmen at VCS High School must enroll in a semester-long course called “Freshmen STEM Survey,” which introduces them to several career paths and the alternatives available to each student through project-based learning and excursions.
Athletics and Achievements at Valley Christian Schools, Arizona
Apart from academics, at the high school level, the school has over 30+ athletic teams across 25 different sports. Arizona State Championships in the AIA have been won by Valley Christian athletic teams 86 times since 1989. Moreover, Included is a current run of 35 years in which a VCS team has won the state championship. In addition, Trojan teams have won over 150 conference titles and placed second in the state 56 times.
Furthermore, the AIA Director’s Cup Award for Overall Excellence was given to Valley Christian, which has also won the Don F. Stone Overall Excellence Award seven times. Athletic Management honored Valley Christian as the Top Women’s Athletic Program in 1999.
Campus and Community at This Arizona Private School
Valley Christian Schools has four campuses in Chandler, Arizona, including a preschool campus, an elementary campus, a junior high campus, and a high school campus. The school commits to providing a well-rounded education that prepares students for success in college and beyond while also instilling Christian values and principles.
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3. Arizona Cultural Academy & College Prep – Private School in Arizona
- Student-Teacher Ratio: 8:1
- College Preparation: Yes
- Graduation Rate: 100%
- Average SAT Score: 1230
- Average Financial Aid: $7,025
- Website: https://www.azacademy.org/
- Location: 7810 S 42ND PL PHOENIX, AZ 85042 Contact: 602-454-1222
Arizona Cultural Academy & College Prep is a private Islamic school in Phoenix, Arizona. Indeed, it is considered one of the fantastic private schools in Arizona.
Faith-Based Academic Approach at This Arizona Private School
The school provides education from preschool to 12th grade, focusing on Islamic values and academic excellence. Additionally, the school offers a challenging curriculum that includes math, science, social studies, English, Arabic, and Islamic studies courses.
Accreditation and Development
The school has a strict dress code and uniform where it is expected that students observe the standards of Islamic clothing, moderation, and good taste, which also includes a long list of rules to be followed by girls. Furthermore, Arizona Cultural Academy & College Prep is one of the schools accredited by the AdvancED Accreditation Commission and recognized by the Arizona Department of Education.
Students are urged to enroll in AP or (Advanced Placement) courses. Students in grades 8 through 12 can enroll in and take additional classes for certain subjects during Bonus Hour in addition to their existing courses. This aims to make students much more prepared for college admissions.
The school offers extracurricular activities like athletics, as well as volunteering opportunities, and places a lot of emphasis on spiritual development and character building.
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4. Paradise Valley Christian Preparatory School
- Student-Teacher Ratio: 9:1
- College Preparation: Yes
- Graduation Rate: 100%
- Average SAT Score: 1310
- Average Financial Aid: Available but not disclosed
- Yearly Tuition: $15,581
- Website: https://paradisevalleychristian.org/
- Location: 11875 N 24TH STREET PHOENIX, AZ 85028 Contact: 602- 992-8140
Fourth on our list is Paradise Valley Christian Preparatory School, which is a private Christian school located in Paradise Valley, Arizona, United States. The school offers a Christ-centered education with a strict focus on achieving academic success for Pre-K through 12th-grade students. It is ranked among the top Christian High Schools in Arizona and is in the top tier of private K-12 schools in the state.
Academic Curriculum and Electives
Together with core topics, including language arts, mathematics, physics, social studies, and Bible studies, the school’s curriculum also offers electives such as music, physical education, and foreign languages.
In addition to its strong academic curriculum, the school also offers a strong athletics program, with PVCP Panthers competing in the Cactus Christian Schools League at the Middle School level and the Canyon Athletic Association at the Upper School level. The focus is always to help children attain spiritual, physical, mental, social, and emotional growth.
Athletics and Accreditation
The Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) and the AdvancED accreditation agency accredited the school. The school is also an Arizona Interscholastic Association (AIA) member.
The PVCP strives to provide a well-rounded education that prepares kids for success in life and has been recognized as one of the state’s top options for providing children with quality Christian education.
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5. Rancho Solano Preparatory School
- Student-Teacher Ratio: 10:1
- College Preparation: Yes
- Graduation Rate: 100%
- Average SAT Score: 1290
- Average Financial Aid: Not available
- Yearly Tuition: $26,400
- Website: https://ranchosolano.com/
- Location: 9180 E VIA DE VENTURA SCOTTSDALE, AZ 85258 Contact: 480-646-8200
Rancho Solano Preparatory School, or RSPS, is a private day and boarding school in Scottsdale, Arizona. The school was founded in 1954 and offers a rigorous curriculum for students from preschool through 12th grade. It is now part of the International Schools Partnership (ISP). 63% of the faculty and administration hold a master’s degree or higher, and the school instills a knack for learning and creativity in its students, both of which are necessary to succeed in a multicultural society.
IB and AP Programs
The school also offers the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme in addition to AP courses. The curriculum remains focused on STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering, and math), humanities, and the arts.
Rate -RSPS has several AP (Advanced Placement) courses as well as a college counseling process that begins as early as Grade 6; its students have gained admission to top universities, such as the University of Arizona, UCLA, Arizona State University, Harvard, Princeton, Brown, and Pepperdine.
Extracurricular Opportunities
The school offers a wide range of extracurricular activities in addition to its highly competitive academic and athletics programs. Students are urged to join groups, organizations, and sports teams, which allows them to discover their talents, develop their leadership abilities, and learn the art of socializing.
6. Verde Valley School
- Student-Teacher Ratio: 5:1
- College Preparation: Yes
- Graduation Rate: 100%
- Average SAT Score: 1250
- Average Financial Aid: $17,000
- Yearly Tuition: $33,000
- Website: https://www.vvsaz.org/
- Location: 3511 VERDE VALLEY SCHOOL RD SEDONA, AZ 86351 Contact: 928-284-2272
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Next is Verde Valley High School, which emphasizes competition with oneself over others, pushing students to reach their full potential in all areas—academics, athletics, service, the arts, and more.
Outdoor Learning Environment
The school’s grounds are ideal for year-round outdoor pursuits like horseback riding, mountain biking, rock climbing, soccer, golf, basketball, trail, and cross-country running since it is encircled by national forest territory on three sides.
The curriculum encourages global citizenship, intercultural awareness, environmental stewardship, the importance of manual labor, and selfless devotion to humanity. Founded in 1948, it has been committed to producing students who are not only outstanding scholars but also global citizens who want to make a good impact on humanity.
IB World School Experience
As an IB World School, it equips itsstudents with the skills necessary to become engaged, kind, and compassionate lifelong learners who recognize that other people can be correct despite their differences.
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7. The Gregory School
- Student-Teacher Ratio: 6:1
- College Preparation: Yes
- Graduation Rate: 100%
- Average SAT Score: 1280
- Yearly Tuition: $20,550
- Website: https://www.gregoryschool.org/
- Location: 3231 N CRAYCROFT RD TUCSON, AZ 85712 Contact: 520-327-6395
Located in Tucson, Arizona, The Gregory School has been an independent preparatory school since 1980. Its mission is to provide students in grades five to twelve with high-quality academics while fostering a strong sense of community among its members.
Initially opened as St. Gregory College Preparatory School, the name was changed to The Gregory School to signify its independent status.
College Preparatory Focus
The school’s focus is on developing critical thinking, leadership skills, creativity, and character through a college preparatory program that features an array of Advanced Placement (AP) courses, a fine arts program, athletic programs, and numerous student-driven activities.
Additionally, the small class sizes allow students to interact closely with their teachers and offer more individualized attention.
The Gregory School strives to prepare students for success in post-secondary education and ultimately in productive citizenship by developing a curiosity to learn, maintaining integrity, and developing a lifelong love of learning.
8. Brophy College Preparatory
- Student-Teacher Ratio: 4:1
- College Preparation: Yes
- Graduation Rate: 100%
- Average SAT Score: 1340
- Yearly Tuition: $17,500
- Website:https://www.brophyprep.org/
- Location: 4701 N CENTRAL AVE, PHOENIX, AZ 85012
Finally, Brophy College Preparatory is an all-boys high school (Jesuit, Catholic) located in Phoenix, Arizona, that was established in 1928 to develop young men who are “Men for Others.” The Broncos offer challenging academic, athletic, and service opportunities through various programs rooted in the Jesuit tradition, including Advanced Placement and Honors courses, 13 AIA sports, retreats, and immersion service experiences. Moreover, in addition to developing the whole person (faith, service, leadership, justice, and community) through these offerings, Brophy College Preparatory’s academic and athletic programs equip students with the necessary skills for success at the college level and beyond.
Recommended reading: Best Elementary Schools in Phoenix, AZ (2026 List)
There you go!! The best 8 private schools in Arizona were analyzed and picked for you to consider for your child’s education.
Overall, these schools not only hone your kids academically but also push them to explore their hidden talents while developing their spirituality to ensure they become responsible citizens of this global community.
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Update: This article was last updated on 12th February 2026 to reflect the accuracy and up-to-date information on the page.
What is the best school (K-12) in Tucson, AZ?
Catalina Foothills High School is one of the best schools. Teachers are very supportive. Infrastructure and environment is excellent
What are the differences between the East Valley and metro Phoenix in terms of education for children?
Here are the basic differences:
Location of school.School typeStrength of studentsSchool feesSpecial Programs
Xavier College Preparatory Roman Catholic High School and Salpointe Catholic High School are also some of the best private schools in Arizona.
How do educational opportunities for children differ between the East Valley and metropolitan Phoenix?
Below are the fundamental distinctions
School LocationSchool TypeStudent EnrollmentTuition FeesSpecial Programs