Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Arizona Blue Ribbon Public Preschools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 34 blue ribbon public preschools serving 18,253 students in Arizona.
Blue ribbon schools have been recognized by the Department of Education for achieving superior standards of academic excellence. Read more about this national school awards program and how blue ribbon schools work.
The top-ranked blue ribbon public preschools in Arizona are Knox Gifted Academy, Weinberg Gifted Academy and Fireside Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Arizona blue ribbon public preschools have an average math proficiency score of 60% (versus the Arizona public pre school average of 36%), and reading proficiency score of 61% (versus the 40% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 54% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Arizona public preschool average of 68% (majority Hispanic).

Best Blue Ribbon Public Preschools in Arizona (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Knox Gifted Academy
(Math: 90% | Reading: 97% )
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
700 W Orchid Ln
Chandler, AZ 85225
(480) 812-6100
Gr: PK-6 | 653 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 70%
Rank: #22.
Weinberg Gifted Academy
(Math: 87% | Reading: 92%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
5245 S Val Vista Dr
Gilbert, AZ 85298
(480) 812-6600
Gr: PK-6 | 741 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 51%
Rank: #33.
Fireside Elementary School
(Math: 84% | Reading: 85%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
3725 E. Love Cactus Drive
Phoenix, AZ 85032
(602) 449-4700
Gr: PK-6 | 693 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 37%
Rank: #44.
Neely Traditional Academy
(Math: 79% | Reading: 86%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
500 E Houston Ave
Gilbert, AZ 85234
(480) 892-2805
Gr: PK-6 | 805 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 49%
Rank: #55.
Cherokee Elementary School
(Math: 85% | Reading: 80%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
8801 N 56th St
Paradise Valley, AZ 85253
(480) 484-8700
Gr: PK-5 | 690 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
Rank: #66.
Senita Valley Elementary School
(Math: 83% | Reading: 78%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
10750 E Bilby Rd
Vail, AZ 85641
(520) 879-3100
Gr: PK-8 | 709 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 54%
Rank: #77.
Vista Del Sur Accelerated
(Math: 74% | Reading: 84%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
3908 W South Mountain Rd
Laveen, AZ 85339
(602) 237-3046
Gr: PK-8 | 893 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 83%
Rank: #88.
Fruchthendler Elementary School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
7470 E Cloud Rd
Tucson, AZ 85750
(520) 731-4400
Gr: PK-6 | 327 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 51%
Rank: #99.
Kyrene De La Sierra School
(Math: 72% | Reading: 76%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
1122 E Liberty Ln
Phoenix, AZ 85048
(480) 541-5200
Gr: PK-5 | 518 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 50%
Rank: #1010.
Franklin Accelerated Academy - East Campus
(Math: 73% | Reading: 71%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
1753 E 8th Ave
Mesa, AZ 85204
(480) 472-6500
Gr: PK-6 | 518 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 60%
Rank: #1111.
Horseshoe Trails Elementary School
(Math: 70% | Reading: 69%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
5405 E. Pinnacle Vista Drive
Cave Creek, AZ 85327
(480) 272-8500
Gr: PK-6 | 424 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 20%
Rank: #1212.
General Myer Elementary School
(Math: 67% | Reading: 70%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
45103 Burns Street
Fort Huachuca, AZ 85670
(520) 459-8986
Gr: PK-8 | 246 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 53%
Rank: #1313.
Madison Heights Elementary School
(Math: 64% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
7150 N 22nd St
Phoenix, AZ 85020
(602) 664-7800
Gr: PK-4 | 630 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 62%
Rank: #1414.
Copper Canyon Elementary School
(Math: 68% | Reading: 64%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
17650 N 54th St
Scottsdale, AZ 85254
(602) 449-7200
Gr: PK-6 | 446 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 35%
Rank: #1515.
Franklin Accelerated Academy - Downtown Campus
(Math: 67% | Reading: 59%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
236 S Sirrine
Mesa, AZ 85210
(480) 472-5400
Gr: PK-6 | 373 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 61%
Rank: #1616.
Chandler Traditional Academy - Liberty Campus
(Math: 60% | Reading: 64%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
550 N Emmett Dr
Chandler, AZ 85225
(480) 883-4900
Gr: PK-6 | 677 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 62%
Rank: #1717.
Vistancia Elementary School
(Math: 54% | Reading: 61%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
30009 N Sunrise Pt
Peoria, AZ 85383
(623) 773-6500
Gr: PK-8 | 1,089 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: #1818.
Pima Butte Elementary School
(Math: 54% | Reading: 60%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
42202 W Rancho El Dorado Pkwy
Maricopa, AZ 85138
(520) 568-7150
Gr: PK-5 | 407 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 64%
Rank: #1919.
Lookout Mountain School
(Math: 53% | Reading: 58%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
15 W Coral Gables Dr
Phoenix, AZ 85023
(602) 896-5800
Gr: PK-6 | 979 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 38%
Rank: #2020.
Entz Elementary School
(Math: 54% | Reading: 57%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
4132 E Adobe St
Mesa, AZ 85205
(480) 472-7200
Gr: PK-6 | 567 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 41%
Rank: #2121.
Jack Barnes Elementary School
(Math: 46% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
20750 S 214th St
Queen Creek, AZ 85142
(480) 987-7400
Gr: PK-6 | 621 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 42%
Rank: #2222.
Kyrene Traditional Academy
(Math: 49% | Reading: 50%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
3375 W Galveston St
Chandler, AZ 85226
(480) 541-5400
Gr: PK-8 | 549 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 76%
Rank: #2323.
Palm Valley Elementary School
(Math: 49% | Reading: 48%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
2801 N 135th Ave
Litchfield Park, AZ 85340
(623) 535-6400
Gr: PK-8 | 643 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 67%
Rank: #2424.
Ash Fork Elementary School
(Math: 60-69% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
46999 N. Fifth Street
Ash Fork, AZ 86320
(928) 637-2561
Gr: PK-5 | 124 students Student-teacher ratio: 41:1 Minority enrollment: 55%
Rank: #2525.
Pima Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
8330 E Osborn Rd
Scottsdale, AZ 85251
(480) 484-2800
Gr: PK-6 | 332 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 57%
Rank: #2626.
Humboldt Elementary School
(Math: 31% | Reading: 54%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
2750 S Corral St
Dewey, AZ 86327
(928) 759-4400
Gr: PK-6 | 295 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
Rank: #2727.
Benson Primary School
(Math: 49% | Reading: 40%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
360 S Patagonia St
Benson, AZ 85602
(520) 720-6708
Gr: PK-5 | 507 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 39%
Rank: #2828.
Nautilus Elementary School
(Math: 50% | Reading: 34%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
1425 Patrician Dr
Lake Havasu City, AZ 86404
(928) 505-6060
Gr: PK-6 | 345 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
Rank: #2929.
Drachman Primary Magnet School
Magnet School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
1085 S 10th Ave
Tucson, AZ 85701
(520) 225-1500
Gr: PK-8 | 335 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 78%
Rank: #3030.
O'connor Elementary School
(Math: 18% | Reading: 33%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
4840 E Adobe St
Mesa, AZ 85205
(480) 472-7877
Gr: PK-6 | 386 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 55%
Rank: #3131.
Cordova Elementary School
(Math: 18% | Reading: 18%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
5631 N 35th Ave
Phoenix, AZ 85017
(602) 841-0704
Gr: PK-8 | 589 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: #3232.
Longfellow Elementary School
(Math: 16% | Reading: 20%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
345 S Hall
Mesa, AZ 85204
(480) 472-6526
Gr: PK-6 | 440 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 92%
Rank: n/an/a
Jack Daley Primary School
3615 Second St.
Thatcher, AZ 85552
(928) 348-7240
Gr: PK-2 | 418 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
Rank: n/an/a
Ocotillo Early Learning Elementary School
5702 S Campbell Ave
Tucson, AZ 85706
(520) 545-3600
Gr: PK-2 | 284 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 95%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked blue ribbon public preschools in Arizona?
The top-ranked blue ribbon public preschools in Arizona include Knox Gifted Academy, Weinberg Gifted Academy and Fireside Elementary School.
How many blue ribbon public preschools are located in Arizona?
34 blue ribbon public preschools are located in Arizona.
What is the racial composition of students in Arizona?
Arizona blue ribbon public preschools minority enrollment is 54% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Arizona public preschools average of 68% (majority Hispanic).

Recent Articles

AI Report Cards: Should Schools Evaluate AI Use?
AI Report Cards: Should Schools Evaluate AI Use?
Explore whether schools should assess student AI use, the benefits, risks, and what responsible AI report cards could look like in 2026.
The Parent’s Guide to School Cell Phone Bans in 2026
The Parent’s Guide to School Cell Phone Bans in 2026
Learn how school cell phone bans work in 2026, why districts are adopting them, and what parents should expect.
Parental Involvement in Public Schools: 2026 Update
Parental Involvement in Public Schools: 2026 Update
Explore the latest 2026 trends, research, and strategies shaping parental involvement in public schools and student success.

Quick Links

School Search Tools:
School by Type (AZ):
Private & Boarding Schools:
State Links:

Most Popular Articles

The Impact of Social Media on Students – 2025 Updated Insights
The Impact of Social Media on Students – 2025 Updated Insights
 The Pros and Cons of Mandatory Gym Class in Public Schools
The Pros and Cons of Mandatory Gym Class in Public Schools
School Rankings by Category
School Rankings by Category
 Year-Round vs Traditional School Calendar: 2025 Insights
Year-Round vs Traditional School Calendar: 2025 Insights
 Hello Budget Cuts, Goodbye Sports: The Threat to Athletics
Hello Budget Cuts, Goodbye Sports: The Threat to Athletics

More Articles

About Public Schools
Evaluating Public Schools
Public School Jobs
Local School Topics
Teaching