For the 2026 school year, there are 21 public charter schools serving 8,356 students in Tempe, AZ.
The top-ranked public charter schools in Tempe, AZ are Tempe Preparatory Academy, Center For Educational Excellence and Arizona Language Schools. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Tempe, AZ public charter schools have an average math proficiency score of 29% (versus the Arizona public charter school average of 38%), and reading proficiency score of 44% (versus the 47% statewide average). Charter schools in Tempe have an average ranking of 5/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Arizona public charter schools.
Minority enrollment is 68% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Arizona public charter school average of 64% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Charter Schools in Tempe, AZ (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Tempe Preparatory Academy
Charter School
(Math: 60% | Reading: 70%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
1251 E Southern Ave
Tempe, AZ 85282
(480) 839-3402
Tempe, AZ 85282
(480) 839-3402
Gr: 6-12 | 431 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 48%
Rank: #22.
Center For Educational Excellence
Charter School
(Math: 56% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
1700 E Elliot Rd Ste 9
Tempe, AZ 85284
(480) 632-1940
Tempe, AZ 85284
(480) 632-1940
Gr: K-8 | 332 students Minority enrollment: 40%
Rank: #33.
Arizona Language Schools
Charter School
(Math: ≥80% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
2222 S Price Rd
Tempe, AZ 85282
(480) 334-9608
Tempe, AZ 85282
(480) 334-9608
Gr: K-5
Rank: #44.
New School For The Arts
Charter School
(Math: 40-49% | Reading: 60-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1216 E Apache Blvd
Tempe, AZ 85281
(480) 252-5414
Tempe, AZ 85281
(480) 252-5414
Gr: 9-12 | 173 students Minority enrollment: 45%
Rank: #55.
Pinnacle High School - Tempe
Alternative School
Charter School
Charter School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
2224 W Southern Ave Ste 2
Tempe, AZ 85282
(602) 414-0950
Tempe, AZ 85282
(602) 414-0950
Gr: 9-12 | 10 students Student-teacher ratio: 1:1 Minority enrollment: 80%
Rank: #66.
Asu Preparatory Academy Digital
Charter School
(Math: 33% | Reading: 57%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1130 E University Dr Ste 230
Tempe, AZ 85287
(844) 692-3372
Tempe, AZ 85287
(844) 692-3372
Gr: K-12 | 3,850 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 55%
Rank: #77.
Valley Preparatory Academy
Alternative School
Charter School
Charter School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
2150 Southern Avenue Ste 713
Tempe, AZ 85282
(480) 621-3383
Tempe, AZ 85282
(480) 621-3383
Gr: 9-12 | 30 students Student-teacher ratio: 4:1 Minority enrollment: 73%
Rank: #88.
New School For The Arts Middle School
Charter School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1216 E Apache Blvd
Tempe, AZ 85281
(480) 481-9235
Tempe, AZ 85281
(480) 481-9235
Gr: 6-8 | 75 students Minority enrollment: 53%
Rank: #9 - 109. - 10.
Edoptions Preparatory Academy
Alternative School
Charter School
Charter School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
480 N Grand Ave
Tempe, AZ 85282
(520) 281-9179
Tempe, AZ 85282
(520) 281-9179
Gr: 7-12 | 88 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1
Rank: #9 - 109. - 10.
Ombudsman - Charter Northeast
Alternative School
Charter School
Charter School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1290 N. Scottsdale Road Ste 13
Tempe, AZ 85281
(602) 485-9872
Tempe, AZ 85281
(602) 485-9872
Gr: 9-12 | 93 students Student-teacher ratio: 31:1 Minority enrollment: 81%
Rank: #1111.
James Madison Preparatory School
Charter School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
5815 S Mcclintock Dr
Tempe, AZ 85283
(480) 345-2306
Tempe, AZ 85283
(480) 345-2306
Gr: 6-12 | 130 students Minority enrollment: 38%
Rank: #1212.
George Gervin Prep Academy
Charter School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
2801 E Southern Ave
Tempe, AZ 85283
(480) 219-2121
Tempe, AZ 85283
(480) 219-2121
Gr: K-8 | 157 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #1313.
Asu Preparatory Academy - South Phoenix Primary
Charter School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 25-29% )
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
40 East Hildago Avenue
Tempe, AZ 85287
(602) 492-1722
Tempe, AZ 85287
(602) 492-1722
Gr: K-4 | 65 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: #14 - 1514. - 15.
Asu Preparatory Academy - South Phoenix High School
Charter School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
4445 S 12th St
Tempe, AZ 85287
(602) 842-1722
Tempe, AZ 85287
(602) 842-1722
Gr: 7-12 | 247 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 94%
Rank: #14 - 1514. - 15.
Asu Preparatory Academy - South Phoenix Intermediate
Charter School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
5610 S. Central Avenue
Tempe, AZ 85287
(602) 551-6594
Tempe, AZ 85287
(602) 551-6594
Gr: PK-12 | 99 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 96%
Rank: #1616.
Kaizen Education Foundation Dba South Pointe Elementary School
Alternative School
Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
2033 E Southern Ave
Tempe, AZ 85281
(602) 276-1943
Tempe, AZ 85281
(602) 276-1943
Gr: K-6 | 322 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #1717.
International Commerce High School - Tempe
Alternative School
Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 10-14%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1105 E Broadway Rd
Tempe, AZ 85282
(480) 317-5900
Tempe, AZ 85282
(480) 317-5900
Gr: 9-12 | 290 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 85%
Rank: #1818.
Pinnacle Online High School
Alternative School
Charter School
Charter School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: ≤5%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
2224 W Southern Ave Ste 1
Tempe, AZ 85282
(480) 755-8222
Tempe, AZ 85282
(480) 755-8222
Gr: 6-12 | 239 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 87%
Rank: #1919.
Student Choice High School
Alternative School
Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 2% | Reading: 9%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1833 N Scottsdale Rd
Tempe, AZ 85281
(623) 242-0689
Tempe, AZ 85281
(623) 242-0689
Gr: 9-12 | 1,540 students Student-teacher ratio: 62:1 Minority enrollment: 86%
Rank: n/an/a
Asu Preparatory Academy- Pilgrim Rest K-8
Charter School
1401 E Jefferson St
Tempe, AZ 85287
(602) 496-0041
Tempe, AZ 85287
(602) 496-0041
Gr: PK-8 | 135 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 94%
Rank: n/an/a
International Commerce High School Mcg
Alternative School
Charter School
Charter School
1855 S Country Club Dr
Tempe, AZ 85282
(480) 317-5900
Tempe, AZ 85282
(480) 317-5900
Gr: 9-12 | 50 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 72%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public charter schools in Tempe, AZ?
The top-ranked public charter schools in Tempe, AZ include Tempe Preparatory Academy, Center For Educational Excellence and Arizona Language Schools.
How many public charter schools are located in Tempe?
21 public charter schools are located in Tempe.
What is the racial composition of students in Tempe?
Tempe public charter schools minority enrollment is 68% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Arizona public charter schools average of 64% (majority Hispanic).
Recent Articles
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
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
Explore the latest 2026 trends, research, and strategies shaping parental involvement in public schools and student success.
