We are committed to amplifying the voices of our member schools through a variety of services and programs.
Support Arizona's public charter schools and students through one of our school or corporate memberships.
2024 marks the 30th anniversary of our charter movement, which began in September 1994, when Arizona became the 11th state in the country to pass a charter school law. The first Arizona charter schools opened their doors shortly after, with 67 opening in 1995 alone! Thirty years later, over 230,000 students are thriving at 560+ charter schools in Arizona communities.
To mark this milestone, we’re excited to join the Arizona State Board for Charter Schools in announcing the “Arizona Charter Schools 2024: 30 Years Strong” celebration and invite you to join the #30YearsStrong conversation.
Charters at the Capitol is our premier advocacy event tailored for charter school leaders, teachers, and advocates to directly engage with Arizona policymakers.
A Special Note for our Member Schools:
If your school is interested in arranging a student visit to the Arizona Capitol, please coordinate that directly with Capitol staff. It’s a great opportunity to enhance civic learning outside of our advocacy efforts.
To schedule a school field trip, click here. For questions, please reach out by email museumtours@azsos.gov or call (602) 936-3810
Welcome to our Education Evaluator, a school search tool powered by the Arizona Charter Schools Association. This public school map provides an easy, transparent way to research and compare schools across the state. Users can view enrollment information, student achievement data and school specific information for all of Arizona’s public schools — district and charter.
Data Used to Evaluate Schools:
School Type: public charters and district schools. District schools are governed by a locally elected school board, while charters are governed by an independent board of directors. Charters are granted by state-approved charter school authorizers, such as the Az State Board for Charter Schools.
Enrollment information: based on the most recent October student counts reported to the Arizona Dept. of Education.
Grade Levels Served: based on the most recent school year data as reported to the Arizona Department of Education.
A-F Letter Grades: The Arizona Department of Education issues letter grades for all public schools.Accountability results are based on the Arizona Department of Education’s Accountability System for the most recent year available
The laws our elected officials create directly influence how schools operate on a daily basis, however, many of those decision makers aren’t familiar with the way Arizona’s individual public charter schools are succeeding at educating children and at transforming public education across the state. Advocacy events like Charters at the Capitol can help:
In Arizona, around 570 public charter schools are thriving, serving over 232,000 students in communities all around the state. These innovative schools play a critical role in our public education system; however, t because of an outdated school finance system, public
charters received on a statewide average $2,427 less* in per-pupil-funding than their district counterparts in 2023.
To learn more about how this funding gap impacts your school, click here to check out our school comparison tool.
*2023 Annual Report of the Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction
For three decades, Arizona’s charter schools have transformed countless lives, offering a free quality public education to all students regardless of background or circumstance. As public schools serving public students, Arizona’s charter schools are contracted with the state with the purpose of providing excellent academic options for all students and parents.
In 2024, charters proudly serve 231,703 students across approximately 580 schools, spanning communities throughout the state. This represents 21% of public school enrollment and 25% of the state’s public elementary schools..
Starting a charter school is a team effort that requires a great deal of forethought and hard work before doors open on day one.
Learn More
Every Arizona student should have access to a high quality public school. We are focused on creating and sharing resources designed to support leaders and teachers as they work to improve student achievement.
Learn More
We publish analyses of Arizona school quality, providing tools for researchers, and promoting research-based advocacy that improves student outcomes.
Learn More
We offer a central professional learning and networking destination for Arizona’s public charter school professionals. Our signature events bring together the school leaders, teachers, policy makers, and partners that play a critical role in shaping the future of public education in our state. If you support public charter schools in Arizona, there is an event for you!
Learn More
We partner with local and national vendors to best support the purchasing needs of new and existing schools. Through exclusive pricing and vendor vetting, the Arizona MarketPlace is a tool designed to help public charter schools find the very best deal.
Learn MoreThis public school map provides an easy, transparent way to research and compare schools across Arizona. View enrollment information, student achievement data and school specific information for Arizona’s public district and charter schools.
Find A SchoolRecognizing the efforts of our students, teachers, leaders, and community members who dedicate their lives to ensuring student success.
Stay current with the latest reports, papers, and research published by the Arizona Charter Schools Association.
Has an Arizona charter school changed your life for the better? We want to hear your story!
12439 N. 32nd St.
Phoenix, AZ 85032
602.944.0644
info@azcharters.org
©2020 Arizona Charter Schools Association
The Arizona Charter Schools Association is an organization tax-exempt under Code Section 501(c)(3) and qualifies for a charitable contribution deduction.
