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.
- To download our 30th Anniversary Digital ToolKit – click here.
- Click here to download graphics which include logos and a banner/email header.
- To share any plans you have for celebrating this big milestone, please reach out to us at info@azcharters.org
Charters at the Capitol 2025
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
Education Evaluator 2.0
School Search Tool
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
Advocacy Matters
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:
- Dispel myths about public charter schools and educate policymakers
- Put a face to the name; when education issues are debated in Arizona, it helps legislators to know who their decisions affect
- Ensures recognition of charter schools and the work they are doing to transform public
education.
Join us in the Fight for Fair Funding!
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, because of an outdated school finance system, public charters received on a statewide average $3,200 less* in per-pupil-funding than their district counterparts in 2024.
To learn more about how this funding gap impacts your school, click here to check out our school comparison tool.
*2024 Annual Report of the Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction
Find a Vendor
580* Charter Schools
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.
231,703 Students
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..
Our Services
Our Impact
Changing Lives
Recognizing the efforts of our students, teachers, leaders, and community members who dedicate their lives to ensuring student success.
Our Publications
Stay current with the latest reports, papers, and research published by the Arizona Charter Schools Association.
#AzChartersChangingLives
Has an Arizona charter school changed your life for the better? We want to hear your story!