Chandler, Arizona – schools

Chandler schools Overview

Key features of Chandler schools

Rankings and performance: CUSD has been recognized as the top public school district in Arizona for 2025 by Ranking Arizona. It consistently ranks highly among Arizona school districts, including the #1 spot for both Best School Districts and Best School Districts for Athletes in Arizona by Niche. Students in CUSD schools consistently score above state and national averages in standardized tests.

Diverse options: CUSD offers a wide range of educational programs and school choices, including:

Traditional Academies: Nine Chandler Traditional Academy (CTA) schools that focus on a solid foundation of fundamental and higher-level thinking skills.

Dual Language Immersion (DLI): Programs in both Spanish and Mandarin Chinese at the elementary and junior high levels.

Gifted Academies: Dedicated schools like Knox Gifted Academy and Weinberg Gifted Academy for gifted students.

Career & Technical Education (CTE): Programs designed to prepare students for college and career success across various fields like Agriscience, Bioscience, Culinary Arts, and more.

College Preparatory Tracks: Including Advanced Placement® (AP) coursework and exams and the International Baccalaureate® (IB) Diploma Programme offered at Chandler High School.

Online Learning Options: Such as the Chandler Online Academy.

Special Education: CUSD provides special education services and related support to students with disabilities, embracing an inclusive model that integrates them into the general classroom to the maximum extent possible.

Notable schools: Some of the highly-rated schools in Chandler include:

High Schools:

Arizona College Prep High School, Hamilton High School, and Basha High School are among the top-ranked high schools in Arizona and within the Chandler Unified District #80.

Elementary Schools:

Weinberg Gifted Academy and Chandler Traditional Academy – Independence are among the best elementary schools in the CUSD.

Points to consider

Open Enrollment:

CUSD has open enrollment, allowing families to apply to schools outside their attendance boundaries.

Boundary Maps:

It’s helpful to consult school boundary maps to determine which schools serve specific neighborhoods within Chandler, available on the Chandler Unified School District website.

Private Schools:

There are also various private schools in Chandler, such as Life Christian Academy, Caritas Christian Classical Academy, and Tri-City Christian Academy, that cater to specific educational or religious preferences.

Disclaimer: Rankings and school performance data can change over time. It’s recommended to consult the most recent information available from official sources like Niche or the Chandler Unified School District website, and to visit schools in person to gather firsthand information before making enrollment decisions.