The Best Private Schools in Higley, Arizona
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Higley. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Benjamin Franklin Charter School - Gilbert Campus
Benjamin Franklin Charter School
Benjamin Franklin Charter School operates multiple campuses serving the Higley area with a rigorous classical education model. The Gilbert campus, located just minutes from Higley, emphasizes Core Knowledge curriculum, strong literacy development, and character education. The school consistently earns high academic ratings with exceptional test scores and offers comprehensive STEM programs. Parents praise the structured learning environment, dedicated teachers, and strong community atmosphere. The school serves students from kindergarten through 8th grade with a focus on preparing students for advanced high school coursework.
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BASIS Charter School - Chandler
BASIS Charter Schools
BASIS Chandler is consistently ranked among the top charter schools in Arizona and nationally, serving students from Higley and surrounding communities. The school offers an accelerated curriculum with advanced STEM coursework beginning in elementary grades and extensive AP offerings in middle and high school. Students benefit from subject-expert teachers, state-of-the-art facilities, and competitive academic programs. The school emphasizes critical thinking and problem-solving skills while maintaining strong arts and humanities components. BASIS Chandler has a proven track record of college preparedness and academic excellence.
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Heritage Academy - Mesa
Heritage Academy
Heritage Academy in Mesa serves students throughout the East Valley, including Higley families seeking a classical education with strong emphasis on American heritage and leadership development. The school offers a rigorous college preparatory curriculum grounded in Western tradition and Socratic teaching methods. Students benefit from small class sizes, character education, and extensive extracurricular opportunities including competitive sports and performing arts. The school is known for its strong community values, dedicated faculty, and exceptional college acceptance rates. Heritage Academy prepares students for leadership roles through its unique focus on constitutional principles and civic responsibility.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Higley, Arizona
What are the primary private school options available for families residing in Higley, Arizona, and are they located within the town itself?
While Higley is primarily served by the highly-rated Higley Unified School District for public education, most private school options are located in neighboring communities. Top choices for Higley families include Benjamin Franklin Charter School - Gilbert Campus (a tuition-free public charter with a classical curriculum), BASIS Charter School - Chandler (known for its nationally-ranked STEM-focused program), and Heritage Academy - Mesa (a classical liberal arts school with a focus on civics and character). It's important to note that these schools require commuting, as Higley itself has a limited number of standalone private campuses. Many families also consider private schools in Gilbert, Chandler, and Scottsdale, making transportation planning a key consideration.
How does Arizona's school choice programs, like Empowerment Scholarship Accounts (ESAs), affect the affordability of private schools for Higley residents?
Arizona's universal Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) program is a significant financial factor for Higley families. This program allows state education funding (approximately $7,000+ per student annually) to be used for private school tuition, tutoring, therapies, and other educational expenses. This can dramatically reduce the out-of-pocket cost for private schools in the area. However, it's crucial to verify that your chosen private school (e.g., BASIS Chandler, Heritage Academy) is an ESA-approved provider. Furthermore, even with an ESA, some schools may have tuition that exceeds the ESA amount, requiring additional payment. The application for the ESA is separate from school enrollment and should be started well in advance.
What specialized academic programs or educational philosophies are prominent in the private schools near Higley, AZ?
The private schools accessible to Higley families offer distinct, specialized approaches. The Benjamin Franklin Charter School in Gilbert emphasizes a Core Knowledge classical curriculum with structured phonics and a focus on American heritage. BASIS Charter School in Chandler is renowned for its accelerated, STEM-heavy curriculum, often involving college-level courses by high school. Heritage Academy in Mesa provides a classical liberal arts education rooted in Western tradition and Socratic discussion, with a strong emphasis on leadership and civic virtue. This variety means Higley parents can choose a school based on pedagogical alignment, whether they seek accelerated academics, classical foundations, or character-based education.
What are the typical enrollment timelines and lottery processes for competitive private and charter schools near Higley?
Enrollment timelines are critical due to high demand. For charter schools like Benjamin Franklin Gilbert and BASIS Chandler, you must apply during an open enrollment period, typically in the early winter (e.g., January-February) for the following academic year. If applications exceed seats, a public lottery is held. Gaining a spot often requires applying years in advance for younger siblings. For private schools like Heritage Academy, the process may involve an application, student assessment, and family interview, with timelines varying. Higley families are advised to research and contact their target schools at least a full year before intended enrollment, as waitlists for popular programs are common.
How do the extracurricular and athletic opportunities at private schools near Higley compare to those in the Higley Unified School District?
This is a key differentiator. The Higley Unified School District (HUSD) public high schools offer robust AIA-sanctioned athletic programs, large fine arts departments, and a wide array of clubs due to their larger student populations. Private options often have more focused offerings. For instance, Heritage Academy has competitive sports teams in leagues for smaller schools and strong drama programs. BASIS Chandler, while academically intense, may have fewer traditional sports but offers academic clubs and competitions. Charter schools like Benjamin Franklin may have limited on-campus athletics. Higley parents must weigh the academic specialization of a private school against the typically broader extracurricular landscape of the large, comprehensive public high schools in their own district.
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