The Best Private Schools in Maricopa, Arizona
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Maricopa. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
BASIS Charter School Chandler
BASIS Charter Schools
BASIS Chandler is consistently ranked among the top charter schools in Arizona and nationally. Serving students from Maricopa and the surrounding region, the school offers a rigorous STEM-focused curriculum with advanced coursework beginning in elementary grades. The school features highly qualified teachers, many with advanced degrees, and maintains exceptional college acceptance rates. Facilities include modern science labs, technology-integrated classrooms, and comprehensive athletic facilities. The school emphasizes critical thinking and problem-solving skills through its advanced academic program.
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Benjamin Franklin Charter School - Queen Creek
Benjamin Franklin Charter School
Benjamin Franklin Charter School in Queen Creek serves families from Maricopa and the southeast valley with a classical education model focused on academic excellence and character development. The school utilizes the Core Knowledge Sequence curriculum, emphasizing literacy, mathematics, and cultural literacy. With small class sizes and dedicated teachers, the school maintains high academic standards and strong parent satisfaction. The campus features modern classrooms, science labs, library facilities, and athletic fields. The school's traditional approach to education includes phonics-based reading instruction and structured learning environments.
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Rancho Solano Preparatory School
Meritas International Family of Schools
Rancho Solano Preparatory School offers a comprehensive private education serving students from Maricopa and the greater Phoenix metropolitan area. As an International Baccalaureate World School, it provides a globally-focused curriculum with strong college preparatory programs. The school features state-of-the-art facilities including science laboratories, performing arts centers, athletic complexes, and technology-enhanced classrooms. With a diverse student body and experienced faculty, the school emphasizes academic excellence, leadership development, and global citizenship. The campus includes extensive athletic facilities, modern academic buildings, and dedicated arts spaces.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Maricopa, Arizona
Are there any private schools physically located within the city limits of Maricopa, Arizona, or will we need to commute to neighboring cities?
As of now, there are very few, if any, traditional private K-12 schools with campuses physically located within the city limits of Maricopa, AZ. Most families in Maricopa who choose private education commute to schools in neighboring communities like Chandler, Gilbert, and Queen Creek. The schools you mentioned—BASIS Chandler, Benjamin Franklin Charter School in Queen Creek, and Rancho Solano in Scottsdale—are all located outside of Maricopa, with commutes typically ranging from 20 to 45 minutes depending on your specific location in Maricopa and traffic. This commute is a significant factor for Maricopa families to consider when evaluating private school options.
How does Arizona's school choice programs, like the Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA), affect the affordability of private schools for Maricopa residents?
Arizona's ESA program is a crucial financial consideration for Maricopa families. It allows state education funding to follow a student to a private school of choice, which can significantly offset tuition costs. For the 2023-2024 school year, the ESA award amount is approximately $7,000-$8,000 per student, depending on grade level and needs. This can cover a large portion, or even all, of the tuition at many Arizona charter schools (like BASIS or Benjamin Franklin, which are tuition-free public charters) and makes private schools like Rancho Solano more accessible. It's important to apply for the ESA well in advance of your target enrollment date, as processing times can vary.
What specialized academic programs or focuses are available at the top private schools accessible from Maricopa, AZ?
The schools serving Maricopa families offer distinct academic specializations. **BASIS Charter Schools** (like BASIS Chandler) are nationally renowned for their accelerated STEM-focused curriculum and consistently top national rankings. **Benjamin Franklin Charter School** in Queen Creek emphasizes a classical, Core Knowledge curriculum with a strong focus on character education and civic virtue. **Rancho Solano Preparatory School** offers a comprehensive college-preparatory program with robust arts, athletics, and advanced placement opportunities in a more traditional private school setting. For Maricopa parents, this means you can choose a school philosophy that matches your child's learning style, whether it's highly accelerated STEM, classical liberal arts, or a well-rounded prep school experience.
What are the typical enrollment timelines and lottery processes for the top charter schools near Maricopa, AZ, and how can we prepare?
Planning is essential due to competitive enrollment. Most top-rated Arizona charter schools, including BASIS and Benjamin Franklin, use an annual open enrollment period followed by a lottery system if applications exceed available seats. For a fall start, the open enrollment period often runs from November through January or February, with the lottery held in the spring. As a Maricopa resident, you must apply during the open enrollment period for each school you're interested in to be included in their lottery. Missing this window means your application goes to the end of the waitlist. It's highly recommended to apply to multiple schools during their open enrollment periods, attend their virtual or in-person information sessions (often held in the fall), and submit all paperwork promptly.
For a family living in Maricopa, what are the key factors to weigh when deciding between a high-performing local public school district (like Maricopa Unified) and a commuting private/charter school option?
This decision hinges on several Maricopa-specific factors. **Local Public Schools (Maricopa Unified):** Offer the convenience of neighborhood schools, no commute, and involvement in the local community. The district has been growing and investing in programs. **Commuting to Private/Charter Schools:** Involves a significant daily time commitment (1+ hours round trip), transportation logistics, and potentially less connection to the immediate Maricopa community. In return, you may access specialized curricula (e.g., accelerated STEM, classical), different classroom environments, and, for charter schools, a tuition-free option under the ESA program. The decision often comes down to how much value you place on a specific educational philosophy versus the practicalities of commute time and family logistics in a city like Maricopa, which is somewhat geographically isolated from the major educational hubs of the Phoenix metro.
Private Education Insights
Discover the Best Private Elementary Schools in Maricopa, Arizona for Your Child
For parents in Maricopa, Arizona, the search for “private elementary schools near me” often involves looking beyond our city limits to the wider Phoenix metropolitan area. While Maricopa itself is a growing community with excellent public school options, the desire for specialized educational approaches, smaller class sizes, or accelerated curricula leads many families to explore private institutions in neighboring cities. This journey, though requiring a commute, opens doors to some of the most respected and unique learning environments in the state, each offering distinct philosophies to match your child’s needs.
The commute is a primary local consideration. Living in Maricopa means you are strategically positioned near the I-10 and SR 347, providing reasonable access to schools in Chandler, Gilbert, and Scottsdale. Planning for drive times, which can range from 30 to 50 minutes depending on location and traffic, becomes part of the family routine. Many families find carpooling with other Maricopa residents to be an invaluable solution, fostering community and sharing the responsibility. It’s a commitment, but one that parents here make to access the specific educational model they desire for their children’s foundational years.
When researching “private elementary schools near me,” you’ll encounter standout options with national reputations. BASIS Charter School Chandler is frequently at the top of that list. Known for its accelerated, STEM-focused curriculum and high academic expectations, it attracts families seeking a rigorous, structured environment that prepares students for advanced studies. Closer to home, Benjamin Franklin Charter School - Queen Creek offers a compelling alternative with its classical education model, emphasizing core knowledge, civic virtue, and a back-to-basics approach in literacy and mathematics. For a more well-rounded, college-preparatory experience with extensive arts and athletics, Rancho Solano Preparatory School in Scottsdale provides a nurturing yet challenging environment on a beautiful campus. Each school represents a different educational philosophy, making it crucial to align their approach with your child’s learning style and your family’s values.
The process for Maricopa parents involves more than just comparing curricula. It’s essential to visit these campuses, ideally during a school day, to feel the community vibe and observe teacher-student interactions. Attend open houses, ask detailed questions about daily schedules, homework philosophy, and how they support students who may need extra help or additional challenge. Inquire about transportation options or if they have other families commuting from the Maricopa area. Financially, understanding tuition costs, scholarship opportunities, and payment plans is key, as is checking application deadlines, which for these sought-after schools can be many months in advance of the school year.
Ultimately, finding the right private elementary school near Maricopa is about finding the right fit. The investment of time and resources is significant, but the reward is an educational foundation tailored to help your child thrive. By embracing the commute as part of the journey and thoroughly researching the distinct personalities of schools like BASIS Chandler, Benjamin Franklin, and Rancho Solano, you can make a confident, informed choice that sets the stage for a lifelong love of learning.