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Charter schools in Tempe, AZ

15 schools in Tempe, 151 more within 15 miles. Public, and free to attend.

Public charter schools (tuition-free)

Tempe charter schools at a glance

15 public charter schools give Tempe as their address in the 2025-26 federal school directory, and 151 more are within 15 miles. The 15 in town had about 7,249 students in 2024-25. 2 teach elementary grades and 13 teach high school. 4 are mostly or fully online. Every one is a public school that charges no tuition.

7,249 students, 2024-25
13 high schools
$0 tuition

Networks and districts with the most of these schools: ASU Preparatory Academy (91303) (4), American Leadership Academy Inc. (4348) (3), Career Success Schools (79047) (3), Humanities and Sciences Academy of the United Stat (4337) (3), Vista College Preparatory Inc. (91948) (3). Names as reported to the federal directory.

Charter schools in Tempe (15)

Largest first. Enrollment and teachers are from 2024-25; schools new in 2025-26 have no count yet.

Charter school Grades Students (2024-25) Per teacher Phone
ASU Preparatory Academy DigitalFully online K-12 3,850 16.7 (844) 692-3372
Student Choice High School 9-12 1,540 61.6 (623) 242-0689
Tempe Preparatory Academy 6-12 431 12.8 (480) 839-3402
Center for Educational Excellence K-8 332 (480) 632-1940
International Commerce High School - Tempe 9-12 290 14.3 (480) 317-5900
Pinnacle Online High SchoolFully online 6-12 239 14.1 (480) 755-8222
New School for the Arts 9-12 173 (480) 252-5414
James Madison Preparatory School 6-12 130 (480) 345-2306
Ombudsman - Charter Northeast 9-12 93 31 (602) 485-9872
New School for the Arts Middle School 6-8 75 (480) 481-9235
Pinnacle Online - WMCBFully online 9-12 51 2.4 (480) 785-7776
Valley Preparatory Academy 9-12 30 4.6 (480) 621-3383
Pinnacle High School - Tempe 9-12 10 0.6 (602) 414-0950
Pinnacle Charter High School-Tempe East 9-12 4 (480) 785-7776
Humanities and Sciences Academy ArizonaFully online 9-12 1 (480) 317-5900

Nearby, within 15 miles (151)

Charter schools in other towns, nearest first. Online schools are left out here because their address is an office.

Charter school Grades Students (2024-25) Per teacher Town Miles Phone
SLAM Arizona K-8 59 Mesa 3 (702) 431-6260
BASIS Ahwatukee 4-12 661 12.5 Phoenix 3 (480) 659-2294
Phoenix International Academy K-8 252 22.9 Phoenix 4 (602) 842-2521
Skyline Prep High School 9-12 167 12.8 Phoenix 4 (602) 343-4980
South Phoenix Prep and Arts Academy K-4 295 12.3 Phoenix 4 (877) 225-2118
South Valley Prep and Arts School 5-8 259 11.8 Phoenix 4 (877) 225-2118
Arizona Agribusiness & Equine Center Inc. - Mesa 9-12 97 16.2 Mesa 4 (480) 222-3999
Paul Revere Academy 9-12 58 11.6 Mesa 4 (480) 461-4000
Dobson Academy The - A Ball Charter School K-8 386 12.1 Chandler 5 (480) 855-6325
Kaizen Education Foundation dba El Dorado High School 9-12 184 14.2 Chandler 5 (480) 726-9536
George Gervin Prep Academy K-8 157 10.5 Phoenix 5 (480) 219-2121
Desert Marigold School K-12 286 Phoenix 5 (602) 243-6909
International Commerce High School MCG 9-12 50 14.3 Mesa 5 (480) 317-5900
Concordia Charter School K-8 106 15.1 Mesa 5 (480) 461-0555
Paragon Science Academy K-12 601 16.6 Chandler 5 (480) 814-1600
Mesa Arts Academy K-8 227 28.4 Mesa 6 (480) 844-3965
Gateway Early College High School 9-12 350 16 Phoenix 6 (602) 392-5237
Great Hearts Academies - Archway Chandler K-12 536 17.9 Chandler 6 (480) 855-6474
Great Hearts Academies - Chandler Prep 6-12 716 13.6 Chandler 6 (480) 899-9181
The Excel Center - Papago 9-12 19 Phoenix 6 (602) 535-4401
Burke Basic School K-6 634 18.6 Mesa 6 (480) 964-4602
Heritage Academy 7-12 778 19 Mesa 6 (480) 969-5641
Kaizen Education Foundation dba South Pointe Elementary Scho K-6 322 16.9 Phoenix 6 (602) 276-1943
AZ Compass Prep School 7-12 267 14.4 Chandler 6 (480) 287-5588
Vector Prep and Arts Academy K-6 229 10.9 Chandler 6 (877) 225-2118
AAEC - SMCC Campus 9-12 426 21.3 Phoenix 6 (602) 323-9890
Pioneer Technology & Arts Academy of Arizona K-8 412 17.2 Phoenix 6 (602) 305-8865
Intelli-School 9-12 48 12 Chandler 6 (602) 564-7230
New Horizon School for the Performing Arts K-6 119 11.9 Mesa 7 (480) 655-7444
Heartwood AZ K-12 204 18.9 Mesa 7 (480) 599-0137
Sequoia Charter School K-12 764 16.3 Mesa 7 (480) 890-4001
Edkey Inc. - Sequoia Deaf School K-12 11 3.7 Mesa 7 (480) 890-4001
Horizon Honors Elementary School K-6 797 17.7 Phoenix 7 (480) 659-3100
Horizon Honors Secondary School 7-12 678 15.8 Phoenix 7 (480) 659-3000
The Paideia Academy of South Phoenix K-12 579 14.8 Phoenix 7 (602) 343-3040
Sonoran Science Academy - Phoenix K-12 439 13.5 Phoenix 7 (602) 244-9855
Hirsch Academy A Challenge Foundation K-6 160 12.3 Scottsdale 7 (480) 488-9362
Great Hearts Academies - Veritas Prep 6-12 781 12.8 Phoenix 7 (602) 263-1128
Paideia Liberal Arts Academy 7-12 266 12.7 Phoenix 7 (602) 343-3043
Great Hearts Academies - Archway Veritas K-12 716 17.5 Phoenix 7 (602) 489-7341
Robert L. Duffy High School 7-12 56 11.2 Phoenix 7 (602) 393-4200
Legacy Traditional School ? North Chandler K-8 952 36.6 Chandler 7 (480) 757-5400
ASU Preparatory Academy - South Phoenix 7-12 7-12 not reported Phoenix 7 (602) 842-1722
Ombudsman - Charter East 9-12 188 31.3 Phoenix 7 (602) 275-4815
Children First Leadership Academy K-8 114 12.7 Phoenix 7 (602) 712-0500
Kelly K-12 21 4.2 Phoenix 7 (602) 712-0500
EDUPRIZE SCHOOL Gilbert K-12 1,270 12.8 Gilbert 8 (480) 813-9537
International Commerce High School - Phoenix 9-12 202 14 Phoenix 8 (480) 317-5900
Advance U K-5 72 9 Phoenix 8 (602) 243-8531
Learning Foundation K-12 139 9.9 Mesa 8 (480) 834-6202
Champion Schools K-8 491 21.3 Phoenix 8 (480) 664-3379
ASU Preparatory Academy - Pilgrim Rest PK-8 not reported Phoenix 8 (602) 496-0041
NFL YET College Prep Academy 7-12 368 18 Phoenix 8 (602) 243-7788
Reyes Maria Ruiz Leadership Academy PK-6 331 11.5 Phoenix 8 (602) 243-7788
Career Success School - Sage Campus K-8 128 7.5 Phoenix 8 (602) 955-0355
Kaizen Education Foundation dba Quest High School 9-12 84 12 Phoenix 8 (602) 243-8496
South Pointe Junior High School 6-8 124 10.3 Phoenix 8 (602) 243-8496
South Pointe High School 9-12 615 22 Phoenix 8 (602) 243-0600
Academy with Community Partners 9-12 170 10 Mesa 8 (480) 833-0068
Sequoia Lehi Charter School K-6 114 10.9 Mesa 8 (480) 397-9890
Friendly House Academia Del Pueblo Elem K-8 245 12.2 Phoenix 8 (602) 258-4353
Champion Chandler K-8 373 15.2 Chandler 9 (480) 664-3379
Leading Edge Academy Gilbert Early College 7-12 194 12.4 Gilbert 9 (480) 545-8011
Leading Edge Academy Gilbert Elementary K-8 282 12.2 Gilbert 9 (480) 545-6646
Montessori Education Centre Charter School - North Campus K-7 186 11.3 Mesa 9 (480) 964-1381
ASU Preparatory Academy - Phoenix 7-12 7-12 360 12.9 Phoenix 9 (602) 496-3100
ASU Preparatory Academy - Phoenix K-6 K-6 not reported Phoenix 9 (602) 496-3100
BASIS Chandler Primary - North Campus K-4 619 14.7 Chandler 9 (480) 798-6447
Noah Webster Schools-Pima K-8 251 15.7 Scottsdale 9 (480) 291-6900
Academy of Math and Science South Mountain K-8 960 20.9 Phoenix 9 (602) 675-9696
Kaizen Education Foundation dba Summit High School 9-12 201 21.2 Phoenix 9 (602) 258-8959
Sun Valley High School 9-12 345 23 Mesa 9 (480) 497-4800
Vista College Preparatory - Hadley K-8 228 16.3 Phoenix 9 (602) 374-7159
Montessori Education Centre Charter School - Mesa K-7 255 14.6 Mesa 9 (480) 926-8375
Genesis Academy 9-12 49 17.8 Phoenix 9 (602) 254-8090
Montessori Academy K-8 107 11.9 Paradise Valley 9 (480) 945-1121
Villa Montessori - Phoenix Campus K-8 500 18.9 Phoenix 10 (602) 955-2210
Arizona School For The Arts 5-12 679 8.1 Phoenix 10 (602) 257-1444
Kaizen Education Foundation dba Gilbert Arts Academy K-8 120 12 Gilbert 10 (480) 325-6100
BASIS Phoenix South K-12 523 11.2 Phoenix 10 (602) 962-7393
Salt River Accelerated Learning Academy 9-12 76 7.2 Scottsdale 10 (480) 362-2130
City View High School 9-12 72 10.7 Phoenix 10 (602) 252-6721
Keystone Montessori Charter School 1-9 203 15.6 Phoenix 10 (480) 460-7312
Self Development Academy-Phoenix K-8 246 14.9 Phoenix 10 (602) 274-1910
Khalsa Montessori Elementary School - Phoenix K-8 118 8.2 Phoenix 10 (602) 252-3759
AZACS Early Learning Center K-6 201 7.4 Phoenix 10 (520) 882-5544
Arizona Autism Charter School's Main Campus 4-12 307 9.8 Phoenix 10 (602) 882-5544
Metropolitan Arts Institute 7-12 249 16.6 Phoenix 10 (602) 258-9500
Vista Grove Preparatory Academy K-8 76 6.3 Mesa 10 (480) 924-1500
Madison Highland Prep 9-12 510 23.2 Phoenix 10 (602) 745-3800
EAGLE College Prep K-8 437 18.2 Phoenix 10 (602) 323-5400
Phoenix Modern K-8 119 10.8 Phoenix 11 (602) 740-9271
Sun Valley Academy K-8 595 16.1 Phoenix 11 (602) 692-4914
BASIS Phoenix Central Primary K-12 239 9.6 Phoenix 11 (602) 962-7393
Great Hearts Academies - Archway Cicero K-7 451 16.1 Phoenix 11 (480) 424-1790
Great Hearts Academies - Cicero Prep 6-12 507 11 Scottsdale 11 (480) 424-1790
Desert Hills High School 9-12 231 19.2 Gilbert 11 (480) 813-1151
Challenger Basic School K-6 274 13 Gilbert 11 (480) 830-1750
Benjamin Franklin Charter School - Gilbert K-6 598 19.9 Gilbert 11 (480) 632-0722
Phoenix College Preparatory Academy 9-12 261 19.6 Phoenix 11 (602) 285-7998
Legacy Traditional School - Mesa K-6 456 17.5 Mesa 11 (480) 576-4000
Great Hearts Academies - Archway Arete K-5 522 16.8 Gilbert 11 (480) 222-4233
Great Hearts Academies - Arete Prep 6-12 540 12.3 Gilbert 11 (480) 222-4233
Learning Institute The 7-12 95 15.9 Phoenix 11 (602) 241-7876
Great Hearts Academies - Lincoln Prep 6-12 619 11.9 Chandler 11 (480) 424-1796
Great Hearts Academies - Archway Lincoln K-5 712 15.1 Phoenix 11 (480) 424-1798
BASIS Chandler Primary- South Campus K-5 488 15.2 Chandler 12 (480) 494-2200
BASIS Chandler 5-12 1,185 19.2 Chandler 12 (480) 907-6072
Self Development Charter School K-8 301 13.4 Mesa 12 (480) 641-2640
CPLC College and Career High School 9-12 48 16 Phoenix 12 (602) 288-4518
New World Educational Center K-12 209 12.3 Phoenix 12 (602) 238-9577
Legacy Traditional School - Chandler K-8 1,135 43.7 Chandler 12 (480) 270-5422
AmeriSchools Academy - Camelback K-12 94 10.4 Phoenix 12 (602) 532-0100
Heritage Academy Laveen 6-12 685 19 Laveen 13 (602) 290-8546
American Leadership Academy Gilbert North K-12 K-12 2,357 12.3 Gilbert 13 (480) 344-9892
Midtown Primary School K-5 103 12.9 Phoenix 13 (602) 265-5133
Legacy Traditional School ? Laveen Village K-8 988 58.1 Laveen 13 (623) 344-0472
Ball Charter Schools (Val Vista) K-8 403 13.9 Gilbert 13 (480) 656-5555
Tech Campus 9-12 442 49.1 Phoenix 13 (602) 285-5525
Imagine Camelback Middle 6-8 169 21.1 Phoenix 13 (602) 344-4620

Showing the 120 nearest of 151. Every charter school in Arizona.

Charter schools: how they work

  • Public and free. NCES describes a public charter school as a publicly funded school, usually run by a group or organization under a contract (the charter) with the state, the district or another body. The federal definition says a charter school does not charge tuition.
  • Families choose it. Under the same definition, a charter school is one parents choose to send their children to, and it admits students by lottery when more apply than it has room for.
  • Its own rules, its own accountability. The charter frees the school from some state or local rules; in return it must meet the standards written in its charter. It is nonsectarian.
  • No program badge. ChoiceFunded’s program badges and “schools that accept” lists cover private schools only. Charter schools are listed separately here, with no badge, and are never counted with private schools.

Sources: 20 U.S.C. 7221i (federal Charter Schools Program definitions); NCES, Condition of Education: Public Charter School Enrollment. Each state writes its own charter law, so ask the school how enrollment works there.

Keep looking

Questions parents ask

How many charter schools are in Tempe?

15 public charter schools in the 2025-26 federal directory are in Tempe, and 151 more are within 15 miles. ASU Preparatory Academy Digital, Student Choice High School, Tempe Preparatory Academy, Center for Educational Excellence, International Commerce High School - Tempe, Pinnacle Online High School and others.

Do charter schools in Tempe charge tuition?

No. Charter schools are public schools, and the federal definition of a charter school says it does not charge tuition. Ask each school about fees for extras.

How do I enroll in a Tempe charter school?

Apply to each school directly. Under the federal definition, a charter school admits students by lottery when more apply than it has room for, so check each school’s application dates. Each state writes its own charter law.

School facts: U.S. Department of Education, Common Core of Data (2025-26 directory, 2024-25 enrollment and staff). Where our data comes from.

See charter schools How enrollment works