Categories > Education
5 Best Private Schools in Phoenix Where Kids Love to Learn
A sudden relocation to the Valley forced my brother to search for a dependable school on incredibly short notice. The process quickly became stressful after discovering huge curriculum disparities between different regional campuses.
A true academic sanctuary nurtures intellectual curiosity alongside emotional well-being, which requires looking past polished marketing brochures.
I stepped in to handle the legwork and find an environment that actually delivers quality education. I compared accreditation records and gathered direct feedback from families to find the best private schools in Phoenix.
Below is a guide to exceptional campuses committed to student growth.
How much does private school cost in Phoenix?
Tuition here typically runs from $3,234 for individual semester courses to $31,350 for a full high school program. That’s a wide range, so check what each school includes.
State empowerment scholarships (ESA) can offset a big part of these fees for eligible families. The table below shows estimated annual tuition by program.
| Program Type | Estimated Annual Tuition |
| Individual Semester Courses | From $3,234 |
| Elementary School (Grades 1-5) | $29,760 |
| Middle School (Grades 6-8) | $29,295 |
| High School (Grades 9-12) | $31,350 |
1. Arcadia Christian Academy
Website: https://www.arcadiachristian.org/
Address: 6225 N Central Ave, AZ 85012
Contact: (480) 934-0911
Hours: Tuesday-Thursday: 8:30 AM-2:30 PM; Monday, Friday-Sunday: Closed
Arcadia Christian Academy is a hybrid private school where students attend class a few days each week. They learn at home the rest of the time. That mix leaves plenty of room for family life.
Project-based learning and play fill their campus days. I like that they also keep a strict no-homework policy to protect your family time.
That flexibility is rare for a private school in Phoenix. Families can tailor lessons around their own interests on the days at home.
The downside is the workload at home. Parents teach the curriculum on Mondays and Fridays, so it may not suit full-time working professionals.
Exceeded my expectations
My firstborn daughter entered kindergarten this year, and words cannot express how thankful we are for Arcadia Christian opening.
For our family this has been the perfect mix of time in a classroom setting, and time at home doing school & play with her younger siblings. We can tailor her education on her “off days” to things she loves.
Arcadia has exceeded my expectations in creating a community amongst students and families located across the valley. The teachers truly care about the well being of their students and know them well.
Amber Hansen | Google Review
The best decision for our family
Arcadia Christian has been the best decision for our family. Our daughter (4) has thrived at the school and the faculty and staff are loving, caring, and exceptionally well-qualified. What a fantastic experience we have had at this school.
Adam Sonstroem | Google Review
2. Desert Dawn Private School
Website: https://desertdawnschool.com/
Address: 15815 N. 40th Street, AZ 85032
Contact: (602) 493-5340
Hours: Monday-Friday: 6:30 AM-6:00 PM; Saturday-Sunday: Closed
Desert Dawn Private School blends hands-on discovery with fine arts and science to develop the whole child. Among preschools in Phoenix, they stand out for their homelike, nurturing feel.
Kids spend plenty of time in a large outdoor garden and playground. I like that they learn to make choices and build self-control there.
Families also praise the staff and the special events they hold each month. Those touches give little kids something fun to look forward to.
The downside is the age limit. Their program stops at age five, so you’ll need to find a new campus for the primary grades.
My son loves how much they get to play outside
We absolutely love Desert Dawn! The teachers and director are professional, communicative, and positive. There is so much for the kids to do – my son loves how much they get to play outside. Additionally, there have special events once a month, which gives the kids something to look forward to. I highly recommend Desert Dawn if you’re looking for a preschool!
Anne Butterfield | Google Review
Finally found the perfect fit
Both my 4 and 2 year old attend this school and after 2 other programs we’ve finally found the perfect fit for our family.
My oldest has some challenging behaviors and you truly wouldn’t know it the way they talk so lovingly about him. We’ve seen immense improvement in his academics and behaviors since starting at Desert Dawn.
The staff here are incredible and I couldn’t recommend them enough!
Casey Merrill | Google Review
3. One Hundred Leaves Preschool
Website: https://www.onehundredleaves.com/
Address: 15639 N 40th Street, AZ 85032
Contact: (602) 556-4399
Hours: Monday-Friday: 7:30 AM-5:30 PM; Saturday-Sunday: Closed
One Hundred Leaves Preschool runs a full Spanish immersion program for kids ages two to five. That makes it a great fit if you want a bilingual private school in Phoenix for your little learner.
Daily activities center on language and the creative arts. Children practice speaking a second language every day, so Spanish becomes part of their routine.
Teachers back that up as caring guides. They encourage kids to solve problems naturally through play, which helps build confidence.
Afternoon workshops add even more variety, from robotics to photography. That gives your little learner a chance to try new things after class.
The all-Spanish setting can be a challenge, though. It may feel intimidating if you don’t speak Spanish at home, and kids may need extra time to adjust.
The maestras are caring and enthusiastic
Our son loves OHL and so do we as parents. The maestras (teachers) are caring, enthusiastic and focused on the education of each child. The senior staff is equally determined to make sure each child is loved and safe. Can’t say enough good things about this school, I would highly recommend it!
Jay Gerber | Google Review
My daughter is now more confident and happier
My daughter goes here and it is absolutely wonderful. All the teachers care about the students. Unlike most places, have a wonderful, structuted curriculum that engages their imaginations, play that fosters learning and cooperation, and is wonderful at their spanish immersion. My daughter is now more confident, happier, and smarter for having enrolled here. I cannot say enough superlatives about it. If you want your child to thrive, believe in a spanish based curriculum that values diversity rather than just a “day care” I cannot recommend one hundred leaves enough!
Phi Ong | Google Review
4. Natural Choice Academy
Website: https://www.cadence-education.com/locations/az/phoenix/219/
Address: 13840 N Tatum Blvd, AZ 85032
Contact: (480) 420-0003
Hours: Monday-Friday: 7:00 AM-6:00 PM; Saturday-Sunday: Closed
Natural Choice Academy is a nature-inspired school for kids ages one to five. They serve organic meals and use chemical-free cleaning products across campus.
Teachers follow a Reggio Emilia approach. That means the children’s interests guide the daily lessons, so learning feels natural and playful.
Kids also spend lots of time outdoors with a working garden and a chicken coop.
I also like that their social-emotional lessons teach toddlers to handle conflicts peacefully. That’s a great skill to learn early.
The downside is the age limit. Enrollment stops at age five, so you’ll need to move up to one of the nearby elementary schools in Phoenix afterward.
Such a positive experience
NCA has been such a positive experience for our family!
The teachers are magical and create a warm and caring environment. Children are challenged in their learning while also being given the space to feel and encouraged to grow. Our children have developed a genuine love for coming to school each day!
One of the things we appreciate most is how inclusive and welcoming the community is – every child is valued and made to feel safe, respected, and celebrated for who they are. We feel so lucky to be part of the NCA community.
Stephanie Hogue | Google Review
Couldn’t be happier
My child has been at NCA for almost a year now and she couldn’t be happier. She loves going to school to see her teachers and friends. All the staff in the school know all the children by name and make you feel so welcome and safe. As well as serving healthy organic meals and snacks every day.
Cassie Sloan | Google Review
5. Brightmont Academy
Website: https://www.brightmontacademy.com/campuses/phoenix-az
Address: 1850 N. 95th Ave. Suite 180, AZ 85037
Contact: (602) 962-6828
Hours: Monday-Friday: 8:30 AM-5:00 PM; Saturday-Sunday: Closed
Brightmont Academy offers one-to-one teaching for students in grades K through 12. They’re built for kids with learning differences or busy athletic schedules.
Their mastery-based program lets your child learn at their own pace. There’s no pressure to keep up with a large group. Kids move on only when they’re ready.
They also help families apply for state empowerment scholarships at no cost. That can make a private school in Phoenix easier to afford. It’s a useful perk when tuition feels steep.
The downside is the lack of group time. The one-on-one format skips the usual classroom mix, so students may miss group projects and playground fun.
