Private schools in Arizona
ESA pays about $7,000 to $8,000 for most students (2025-26 figures). Any Arizona K-12 student who is not enrolled in a public school. There is no income limit.
Figures read from each program’s official pages, 2026-09-20. Sources and how to apply
100,474 students as of January 26, 2026. There is no cap and no waitlist, and the program costs about $1 billion a year.
Worth knowing: A ballot initiative filed for November 2026 would add a $150,000 income cap and new rules for schools. We could not confirm whether it was certified.
By city
The number is how many private schools sit within 12 miles.
- Phoenix (93)
- Paradise Valley (90)
- Tempe (84)
- Glendale (65)
- Chandler (64)
- Gilbert (59)
- Mesa (58)
- Peoria (58)
- Tucson (47)
- Laveen (38)
- Oro Valley (30)
- Fountain Hills (29)
- Cave Creek (20)
- Goodyear (17)
- Yuma (5)
- Prescott (4)
- Show Low (4)
- Sierra Vista (4)
- Cottonwood (3)
- Flagstaff (3)
- Nogales (3)
- Scottsdale (2)
By kind of school
- Christian schools (111)
- Catholic schools (58)
- Montessori schools (32)
- Special education schools (33)
- Classical schools (6)
By county
- Apache County (2)
- Cochise County (8)
- Coconino County (4)
- Gila County (3)
- Graham County (1)
- Leon County (1)
- Maricopa County (192)
- McKinley County (1)
- Mohave County (4)
- Navajo County (8)
- Pima County (52)
- Pinal County (5)
- Santa Cruz County (4)
- Yavapai County (12)
- Yuma County (5)
The largest private schools in Arizona
| School | Grades | Students |
|---|---|---|
| Brophy College Preparatory | 6-12 | 1,402 |
| Northwest Christian School | PreK-12 | 1,369 |
| Salpointe Catholic High School | 9-12 | 1,305 |
| Valley Christian Schools | K-12 | 1,138 |
| Xavier College Preparatory | 9-12 | 1,123 |
| Valley Christian High School | K-12 | 1,114 |
| Ridgeline Academy, Inc. | K-12 | 1,039 |
| Notre Dame Preparatory | 9-12 | 975 |
| Scottsdale Christian Academy | PreK-12 | 907 |
| Phoenix Country Day School | PreK-12 | 730 |
| North Valley Christain Academy | PreK-12 | 641 |
| Phoenix Christian Preparatory School | PreK-12 | 606 |
| Gilbert Christian Schools - Greenfield Campus | PreK-8 | 567 |
| Dream City Christian School, Glendale Llc | PreK-12 | 561 |
| Seton Catholic Preparatory | 9-12 | 559 |
Run your own numbers
What would you pay?
We could not confirm this year’s ESA amount, so type in the figure from your award letter. An award can never be more than the school actually charges. This is arithmetic, not a quote.
Get one email when applications open
Most programs open once a year, and several ran out of money or seats in 2026. Pick your state and we will email you the day the next window opens, with the official link. That is the only email you get.
One email per application window. No calls, no sharing your details.
Questions parents ask
How much does Arizona pay toward private school?
About $7,000 to $8,000 for most students (2025-26 figures). We could not confirm the 2026-27 amount from the state. The formula is 90% of state per-pupil funding. Students with disabilities receive far more.
Who can get it?
Any Arizona K-12 student who is not enrolled in a public school. There is no income limit.
Is there still room?
100,474 students as of January 26, 2026. There is no cap and no waitlist, and the program costs about $1 billion a year.
How do I know a school takes ESA?
Arizona does not register participating schools. Any qualified private school can be paid from an ESA, so ask the school whether it accepts ESA payments.