Education

Among Maricopa’s many advantages is one that distinguishes the community from most American cities: its talented and well-educated workforce. Providing residents with access to quality education at all levels is one of our primary objectives. We want every Maricopa resident, no matter what age, to be a lifelong learner.
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Maricopa Unified School District (MUSD)

Preschool – 12

MUSD has more than 9,500 students in preschool through twelfth grade. Nestled in a community that blends the charm of a small town with the vibrant energy of a growing city, MUSD schools are the perfect place for academic excellence, social growth, and extracurricular talents to thrive.

The MUSD Governing Board champions access and equity in education for every student. MUSD classrooms are filled with educators who care deeply about the well-being and development of every child and work skillfully to prepare them for their futures.

MUSD includes six elementary schools, two middle schools, two high schools, an online 6-12 school, and various preschool programs. From the first time a preschooler writes their name to the proud walk across the graduation stage, MUSD is a dedicated partner in every student’s educational journey.

Maricopa Unified School District takes great pride in its schools’ achievements and the exceptional education provided. Here’s why MUSD stands out:

Excellence in Education: Three MUSD schools, Butterfield Elementary, Pima Butte Elementary, and Maricopa Elementary, have earned the prestigious ‘A’ ratings from the AZ Department of Education. Pima Butte Elementary is a National Blue Ribbon School, and has earned A+ School of Excellence distinction.

Multiple Paths to Graduation: MUSD offers diverse pathways to meet the unique needs and interests of our students. Maricopa High School’s AP Capstone Diploma program helps students develop essential college skills like research, collaboration, and communication. Additional paths include Dual Enrollment and College Prep through Central Arizona College, and an expanded Online High School. Both Maricopa High School and Desert Sunrise High School provide exciting Career and Technical Education opportunities, like Agriscience, Air Force JROTC, Aviation, Education Professions, Engineering, Marketing, Network Security, and many more.

Comprehensive Extracurriculars: MUSD’s commitment to high-quality education extends beyond textbooks, offering a well-rounded array of extracurricular activities, including clubs, arts, and athletics, ensuring that every student has the opportunity to explore their passions and talents.

Signature Programs: MUSD provides a variety of signature programs for families interested in advanced academic and specialty coursework. MUSD’s Community Preschool, staffed with certified teachers, offers a research-based curriculum aligned with the Arizona Early Learning Standards. MUSD also offers Dual Language Immersion and the Maricopa Accelerated Program for students and families interested in greater rigor.

Community Partnerships: As the city’s largest employer, MUSD collaborates with local leaders and organizations, including the City of Maricopa, Ak-Chin Community, and Maricopa Police and Fire Departments, to enhance educational opportunities and support students.

(Source: MUSD, 2024)

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Charter & Private Schools

A growing community like Maricopa offers parents a variety of choices for K-12 education. In addition to MUSD, Maricopa also has six charter schools that offer varying levels of academic rigor.
A+ Charter Schools

A+ Charter Schools serves students, grades 7-12, in a small learning community offering personalized learning plans for every student and requires participation in ‘Academic Success Groups’.

A+ Charter School strives to give students an education that not only prepares them academically, but also prepares them for life.

Its mission is to help students reach their greatest potential and become successful, contributing members of society.

(Source: A+ Charter Schools, 2020)

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Heritage Academy Maricopa

Heritage Academy Maricopa is one of Arizona’s oldest charter schools, serving grades 6-12, where scholars have some of the highest test scores and college acceptances in the state.

Heritage is a school where your child will receive individual and well-rounded instruction to flourish academically and emotionally.

Heritage Academy is dedicated to youth, their growth and development. The purpose of education is to build strong character. Strong character is reflected in strong families, strong communities, and a strong nation.

(Source: Heritage Academy Maricopa, 2023)

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Leading Edge Academy

Leading Edge Academy is a tuition-free public charter school serving grades K-8, providing a safe environment where high student achievement is our focus.

Leading Edge Academy provides a rigorous educational program that combines core character values with a special emphasis on reading, writing, and math.

(Source: Leading Edge Academy, 2024)

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Legacy Traditional Schools

Legacy Traditional Schools believes there is no limit to what a student can achieve with great education and strong character.

The non-profit network of tuition-free, A-rated public charter schools was founded on this principle to build lifelong learners and good citizens.

The school features a rigorous, well-rounded curriculum for Kindergarten – 8th grade that emphasizes all areas of academic study.

(Source: Legacy Traditional Schools, 2020)

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Sequoia Pathway Academy

Sequoia Pathway Academy is a tuition-free, highly performing public charter school which proudly serves students in Kindergarten – 12th grade.

Sequoia Pathway Academy is committed to the optimal development of every student and believes that for students to have the opportunity to achieve personal, academic, developmental, and social success, positive, safe, and health-promoting learning environments must be created at every level and in every setting throughout the school year.

(Source: Sequoia Pathway Academy, 2024)

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Higher Education

Maricopa has a strong college-going culture and one of the most highly-educated resident populations in the State of Arizona. People who live in the City of Maricopa have a higher education attainment level well above the state and national average. We know that education is not only important to our residents, but also for their children and grandchildren. It is also extremely important to us.
Central Arizona College (CAC)

Central Arizona College’s (CAC) Maricopa Campus is a modern community college campus offering certificate programs and associate degree programs specifically at the Maricopa Campus. CAC Maricopa has supported the educational needs of the community since 2006.

CAC Maricopa offers 12 certificate programs and 11 associate degree programs designed to transfer into four-year degrees at the state’s three universities, Arizona State University, University of Arizona and Northern Arizona University.

(Source: CAC, 2020)

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Research Institutions

In addition, Maricopa is home to two leading research institutions: the University of Arizona College of Agricultural & Life Sciences Maricopa Agricultural Center (MAC) and the USDA Arid Land Agricultural Research Center (ALARC). Both of these institutions are conducting cutting-edge research in the agricultural sciences, water conservation and management, and food safety and production sectors and also offer educational programs.
The University of Arizona Maricopa Agricultural Center (MAC)

The University of Arizona Maricopa Agricultural Center (MAC) is a 2,100-acre research farm developing integrated agricultural technologies for the challenges facing Arizona consumers and agricultural producers.

MAC also supports extension outreach programs, such as Ag-Ventures, various university classes, Ag-Literacy for all age groups, Maricopa 4-H, and Pinal County Masters Gardeners.

(Source: MAC, 2023)

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The USDA Arid Land Agricultural Research Center (ALARC)

The USDA Arid Land Agricultural Research Center (ALARC) is a 20-acre facility developing sustainable agricultural systems, protecting natural resources and supporting rural communities in arid and semi-arid regions through interdisciplinary research.

Research topics include crop management, integrated pest management, irrigation technology, remote sensing, water reuse, crop breeding and physiology, and global climate change.

(Source: ALARC, 2023)

Visit the USDA Arid Land Agricultural Research Center (ALARC)
Project Puente

Central Arizona College’s Project Puente supplements high school CTE agriculture and bioscience programs. It provides a seamless “high school to college” to bio-industry career pathway for students throughout the county. This will increase the number of students enrolling in and completing agriculture Career and Technical Education (CTE) certifications and College Agriculture Degrees for bioscience careers.

(Source: Project Puente, 2024)

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Other Educational Institutions

In Arizona, all community college students, including Central Arizona College Maricopa students, are able to access four-year and higher degrees through Northern Arizona University. Additionally, Arizona State University and the University of Arizona offer baccalaureate, masters, and doctoral degrees at multiple campuses, less than 40 minutes from the City of Maricopa. In the Greater Phoenix region, there are also 27 institutions of higher education, offering traditional and online degrees from associates to Ph.D. and post-doctoral degrees.
Learn More: Educational Attainment