For the 2025 school year, there are 32 public schools serving 6,645 students in Gila County, AZ (there are 3 private schools, serving 434 private students). 94% of all K-12 students in Gila County, AZ are educated in public schools (compared to the AZ state average of 93%).
The top ranked public schools in Gila County, AZ are Destiny School, Young Elementary School and San Carlos Alternative High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Gila County, AZ public schools have an average math proficiency score of 15% (versus the Arizona public school average of 34%), and reading proficiency score of 24% (versus the 41% statewide average). Schools in Gila County have an average ranking of 1/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Arizona public schools.
Minority enrollment is 65% of the student body (majority American Indian), which is less than the Arizona public school average of 66% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Gila County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Destiny School
Charter School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
798 E Prickly Pear Dr
Globe, AZ 85501
(928) 425-0925
Globe, AZ 85501
(928) 425-0925
Gr: K-8 | 365 students Minority enrollment: 74%
Rank: #22.
Young Elementary School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
Hwy 288 Baker Ranch Rd
Young, AZ 85554
(928) 462-3244
Young, AZ 85554
(928) 462-3244
Gr: PK-8 | 47 students Minority enrollment: 23%
Rank: #33.
San Carlos Alternative High School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
27010 E Highway 70
San Carlos, AZ 85550
(928) 475-2315
San Carlos, AZ 85550
(928) 475-2315
Gr: K-12 | 26 students
Rank: #44.
Pine Strawberry Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
3868 N Pine Creek Dr
Pine, AZ 85544
(928) 476-3283
Pine, AZ 85544
(928) 476-3283
Gr: PK-8 | 111 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Rank: #55.
Young High School
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≥50% )
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
Hwy 288 Baker Ranch Rd
Young, AZ 85554
(928) 462-3244
Young, AZ 85554
(928) 462-3244
Gr: 9-12 | 8 students Minority enrollment: 25%
Rank: #66.
Biyaagozhoo Center
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
Indian Rte. 6 Mp 10.5
Globe, AZ 85502
(928) 475-4060
Globe, AZ 85502
(928) 475-4060
Gr: 3-12 | 6 students
Rank: #77.
Payson High School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
301 S Mclane Rd
Payson, AZ 85547
(928) 472-5788
Payson, AZ 85547
(928) 472-5788
Gr: 9-12 | 748 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 35%
Rank: #88.
Tonto Basin Elementary School
(Math: 20-29% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
445 S. Old Hwy 188
Tonto Basin, AZ 85553
(928) 479-2277
Tonto Basin, AZ 85553
(928) 479-2277
Gr: PK-8 | 80 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #99.
Tiger Knowledge Online (Tko)
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
460 N Willow St
Globe, AZ 85501
(928) 402-6000
Globe, AZ 85501
(928) 402-6000
Gr: K-12 | 17 students Minority enrollment: 59%
Rank: #1010.
Rim Country Middle School
(Math: 19% | Reading: 37%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
304 S Meadow St
Payson, AZ 85547
(928) 472-3062
Payson, AZ 85547
(928) 472-3062
Gr: 6-8 | 488 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 39%
Rank: #1111.
Globe High School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
437 S High Street
Globe, AZ 85501
(928) 402-6100
Globe, AZ 85501
(928) 402-6100
Gr: 9-12 | 508 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 69%
Rank: #1212.
Hayden High School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: 20-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
824 N. Thorne Ave
Winkelman, AZ 85192
(520) 356-7876
Winkelman, AZ 85192
(520) 356-7876
Gr: 9-12 | 86 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 86%
Rank: #1313.
Liberty High School
Alternative School
Charter School
Charter School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1300 E Cedar St
Globe, AZ 85501
(928) 402-8024
Globe, AZ 85501
(928) 402-8024
Gr: 7-12 | 72 students Minority enrollment: 65%
Rank: #1414.
Payson Center For Success - Online
(Math: 11-19% | Reading: 11-19% )
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
902 W Main St
Payson, AZ 85547
(928) 472-5891
Payson, AZ 85547
(928) 472-5891
Gr: 7-12
Rank: #1515.
Miami Virtual Program
(Math: 8% | Reading: 28% )
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
4739 E Ragus Rd
Miami, AZ 85539
(928) 425-3271
Miami, AZ 85539
(928) 425-3271
Gr: K-12
Rank: #1616.
Copper Rim Elementary School
(Math: 16% | Reading: 19%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1600 Mesquite
Globe, AZ 85501
(928) 402-5800
Globe, AZ 85501
(928) 402-5800
Gr: PK-5 | 745 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 66%
Rank: #1717.
Cvit - Miami High School
Vocational School
(Math: 20-29% | Reading: 20-29% )
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
4635 E. Ragus Rd.
Miami, AZ 85539
(928) 425-3085
Miami, AZ 85539
(928) 425-3085
Gr: 9-12
Rank: #1818.
High Desert Middle School
(Math: 10% | Reading: 22%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
4000 High Desert
Globe, AZ 85501
(928) 402-5900
Globe, AZ 85501
(928) 402-5900
Gr: 6-8 | 401 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 65%
Rank: #1919.
Dr. Charles A. Bejarano Elementary School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 25-29% )
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
4635 B Ragus Road
Miami, AZ 85539
(928) 425-3271
Miami, AZ 85539
(928) 425-3271
Gr: PK-3 | 240 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 67%
Rank: #2020.
Cvit - Hayden High School
Vocational School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20% )
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
824 Thorne Ave
Winkelman, AZ 85192
(520) 356-7876
Winkelman, AZ 85192
(520) 356-7876
Gr: 9-12
Rank: #2121.
Leonor Hambly K-8
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
824 Thorne Ave.
Winkelman, AZ 85192
(520) 356-7876
Winkelman, AZ 85192
(520) 356-7876
Gr: PK-8 | 215 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 87%
Rank: #2222.
Lee Kornegay Intermediate School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 16%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
4635 E. Ragus Rd.
Miami, AZ 85539
(928) 425-3271
Miami, AZ 85539
(928) 425-3271
Gr: 3-6 | 263 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 63%
Rank: #2323.
Cvit - Globe High School
Vocational School
(Math: 11-19% | Reading: 11-19% )
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
437 S High St
Globe, AZ 85501
(928) 402-6100
Globe, AZ 85501
(928) 402-6100
Gr: 9-12
Rank: #2424.
Cvit - San Carlos High School
Vocational School
(Math: 11-19% | Reading: ≤10% )
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
27010 E Highway 70
San Carlos, AZ 85550
(928) 475-2315
San Carlos, AZ 85550
(928) 475-2315
Gr: 9-12
Rank: #2525.
Miami Junior Senior High School
(Math: 2% | Reading: 16%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
4639 E. Ragus Road
Miami, AZ 85539
(928) 425-3271
Miami, AZ 85539
(928) 425-3271
Gr: 6-12 | 424 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 67%
Rank: #2626.
San Carlos High School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: 6-9%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
27010 E Highway 70
San Carlos, AZ 85550
(928) 475-2378
San Carlos, AZ 85550
(928) 475-2378
Gr: 6-12 | 419 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1
Rank: #2727.
Rice Elementary School
(Math: 6% | Reading: 3%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
San Carlos Avenue
San Carlos, AZ 85550
(928) 475-4837
San Carlos, AZ 85550
(928) 475-4837
Gr: PK-6 | 655 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1
Rank: #2828.
San Carlos Middle School
(Math: ≤1% | Reading: 6%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
100 San Carlos Ave
San Carlos, AZ 85550
(928) 475-2315
San Carlos, AZ 85550
(928) 475-2315
Gr: 6-8 | 310 students
Rank: n/an/a
Cvit - Central Campus Cac Aravaipa
Vocational School
80440 E Aravaipa Rd
Winkelman, AZ 85192
(520) 357-2800
Winkelman, AZ 85192
(520) 357-2800
Gr: 10-12
Rank: n/an/a
4739 E Ragus Rd
Miami, AZ 85539
(928) 425-3271
Miami, AZ 85539
(928) 425-3271
Gr: PK
Rank: n/an/a
500 East Rancho Road
Payson, AZ 85547
(928) 472-5801
Payson, AZ 85547
(928) 472-5801
Gr: K-2 | 411 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 31%
Gila County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
Aoc_gila County Juvenile Detention Center (Closed 2023)
Alternative School
1425 E South St
Globe, AZ 85501
(928) 402-8784
Globe, AZ 85501
(928) 402-8784
Gr: 7-12
455 Willow
Globe, AZ 85501
(928) 425-8915
Globe, AZ 85501
(928) 425-8915
Gr: 5-6 | 314 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 59%
Moonbase Rd Hwy 70
Peridot, AZ 85542
(928) 475-2292
Peridot, AZ 85542
(928) 475-2292
Gr: 9-12
1000 East Frontier St
Payson, AZ 85541
(928) 474-2070
Payson, AZ 85541
(928) 474-2070
Gr: K-5 | 325 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
439 South Fourth Street, Unit
Globe, AZ 85502
(928) 425-7800
Globe, AZ 85502
(928) 425-7800
Gr: 6-12
455 N. Willow St.
Globe, AZ 85501
(928) 425-8926
Globe, AZ 85501
(928) 425-8926
Gr: 7-8 | 385 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 54%
Jail-gila County Sheriffs Office (Closed 2023)
Alternative School
1100 E South St
Globe, AZ 85502
(928) 425-3231
Globe, AZ 85502
(928) 425-3231
Gr: Inquire with school
902 W Main St
Payson, AZ 85547
(928) 468-2600
Payson, AZ 85547
(928) 468-2600
Gr: 2-5 | 571 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 41%
5791 South Maple Leaf Rd
Claypool, AZ 85532
(928) 425-3271
Claypool, AZ 85532
(928) 425-3271
Gr: K-2 | 271 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 57%
824 N. Thorne Ave
Winkelman, AZ 85292
(520) 356-7876
Winkelman, AZ 85292
(520) 356-7876
Gr: 6-8 | 69 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 93%
166 Ezell Ln
Payson, AZ 85541
(928) 534-7320
Payson, AZ 85541
(928) 534-7320
Gr: 9-12 | 16 students Minority enrollment: 31%
Payson Center For Success High School (Closed 2023)
Alternative School
514 W Wade Ln
Payson, AZ 85547
(928) 472-5895
Payson, AZ 85547
(928) 472-5895
Gr: 9-12
249 W Standage Dr
Payson, AZ 85547
(928) 478-4706
Payson, AZ 85547
(928) 478-4706
Gr: K-10 | 27 students Minority enrollment: 15%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Gila County, AZ?
The top ranked public schools in Gila County, AZ include Destiny School, Young Elementary School and San Carlos Alternative High School.
How many public schools are located in Gila County?
32 public schools are located in Gila County.
What percentage of students in Gila County go to public school?
94% of all K-12 students in Gila County are educated in public schools (compared to the AZ state average of 93%).
What is the racial composition of students in Gila County?
Gila County public schools minority enrollment is 65% of the student body (majority American Indian), which is less than the Arizona public schools average of 66% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in Gila County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Gila County include: Biyaagozhoo Center vs. Cvit - Globe High School, Pine Strawberry Elementary School vs. Tonto Basin Elementary School, Tonto Basin Elementary School vs. Pine Strawberry Elementary School
Recent Articles
Why Single-Sex Public Schools are Growing in Popularity
This article examines the growing trend of single-sex public schools in the United States. It explores the potential benefits, research findings, and controversies surrounding gender-specific education, as well as the factors driving its increasing popularity among parents and educators.
When Teachers Cheat: The Standardized Test Controversies
Teachers across the country are being accused of cheating on standardized tests, using erasers to conveniently change their students’ answers. However, are these teachers driven to cheat because the funding system is flawed?
When Field Trips Turn Deadly: Who is Responsible?
Recent deaths during field trips have parents and school officials questioning the safety of these excursions. Learn about these tragedies and what parameters should be in place to ensure a safe field trip.
