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 94%).
The top ranked public schools in Gila County, AZ are Destiny School, Young Elementary School and Pine Strawberry Elementary 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 18% (versus the Arizona public school average of 35%), 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
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Destiny School
Charter School
(Math: 65-69% | 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
Grades: K-8
| 365 students
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
Grades: PK-8
| 47 students
Rank: #33.
Pine Strawberry Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
3868 N Pine Creek Dr
Pine, AZ 85544
(928) 476-3283
Pine, AZ 85544
(928) 476-3283
Grades: PK-8
| 111 students
Rank: #44.
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
Grades: K-12
| 26 students
Rank: #55.
Tonto Basin Elementary School
(Math: 50-59% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
445 S. Old Hwy 188
Tonto Basin, AZ 85553
(928) 479-2277
Tonto Basin, AZ 85553
(928) 479-2277
Grades: PK-8
| 80 students
Rank: #66.
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
Grades: 9-12
| 8 students
Rank: #77.
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
Grades: 3-12
| 6 students
Rank: #88.
Payson High School
(Math: 35-39% | 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
Grades: 9-12
| 748 students
Rank: #99.
Globe High School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
437 S High Street
Globe, AZ 85501
(928) 402-6100
Globe, AZ 85501
(928) 402-6100
Grades: 9-12
| 508 students
Rank: #1010.
Rim Country Middle School
(Math: 21% | Reading: 37%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
304 S Meadow St
Payson, AZ 85547
(928) 472-3062
Payson, AZ 85547
(928) 472-3062
Grades: 6-8
| 488 students
Rank: #1111.
Hayden High School
(Math: 20-29% | 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
Grades: 9-12
| 86 students
Rank: #12 - 1312. - 13.
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
Grades: 7-12
| 72 students
Rank: #12 - 1312. - 13.
Tiger Knowledge Online (Tko)
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
460 N Willow St
Globe, AZ 85501
(928) 402-6000
Globe, AZ 85501
(928) 402-6000
Grades: K-12
| 17 students
Rank: #1414.
Copper Rim Elementary School
(Math: 21% | Reading: 19%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1600 Mesquite
Globe, AZ 85501
(928) 402-5800
Globe, AZ 85501
(928) 402-5800
Grades: PK-5
| 745 students
Rank: #1515.
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
Grades: 7-12
| n/a students
Rank: #1616.
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
Grades: K-12
| n/a students
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
Grades: 9-12
| n/a students
Rank: #1818.
High Desert Middle School
(Math: 11% | Reading: 22%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
4000 High Desert
Globe, AZ 85501
(928) 402-5900
Globe, AZ 85501
(928) 402-5900
Grades: 6-8
| 401 students
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
Grades: PK-3
| 240 students
Rank: #2020.
Leonor Hambly K-8
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
824 Thorne Ave.
Winkelman, AZ 85192
(520) 356-7876
Winkelman, AZ 85192
(520) 356-7876
Grades: PK-8
| 215 students
Rank: #2121.
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
Grades: 9-12
| n/a students
Rank: #2222.
Miami Junior Senior High School
(Math: 8% | Reading: 16%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
4639 E. Ragus Road
Miami, AZ 85539
(928) 425-3271
Miami, AZ 85539
(928) 425-3271
Grades: 6-12
| 424 students
Rank: #2323.
Lee Kornegay Intermediate School
(Math: 7% | Reading: 16%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
4635 E. Ragus Rd.
Miami, AZ 85539
(928) 425-3271
Miami, AZ 85539
(928) 425-3271
Grades: 3-6
| 263 students
Rank: #2424.
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
Grades: 9-12
| n/a students
Rank: #2525.
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
Grades: 9-12
| n/a students
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
Grades: 6-12
| 419 students
Rank: #2727.
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
Grades: 6-8
| 310 students
Rank: #2828.
Rice Elementary School
(Math: 2% | 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
Grades: PK-6
| 655 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
Grades: 10-12
| n/a students
Rank: n/an/a
4739 E Ragus Rd
Miami, AZ 85539
(928) 425-3271
Miami, AZ 85539
(928) 425-3271
Grades: PK
| n/a students
Rank: n/an/a
500 East Rancho Road
Payson, AZ 85547
(928) 472-5801
Payson, AZ 85547
(928) 472-5801
Grades: K-2
| 411 students
Rank: n/an/a
100 San Carlos Ave
San Carlos, AZ 85550
(928) 475-2315
San Carlos, AZ 85550
(928) 475-2315
Grades: K-12
| n/a students
Gila County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
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
Grades: 7-12
| n/a students
455 Willow
Globe, AZ 85501
(928) 425-8915
Globe, AZ 85501
(928) 425-8915
Grades: 5-6
| 314 students
Moonbase Rd Hwy 70
Peridot, AZ 85542
(928) 475-2292
Peridot, AZ 85542
(928) 475-2292
Grades: 9-12
| n/a students
1000 East Frontier St
Payson, AZ 85541
(928) 474-2070
Payson, AZ 85541
(928) 474-2070
Grades: K-5
| 325 students
439 South Fourth Street, Unit
Globe, AZ 85502
(928) 425-7800
Globe, AZ 85502
(928) 425-7800
Grades: 6-12
| n/a students
455 N. Willow St.
Globe, AZ 85501
(928) 425-8926
Globe, AZ 85501
(928) 425-8926
Grades: 7-8
| 385 students
Drawer H
Miami, AZ 85539
(520) 473-2476
Miami, AZ 85539
(520) 473-2476
Grades: n/a
| n/a students
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
Grades: Inquire with school
| n/a students
902 W Main St
Payson, AZ 85547
(928) 468-2600
Payson, AZ 85547
(928) 468-2600
Grades: 2-5
| 571 students
5791 South Maple Leaf Rd
Claypool, AZ 85532
(928) 425-3271
Claypool, AZ 85532
(928) 425-3271
Grades: K-2
| 271 students
824 N. Thorne Ave
Winkelman, AZ 85292
(520) 356-7876
Winkelman, AZ 85292
(520) 356-7876
Grades: 6-8
| 69 students
166 Ezell Ln
Payson, AZ 85541
(928) 534-7320
Payson, AZ 85541
(928) 534-7320
Grades: 9-12
| 16 students
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
Grades: 9-12
| n/a students
112 W Cedar Lane, Unit 122
Payson, AZ 85541
(928) 468-8509
Payson, AZ 85541
(928) 468-8509
Grades: n/a
| n/a students
San Carlos Avenue
San Carlos, AZ 85550
(928) 475-2315
San Carlos, AZ 85550
(928) 475-2315
Grades: K-6
| n/a students
27010 E Highway 70
San Carlos, AZ 85550
(928) 475-2378
San Carlos, AZ 85550
(928) 475-2378
Grades: 9-12
| n/a students
249 W Standage Dr
Payson, AZ 85547
(928) 478-4706
Payson, AZ 85547
(928) 478-4706
Grades: K-10
| 27 students
824 Thorne Ave
Winkelman, AZ 85292
(520) 356-7876
Winkelman, AZ 85292
(520) 356-7876
Grades: 4-6
| n/a students
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 Pine Strawberry Elementary 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 94%).
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
Parents’ Guide to Special Education
Special education law is not easy to decipher, with several regulations that govern special education services for disabled students. In this article, learn about the core components of the laws, rights, and individual education plans that can help create the best public school environment for your child.
Surveillance Cameras: Violation of Rights or Improved Security?
A school district in Virginia has given the green light to schools that want to install surveillance cameras in common areas like cafeterias and hallways. We’ll look at whether this is a violation of student privacy or the best way to keep order in schools.
Teachers in 19 States Allowed to Physically Punish Students
As of 2014, nineteen states still allow corporal punishment – spanking and paddling the most common choices – in their public schools. However, some argue that not only are these punishments physically harmful, they also are disproportionately administered to students of color. As a result, House democrats have taken up the issue in a new bill that would ban all forms of corporal punishment nationwide.
