For the 2025 school year, there are 4 public schools serving 1,647 students in Payson, AZ (there are 1 private school, serving 176 private students). 90% of all K-12 students in Payson, AZ are educated in public schools (compared to the AZ state average of 94%).
The top ranked public schools in Payson, AZ are Payson High School, Rim Country Middle School and Payson Center For Success - Online. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Payson, AZ public schools have an average math proficiency score of 25% (versus the Arizona public school average of 35%), and reading proficiency score of 37% (versus the 41% statewide average). Schools in Payson have an average ranking of 5/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Arizona public schools.
Minority enrollment is 35% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Arizona public school average of 66% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Payson, AZ (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
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: #22.
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: #33.
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: n/an/a
500 East Rancho Road
Payson, AZ 85547
(928) 472-5801
Payson, AZ 85547
(928) 472-5801
Grades: K-2
| 411 students
Payson, Arizona Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
1000 East Frontier St
Payson, AZ 85541
(928) 474-2070
Payson, AZ 85541
(928) 474-2070
Grades: K-5
| 325 students
902 W Main St
Payson, AZ 85547
(928) 468-2600
Payson, AZ 85547
(928) 468-2600
Grades: 2-5
| 571 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
249 W Standage Dr
Payson, AZ 85547
(928) 478-4706
Payson, AZ 85547
(928) 478-4706
Grades: K-10
| 27 students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Payson, AZ?
The top ranked public schools in Payson, AZ include Payson High School, Rim Country Middle School and Payson Center For Success - Online.
How many public schools are located in Payson?
4 public schools are located in Payson.
What percentage of students in Payson go to public school?
90% of all K-12 students in Payson are educated in public schools (compared to the AZ state average of 94%).
What is the racial composition of students in Payson?
Payson public schools minority enrollment is 35% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Arizona public schools average of 66% (majority Hispanic).
Recent Articles
Texas Schools: The Voucher/School Choice Debate
The issue of school choice and a voucher system is currently being revisited in Houston and across the state of Texas, with strong opinions on both sides of the debate.
Fuel Up to Play 60 Focuses on Integrating Fitness and Wellness into the School Day
What if NFL players came to your school? With the Fuel Up to Play 60 program, sponsored by the National Dairy Council and the NFL, nutrition and exercise are promoted during the school day. NFL players participate in the program by coming to schools and talking to students about fitness. Learn more about the program and some of the schools that are implementing it.
What Parents Need to Know About Lunch Shaming
Students all over the nation go hungry every day not because their schools don’t offer lunch, but because they refuse them to children with outstanding debts. Read on to learn about the horror that is lunch shaming and what can be done about it.