SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Aug. 18, 2026 — BASIS Charter Schools once again rank among the highest-performing public schools in the United States, according to the newly released U.S. News & World Report 2026–27 Best High Schools rankings.
U.S. News & World Report named BASIS Oro Valley the #1 public high school in Arizona and #15 in the nation in its 2026–27 Best High Schools rankings.
The results span BASIS communities in Arizona, Texas and Washington, D.C., and add another chapter to a record of nationally recognized student achievement built over nearly three decades.
“These results are another independent validation of what is possible when schools challenge students to think deeply and aim high to reach their full potential,” said Dr. Craig R. Barrett, chairman of the board of BASIS Charter Schools. “BASIS Charter Schools is committed to developing knowledgeable, capable, and resilient young people who are prepared to contribute meaningfully to an increasingly complex and interconnected world. We are incredibly proud of the students and educators whose dedication made this recognition possible.”
The rankings represent the culmination of a K–12 academic journey built around expert teachers, ambitious coursework, and students who learn from an early age to approach challenges with curiosity and confidence.
“Year after year, BASIS Charter Schools perform at the very top of the nation’s best high schools, and we are enormously proud of that consistency, said Patti Bezanson, co-chair of BASIS Educational Ventures. These rankings measure many of the outcomes the school model is built to deliver – academic achievement, college readiness, and preparation for success at the nation’s top colleges and universities. Reaching these heights is an extraordinary accomplishment. Remaining there year after year is a testament to students, teachers, and the strength of a school model that continues to deliver exceptional results.”
U.S. News evaluates public high schools using measures related to college readiness, college curriculum breadth, state assessment performance and proficiency, outcomes among underserved students, and graduation rates.
For their 2026-2027 Best High School rankings, U.S. News ranked 17,945 schools using data from the 2023-24 academic year at more than 27,000 public high schools in 50 states and the District of Columbia.
National Rankings
- #15 BASIS Oro Valley
- #16 BASIS Goodyear
- #29 BASIS Prescott
- #38 BASIS Chandler
- #42 BASIS Mesa
- #51 BASIS Scottsdale
- #52 BASIS Flagstaff
- #57 BASIS San Antonio – Shavano
- #58 BASIS Tucson North
- #61 BASIS Ahwatukee
- #62 BASIS Peoria
- #74 BASIS Phoenix
- #192 BASIS Washington D.C.
Arizona
- #1 BASIS Oro Valley (#1 in Tucson Metro Area)
- #2 BASIS Goodyear (#1 in Phoenix Metro Area)
- #3 BASIS Prescott (#1 in Prescott Valley Metro Area)
- #4 BASIS Chandler
- #5 BASIS Mesa
- #7 BASIS Scottsdale
- #8 BASIS Flagstaff (#1 in Flagstaff Metro Area)
- #9 BASIS Tucson North
- #10 BASIS Ahwatukee
- #11 BASIS Peoria
- #12 BASIS Phoenix
Texas
- #8 BASIS San Antonio – Shavano (#1 in San Antonio Metro Area)
Washington, D.C.
- #2 BASIS Washington, D.C. (#8 in the D.C. Metro Area)
National STEM Rankings
BASIS Charter Schools campuses earned five of the top 10 STEM schools in the nation.
- #2 BASIS Ahwatukee (AZ)
- #3 BASIS Chandler (AZ)
- #5 BASIS Scottsdale (AZ)
- #8 BASIS Peoria (AZ)
- #9 BASIS Tucson North (AZ)
- #15 BASIS Phoenix (AZ)
- #16 BASIS Oro Valley (AZ)
- #18 BASIS Goodyear (AZ)
- #21 BASIS San Antonio – Shavano (TX)
- #31 BASIS Flagstaff (AZ)
- #67 BASIS Prescott (AZ)
- #68 BASIS Mesa (AZ)
National Charter School Rankings
BASIS Charter Schools campuses earned seven of the top 10 charter schools in the nation.
- #2 BASIS Oro Valley (AZ)
- #3 BASIS Goodyear (AZ)
- #5 BASIS Prescott (AZ)
- #6 BASIS Chandler (AZ)
- #8 BASIS Mesa (AZ)
- #9 BASIS Scottsdale (AZ)
- #10 BASIS Flagstaff (AZ)
- #13 BASIS San Antonio – Shavano (TX)
- #14 BASIS Tucson North (AZ)
- #15 BASIS Ahwatukee (AZ)
- #16 BASIS Peoria (AZ)
- #21 BASIS Phoenix (AZ)
- #45 BASIS Washington, D.C. (D.C.)
ABOUT BASIS CHARTER SCHOOLS
BASIS Charter Schools is a network of award-winning, tuition-free public charter schools serving grades K–12. With 40+ campuses across Arizona, Louisiana, Texas, and Washington, D.C., we empower each student to reach their full potential and succeed at the world’s top colleges. Find a school near you and learn why BASIS is the top-ranked school network in the nation.
As a public charter school network, we are open to all students, with no entrance exams. Applications for the 2027–28 school year opens Oct. 21, 2026. Visit our Enrollment Guide page for more information.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Sean Amir, Director of Communications – 480-710-5266 / [email protected]
Samantha Sandland, Public Relations Specialist – 602-421-5495 / [email protected]
