Arizona’s A–F School Letter Grade Accountability System gives each public school a rating designed to reflect its academic performance and student growth.
While the system aims to help families make informed decisions about school quality and educational opportunities, Arizona parents find the process, as well as the grades, confusing.
That’s why we’re taking a closer look at how the A–F system works, what factors go into a school’s rating, and how to use that information to better understand and support your child’s education.
Arizona’s A–F School Letter Grade System offers families a yearly snapshot of how public schools are doing.
Created under state law (ARS §15-241), the system is meant to make school performance more transparent, hold schools accountable, and give parents helpful information as they support their child’s education.
Each school’s grade is based on students who were enrolled for the Full Academic Year (FAY), so the school had enough time to make an impact.
Letter grades are released each fall and can be found on the Arizona School Report Cards website.
Arizona’s A–F system gives parents a clearer picture of how schools are performing so they can stay informed and involved in their child’s education.
Arizona’s A–F model for elementary and middle schools focuses on building strong foundations and tracking progress. Each school can earn up to 100 points across four key areas, plus a few bonus opportunities.
Schools earn points based on how many students meet or exceed grade-level standards in Math and English Language Arts, using assessments like the AASA. Performance levels translate to point values:
Partially Proficient = 0.6 points
Proficient = 1.0 point
Highly Proficient = 1.3 points
Growth receives the most weight in the K–8 model. This category tracks how much students improve year over year in math and reading, rewarding progress at every level, not just top scores.
Points are awarded for helping English learners both improve and reach proficiency, based on AZELLA or Alt-ELPA assessments.
This forward-looking category includes:
Reducing struggling 3rd-grade readers
Improving 8th-grade math readiness
Lowering chronic absenteeism
Supporting inclusion and subgroup success
Schools can earn additional credit for high science proficiency or for enrolling more special education students than average. These bonus points can help lift a school’s score and reflect efforts that go beyond the basics.
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Arizona’s A–F system evaluates high schools a bit differently than elementary and middle schools.
In addition to academics, the high school model places greater emphasis on graduation outcomes and college or career readiness. Schools can earn up to 100 points, with extra credit available through bonus categories.
This score reflects how well 11th-grade students perform on the statewide ACT® in Math and English Language Arts. Just like in K–8, students earn more points for higher performance levels.
Growth measures how much progress students make from 9th-grade ACT® Aspire to the 11th-grade ACT®. Schools are rewarded for helping students gain academic ground during the high school years.
This includes 4-, 5-, 6-, and 7-year graduation rates, with greater weight given to students who finish on time. Schools can also earn bonus points for improving their 4-year graduation rate or reaching a 90% benchmark.
Up to 20 points are awarded based on how many students take part in real-world preparation activities. This includes AP® or IB® courses, dual enrollment, CTE programs, industry certifications, FAFSA completion, and more.
As with K–8 schools, high schools can earn up to 10 points by supporting English learners in making measurable progress and reaching language proficiency.
High schools may receive additional points for strong science scores, ACT® Aspire participation, high special education enrollment, or post-secondary enrollment after graduation.
High school ratings in Arizona measure growth, graduation success, and how well students are being prepared for life after school.
After all the points are totaled, including proficiency, growth, readiness, and any bonuses, schools receive a final letter grade.
More than just a label, the letter is intended to reflect how effectively a school supports student learning and long-term success. The thresholds vary slightly between K–8 and high schools.
B (72–83.99): A solid performance overall, with students generally on track and some areas showing strong growth.
C (60–71.99): Performance is average, with room for improvement in core areas like math, reading, or student growth.
D (47–59.99): The school is underperforming in key areas. Students may not be growing as expected, and achievement levels are often below the state average.
F (Below 47): The school is not meeting state expectations and may be subject to additional support or intervention.
A (82–100 points): High marks in academics, graduation rates, and college or career readiness. Most students are on track for postsecondary success.
B (65–81.99): A dependable school with positive outcomes in several areas, though there may be gaps to address.
C (48–64.99): Moderate performance overall. Some students are succeeding, but others may be falling behind.
D (31–47.99): Significant challenges in academic growth, readiness, or graduation outcomes.
F (Below 31): The school is not meeting core benchmarks and may need targeted improvement plans.
A school that earns a D three years in a row is automatically given an F, though an appeal process is available through the Arizona State Board of Education.
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Understanding Arizona’s A–F school rating system gives families a clearer view of how schools are performing but it also raises an important question: how can parents support their own child’s academic progress within that system?
That’s where Mathnasium comes in.
We’re a math-only learning center dedicated to helping K-12 students of all levels reach their true math potential, while changing how they think and feel about the subject.
At the heart of how we work with students is our proprietary teaching approach, the Mathnasium Method™.
Our approach begins with a diagnostic assessment. This helps us pinpoint what the student already knows, what they could improve, and also how they prefer to learn, whether through verbal explanation, hands-on activities, visual models, or written practice. With these insights, we develop a learning plan tailored to each student’s needs.
With the plan in place, our specially trained instructors follow it closely, teaching math face-to-face in an engaging and confidence-building environment. We use a mix of Socratic questioning and direct teaching as well as a range of verbal, mental, visual, written, and tactile techniques to adapt to each learner’s style.
During each session, students aren’t just guided toward the right answer but also encouraged to understand the how and the why behind it. Our goal is to build their critical thinking and problem-solving skills so they can apply them confidently, both in the classroom and beyond.
And the results? They speak volumes:
94% of parents report an improvement in their child's math skills and understanding
93% of parents report an improved attitude towards math after attending Mathnasium
90% of students saw an improvement in their school grades
At Mathnasium, students get face-to-face instruction tailored to their learning style—building confidence, understanding, and long-term math success.
If you're based in Arizona and looking to help your child catch up, keep up, or get ahead in math, Mathnasium of Litchfield Park & Goodyear is ready to support their journey. Schedule a diagnostic assessment at your nearest learning center to get started.
Mathnasium of Litchfield Park is a math-only learning center for K-12 students in Goodyear, AZ. Trusted by over a million parents, Mathnasium uses personalized learning plans and the proprietary Mathnasium Method™ to help students catch up, keep up, and get ahead on their math journey.
Our specially trained tutors deliver face-to-face instruction in a supportive and fun small-group environment, working with students both in center and online to develop a deep understanding of math, build confidence, and improve academic performance.
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