The top reported proficiency rate is 24% in English language arts. The lowest is 18% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Portable Practical Educational Preparation Inc. ( (87405)
Portable Practical Educational Preparation Inc., operating under the name PPEP, is a charter district serving kindergarten through twelfth grade across Arizona, though its two schools—Arizona Virtual Academy and Arizona Insight Academy—function primarily as online programs. The district’s enrollment is substantial for a charter network, drawing a student body that is predominantly Hispanic and white, with a meaningful share of Black students and smaller populations of students who are American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, and of two or more races. Because this is a statewide charter district defined by its virtual model rather than a geographic footprint, it has no single town or neighborhood context; families enroll from across Arizona.
Academically, the state testing results place this district significantly below typical performance levels for its county. On the 2024-25 Arizona assessments, proficiency rates in English language arts were reported in the low twenties and the single digits in math, with science proficiency also falling in the low twenties and teens depending on the grade level. The overall proficiency index across tested subjects and grades sits in the bottom quartile among Maricopa County’s districts. The available trend data shows that performance has been consistently low, and a parent should be aware that these results reflect a persistent challenge rather than a one-year dip.
The most urgent context for any family considering this district is its charter authorization status. In late 2022, the Arizona State Board for Charter Schools voted to issue a Notice of Intent to Revoke PPEP’s charter based on the district not meeting academic performance expectations. Both Arizona Virtual Academy and Insight Academy of Arizona had received the state’s lowest rating, “Falls Far Below Standard,” at that time. The charter remains operational after a corrective action plan was accepted in 2023, but both schools continue to carry that same low rating. This means the district’s continued existence is contingent on meeting performance benchmarks set by the state board, and any family enrolling should understand that the academic pathway here is under active regulatory scrutiny.
State testing data for high school grades was not available in the dataset, and graduation rate information was also absent, likely because the district functions as a virtual or alternative setting where those metrics are not reported in the same way as for traditional districts. The district’s per-pupil current spending falls in the lower half of the middle range among Maricopa County districts, suggesting a leaner operation relative to its peers.
What this district offers is a fully online educational pathway for students across the state. For a family whose child needs or prefers a virtual learning environment, PPEP provides that structure. But the academic proficiency numbers are strikingly low across all tested grades and subjects, and the ongoing charter review process means families should approach enrollment with a clear understanding that the district has not met state expectations for student learning outcomes. A parent considering this option would be well served to ask the schools directly about the corrective action plan, what specific improvements are being tracked, and what evidence of academic growth the schools can point to beyond state test scores.
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