The top reported proficiency rate is 83% in English language arts. The lowest is 63% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Tri-city College Prep
Tri-City College Prep is a public charter school in Prescott serving grades 5 through 12. The school operates under the Mary Ellen Halvorson Educational Foundation and is classified as a regular school rather than an alternative or special-purpose program. The grade band means it covers the full sweep from late elementary through high school, which is an unusual range and means a student could spend eight years in the same building and among the same peer group if they start in 5th grade.
The school is small, with an enrollment that fits comfortably within the typical range for a charter serving multiple grade levels. The student body is predominantly white, with a Hispanic population making up the largest minority group. Small numbers of Asian, Black, and multiracial students are also enrolled, along with a single Native American student. A parent should note that the school does not report the share of students who qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, nor does it report counts of students with disabilities or English learners. That makes it difficult to assess the school's economic diversity or the scope of its special education and language support programs from this data alone. A family with specific needs in these areas would want to ask the school directly.
Academically, Tri-City College Prep posts strong proficiency results on the state's AASA assessments. In 7th grade math, a large majority of students scored proficient, and in 8th grade the proficiency rate was also solid, though lower than 7th. In English language arts, the 8th grade proficiency rate was very high, and the 7th grade rate was strong as well. State science results were also available for 8th grade and showed a clear majority of students proficient. Across tested subjects and grade levels, the school's overall proficiency index placed it in the top quartile of all schools in Yavapai County, which is a competitive field of districts and charter operators.
The school's name signals a college-preparatory mission, and the academic results are consistent with that emphasis. No information was available on the school's course offerings, including whether it offers Advanced Placement, dual enrollment, or career and technical education programs. For a school that serves high school grades and calls itself a college prep, those details are important for a family deciding if the pathway fits. The absence of a four-year graduation rate in the data also means a reader cannot evaluate how many students complete high school in four years here.
The school is a charter, which means it operates independently of the local district and families choose it through the state's open enrollment process. Attendance boundaries typical of traditional public schools do not apply, so any Arizona resident can apply.
Prescott itself is the Yavapai County seat and a regional trade and tourism center with a historic downtown built around the courthouse plaza. The city has an older population, reflecting its role as a retirement destination, and is also home to three colleges: Yavapai College, Prescott College, and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. The largest employment sectors are health care, retail, and professional services. The median home value and rents in the area are above the national average, and the housing market is relatively tight given the city's growth. Prescott's population has been growing, and ongoing infrastructure projects on major roads and at parks and fairgrounds suggest continued development pressure.
The charter authorizer operating as the Mary Ellen Halvorson Educational Foundation did not have any parent-relevant changes confirmed in recent years. This may indicate stability, but for a single-school charter, operational transparency and renewal timelines are things a prospective family would want to vet directly with the school and the state board that oversees charter authorization.
Who this school fits. A family looking for a small, college-oriented public charter with proven academic performance and a peer group that skews toward strong proficiency in math, reading, and science. The school covers a long grade span, which may appeal to families who want continuity and a single institutional culture from late elementary through high school. Prescott's older population and tourism-based economy may not offer the typical school-community match for every family, but for those already living in the area or planning a move, the school's academic results are a clear draw. The missing pieces on special populations and course pathways mean a family should do its own homework with the school before drawing final conclusions about fit.
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