Arizona Virtual Academy, Phoenix AZ

Original Research by School Decision on Arizona Virtual Academy

Arizona Virtual Academy is a full-time, publicly funded K-12 charter school operating virtually, with its administrative office in Phoenix. It serves a large student body that spans all grade levels, drawing families from across Arizona who are seeking an online learning environment. The student population is diverse, with Hispanic and White students each making up a substantial share, and Black, multiracial, and Native American students represented in smaller but noticeable proportions. Data on economic disadvantage and special education status were not available, so a family with specific support needs would want to ask the school directly about those resources.

State testing results cover grades three through eight in math and English language arts, and grades five and eight in science. Across every tested grade and subject, proficiency rates were low. In math, proficiency levels were in the single digits for most grades, and in English language arts they ranged from roughly a fifth to just over a quarter of students meeting the bar. Science proficiency was similarly low. These numbers place the school’s overall academic performance in the bottom quartile relative to districts in Maricopa County. Multi-year trend data available for recent years do not show a clear pattern of improvement; the most recent English and math scores were at the lower end of the range observed. A family considering this school should examine the test results closely and ask how the school is working to raise achievement.

Because Arizona Virtual Academy serves grades K-12, a graduation rate would normally be available for the high school cohort, but that data was missing from the information provided. Similarly, chronic absenteeism data was not reported. Both are common metrics for evaluating a school’s ability to keep students engaged, and their absence is a gap worth noting.

A deeper concern surrounds the charter’s authorization. The school is operated by Portable Practical Educational Preparation Inc. (PPEP). In late 2022, the Arizona State Board for Charter Schools voted to issue a Notice of Intent to Revoke the charter, citing academic performance that fell well below expectations. Both Arizona Virtual Academy and its sister school received the lowest possible performance rating. The charter remains open under a corrective action plan accepted in 2023, but the academic ratings have not improved. This is a material, ongoing issue that directly affects the school’s future stability. Any family considering enrollment should understand that the school’s authorization is contingent on meeting performance benchmarks, and the status bears watching.

The school is based in Phoenix, a fast-growing, car-oriented city with a diverse economy anchored in technology, manufacturing, tourism, and services. For a virtual school, the local geography and walkability matter less than the quality of the internet connection and the family’s ability to support at-home learning. The Phoenix address is primarily an administrative and support hub; students are not expected to commute there daily.

Arizona Virtual Academy offers a flexible, remote option for families who prefer or need schooling from home. However, the academic record is weak, and the charter’s authorization is under scrutiny. A parent would be wise to investigate how the school plans to improve student outcomes, what supports are available for struggling learners, and what the prospects are for the charter’s long-term renewal. This school may fit a family that prioritizes a virtual setting above all else and is willing to work closely with the school to supplement academic gaps, but the combination of low test scores and charter instability gives clear reasons to proceed with caution.

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Academic performance

State test results and graduation outcomes.

Graduation rate (ACGR)

71.0%Cohort of 303 students · Class of 2021

How this school compares to all schools in this state

Each dot is one school’s SY 2020-21 graduation rate, binned by integer rate. Taller columns mean more schools at that rate. This school is highlighted.

512 schools plotted. 33 additional schools' rates are federally suppressed and not shown. Data: EDFacts SY 2020-21.

Math

Grade 38%

School 8% · district not reported

▼ 36 pts below state median · ▼ 38 pts below county median

Grade 410%

School 10% · district not reported

▼ 34 pts below state median · ▼ 37 pts below county median

Grade 511%

School 11% · district not reported

▼ 31 pts below state median · ▼ 35 pts below county median

Grade 63%

School 3% · district not reported

▼ 33 pts below state median · ▼ 37 pts below county median

Grade 77%

School 7% · district not reported

▼ 25 pts below state median · ▼ 26 pts below county median

English language arts

Grade 320%

School 20% · district not reported

▼ 20 pts below state median · ▼ 24 pts below county median

Grade 425%

School 25% · District 30% · ▼ 5 pts below district

▼ 22 pts below state median · ▼ 25 pts below county median

Grade 517%

School 17% · District 20% · ▼ 3 pts below district

▼ 24 pts below state median · ▼ 27 pts below county median

Grade 622%

School 22% · district not reported

▼ 21 pts below state median · ▼ 23 pts below county median

Grade 727%

School 27% · district not reported

▼ 16 pts below state median · ▼ 18 pts below county median

Grade 819%

School 19% · District 23% · ▼ 4 pts below district

▼ 21 pts below state median · ▼ 23 pts below county median

Science

Grade 520%

School 20% · District 20%

▼ 17 pts below state median · ▼ 19 pts below county median

Grade 817%

School 17% · District 15% · ▲ 2 pts above district

▼ 16 pts below state median · ▼ 18 pts below county median

This schoolPortable Practical Educational Preparation Inc. ( (87405), same grade

Graduation rate (ACGR) reflects the federally published Adjusted Cohort Graduation Rate for the most recent year available. We refresh this data annually at the close of each academic year in June. The federal source publishes a banded rate (for example, "90-94%") instead of an exact number for cohorts small enough to risk identifying individual students. The state distribution chart, where shown, plots every school in the state with a published rate or band; schools whose rate is federally suppressed are excluded. Where the federal source publishes a band rather than an exact rate, the school is placed within its band using a stable, ID-derived offset, so its position is consistent across visits.