The top reported proficiency rate is 64% in Math. The lowest is 43% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Great Hearts Academies - Archway Cicero
Great Hearts Academies - Archway Cicero is a charter school in Phoenix serving kindergarten through seventh grade, though the available enrollment data shows students only through fifth grade with no learners recorded for sixth or seventh. A family considering this school would be wise to clarify the full grade structure directly with the school, since this may reflect a phased build-out or a data reporting gap. The school is part of the Great Hearts network, which is widely known for a classical liberal arts curriculum.
Phoenix is a large, sprawling urban center with a car-oriented layout and a fast-growing population. The local economy is concentrated in technology, manufacturing, tourism, and services. Housing values in the school’s ZIP code are very high, well above national and state medians, which suggests the immediate neighborhood is affluent. The school itself sits at a Phoenix address on a commercial corridor near the Biltmore area.
Academically, Archway Cicero performs well compared to other schools in Maricopa County. On a combined proficiency index across tested subjects and grades, the school places in the top quartile relative to the county’s many districts. In the most recent state assessments, a strong majority of students met proficiency in math across grades three through five, with particularly high performance in fifth grade. In English language arts, results were more mixed: just over half of third graders were proficient, while fourth and fifth graders reached roughly two-thirds proficiency. Science results for fifth graders were lower, with fewer than half testing proficient. This is a subject area where a parent may want to ask the school about its curriculum and support.
Because the school’s grade span ends at seventh, there is no high school graduation rate to report, and state testing only covers grades three through five, so no results are available for upper-elementary grades beyond that. The data shows only one year of test results, so no trends in academic performance can be assessed.
Enrollment is modest given the grade band. The student body is predominantly white, with a sizable Hispanic population and smaller shares of students who are two or more races, Asian, Black, and American Indian or Alaska Native. No data is available on the share of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch, students with disabilities, or English learners. These are important factors in understanding the school’s student supports, and a parent should inquire about them directly.
The district, Archway Classical Academy Cicero, reported no recent changes of lasting interest in publicly available sources. The school itself is a regular charter school and does not receive Title I funding, nor is it a magnet. There is no information on discipline rates, chronic absenteeism, course access, or staffing ratios, all of which would offer a fuller picture of the school environment.
For a family that values a classical education model and strong academic outcomes relative to the county, and that can navigate a high-cost housing market, Archway Cicero presents a solid option for elementary and early middle school years. Those concerned about science performance or wanting clarity on special education and English learner services will need to seek additional information from the school.
See more original research from School Decision →