The 8 Best Scottsdale Area Private Schools

Choosing the right private school for your child means sorting through all the potential options in your area. But when you’re new to an area like Scottsdale where incredible schools aren’t in short supply, it can be hard to know where to start. In this guide, we walk you through the best Scottsdale area private schools to look for, whether you’re settling down in Scottsdale proper, DC Ranch, Grayhawk, or Paradise Valley. With options listed for all age ranges, you’ll be able to narrow down your top choice in no time.

Starting off our list is Bella Vista College Preparatory School. This private, K-12 institution has served the Scottsdale community since 2004. Located on N 56th, Bella Vista keeps its classes intentionally small and personalizes its curriculum to meet the learning styles and needs of its students. International exposure is given high value at Bella Vista, and students are encouraged to participate in school trips abroad. Placing a strong emphasis on maintaining academic excellence while building critical thinking and problem-solving skills, Bella Vista is known for training the leaders of tomorrow.

Located on Gainey Ranch Center Drive, the Fusion Academy is a unique, private middle and high school that serves students in one-on-one classes. Operating since 2019, the Fusion Academy offers part-time and full-time options, as well as online learning. These different models present parents with the chance to customize their tuition payments while students can balance in-class learning with real-world world experience. With a focus on mentorship and building up a child’s individual strengths, Fusion Academy is a great choice for families looking for the latest in educational innovation.

For little ones, there’s no better private preschool than the Scottsdale School. Built on Christian traditions and values, the Scottsdale School opened in 1948 and is located on N Frank Lloyd Wright Blvd. The school’s curriculum supports every child’s full development with the hope of having students exceed all of Arizona’s standards in age-appropriate math, science, fine arts, and literacy skills. Additional programs in Spanish, music, and chapel are available to supplement daily learning.

With a home on E San Salvador Drive, the International School of Arizona is a favorite of families looking for language immersion programs. Serving students from 18 months through 8th grade, the International School excels in Spanish and French immersion, where students learn through play, language classes, and a standard curriculum as well.

 

The school has been around for over 20 years, helping students achieve more than they thought possible. Their programs are built around the values of critical thinking, creativity, character, communication, and curiosity, making the International School a place where students graduate with well-rounded abilities and high potential.

Notre Dame Preparatory is one of Scottsdale’s best private Christian high schools. Housed on E Bell Road, the school offers a number of academic programs, from AP classes to dual enrollment, and multiple scholarship opportunities for high achievers. Centered around the values of the Catholic faith, Notre Dame infuses religious traditions of prayer and service into its culture, encouraging students to embrace the school’s three pillars: reverence, respect, and responsibility. With robust athletic and artistic extracurriculars, families can be certain their child will receive a well-balanced, high-value experience at Notre Dame.

Pinnacle Peak Preparatory, located on E Williams Drive, is the perfect place for your student to call home if you’re shopping for Paradise Valley real estate. Currently, Pinnacle Peak Prep is the only K-8 school in the Paradise Valley school district. It has an award-winning fine arts program and interactive STEM opportunities for students to build their skills across a full range of topics.

 

Students take four core classes a year: English, Social Studies, Math, and Science. Then, they supplement those with two full-year electives or a combination of semester-long options. Pinnacle Peak values giving students choices and encouraging students to push beyond what they think they’re capable of.

Families will find Paradise Valley Christian Prep on N 24th Street. Open since 1974, Paradise Valley Prep seeks to spiritually nurture and academically enrich students of all backgrounds. From preschool through grade 12, students are mentored and supported as they develop intellectually and become critical thinkers, armed and ready to take on whatever they pursue next. Throughout the years, students are given the perfect environment in which to develop academically, physically, socially, and spiritually, whether through learning in the classroom, joining a club, or participating in a sports team.

The Phoenix Country Day School resides on E Stanford Drive and is another great option for families who want to enroll at a school with smaller class sizes. Maxing out at 750 students from preschool through high school, Phoenix Country Day maintains a student-to-teacher ratio of 9:1. The school is built on four foundational statements, including “I am an individual,” “I am part of a whole,” “I know how to think,” and “I am inclined to action.”

 

With these ideas in mind, students are taught to learn in age-appropriate ways, with play and discovery serving as strong components for preschool and lower-school children. Curiosity and initiative-taking are encouraged as students take part in more than 60 clubs and extracurriculars.

So much of where you send your children to school depends on where you live. If you’re considering a move to the Scottsdale area but aren’t sure where to settle down, work with a local realtor who knows the ins and outs of each part of town. Roger Banning has been helping Arizona buyers find their perfect home for 20 years.

 

With a commitment to hard work, expert service, and keen attention to detail, Roger has earned a reputation as one of the top realtors in the Scottsdale and Phoenix markets. So when you’re looking for a professional who can guide you seamlessly through the homebuying process and help you determine the best schools for your child, get in touch with Roger Banning.