When Arizona parents search for the best charter school for their child, they want more than a good sales pitch — they want proof. As the most awarded charter school in Arizona, EDUPRIZE Charter Schools has spent nearly two decades earning that proof, one recognition at a time. With six A+ School of Excellence awards, a track record that spans both the Gilbert and Queen Creek campuses, and the distinction of being the only charter school in Arizona to receive the award in 2026, EDUPRIZE isn’t just making a claim. It’s backed by independent evaluators, measurable outcomes, and thousands of families who have chosen to trust us with their children’s education.
A Record Built Over Nearly Two Decades
EDUPRIZE first earned the A+ School of Excellence award in 2007. At the time, it was a powerful signal that something special was happening in the classrooms of our Gilbert campus. But one award is a moment. What EDUPRIZE has built since then is a legacy.
Here is the full list of EDUPRIZE A+ School of Excellence award years:
- 2007 — First award, establishing EDUPRIZE as a school of distinction
- 2010 — Consecutive recognition confirming sustained academic excellence
- 2013 — A third award demonstrating consistency across leadership and curriculum
- 2017 — Recognition following continued growth and program expansion
- 2020 — A fifth award earned during one of the most challenging periods in modern education
- 2026 — The most recent award, and the only one given to a charter school in Arizona this year
No other charter school in Arizona has accumulated this level of recognition from the Arizona Educational Foundation. Six awards over 19 years is not luck. It is the result of a deliberate, values-driven approach to education that has remained consistent even as the school has grown.
What It Takes to Win — and Win Again
The A+ School of Excellence award is administered by the Arizona Educational Foundation and is widely regarded as one of the most rigorous school recognitions in the state. Schools cannot simply apply and hope for the best. The process involves a detailed self-study, on-site evaluations by trained reviewers, analysis of student performance data, and an assessment of school culture, family engagement, and leadership quality.
Earning this award once requires a school to be operating at a very high level. Earning it six times requires that the school never stops improving. For EDUPRIZE, that means every hire, every curriculum decision, every program addition, and every interaction with families is guided by the same standard of excellence the school has been held to since 2007.
The Values Behind the Awards
Awards reflect outcomes, but outcomes are driven by culture. At EDUPRIZE, that culture is shaped by the THRIVE values: Trust, Heart, Respect, Inquiry, Value, and Excellence. These aren’t words on a wall — they are the framework through which teachers plan lessons, administrators make decisions, and students learn to carry themselves.
When evaluators visit our Gilbert and Queen Creek campuses, they don’t just see high test scores. They see classrooms where students feel safe enough to ask hard questions, teachers who know their students by name and learning style, and a community where families are treated as partners in their child’s education. That is what the THRIVE values produce — and that is what the A+ award continues to recognize.
What This Means for Families Enrolling Today
For parents currently evaluating schools in the East Valley, EDUPRIZE’s award history provides something valuable: an independent, third-party confirmation that this school delivers on its promises. You don’t have to take our word for it. The Arizona Educational Foundation’s evaluators already did the work.
When you enroll your child at EDUPRIZE, they gain access to:
- Small class sizes that allow certified teachers to provide real, individualized attention
- Hands-on STEM curriculum and Live Learning Labs designed to make learning stick
- The FLEX Program for students who need a more adaptable learning approach
- RISE Gifted programming for advanced learners ready for an extra challenge
- Safe, welcoming campuses in both Gilbert and Queen Creek serving Pre-K through 8th grade
- An online K–12 program for families who need flexibility without sacrificing quality
Enrollment Is Open Now — Don’t Wait
EDUPRIZE keeps class sizes small by design, which means enrollment spots fill up quickly each year. Open enrollment is happening now for the 2025–2026 school year across both the Gilbert and Queen Creek campuses, as well as the EDUPRIZE Online Program. Families who delay often find that space in their preferred grade is no longer available.
If you want your child in Arizona’s most awarded charter school, the time to act is now. Schedule a tour, see the campuses in person, and ask the questions that matter most to your family. EDUPRIZE has earned its reputation over 19 years and six awards. We’d love the opportunity to earn your trust too.
Learn More
Apply Now: https://www.eduprize.com/Apply/
Schedule a Tour: https://www.eduprize.com/Tour/
Gilbert Campus: https://www.eduprize.com/Gilbert/
Queen Creek Campus: https://www.eduprize.com/QueenCreek/
Online Program: https://www.eduprize.com/Online/