with district
| Metric | Tempe School District | National Average | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Enrollment | 12,664 | 3,700 | ↑ Larger than avg |
| Number of Schools | 8 | 6 | Varies by district |
| Per-Pupil Spending | $9,009/yr | $13,700/yr | State avg est. |
| District Type | Charter School District | Public District | — |
| Overall Rating | 8/10 — Good | — | Above average |
| District | Rating | Percentile | Students |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tempe School District (this district) | 8/10 | 73rd | 12,664 |
| Tempe Union High School District / Tempe Elementary School District 3 | NR | — | 14,000 |
| Tempe Union High School District | 8/10 | 73rd | 12,664 |
| Kyrene Elementary District | NR | — | — |
🔢 Show the math behind this rating
Ranked against 492 rated districts in AZ → 73rd percentile → 8/10.
Source: Arizona Dept. of Education AASA/ACT/MSAA combined assessments, Percent Passing, 2025. Full methodology →
About Tempe School District
Zip code 85281 in Tempe, Arizona is served by Tempe School District for public school enrollment. The district covers grades 9th – 12th. This page provides a data-driven overview of Tempe School District’s funding levels, size, rating, and what families should know before enrolling or making a housing decision in this area.
Funding and Resources
Tempe School District spent $9,009 per student in the 2019–20 school year (U.S. Dept. of Education CCD finance data), 17% below Arizona’s statewide $10,800 estimate.
District Scale and Program Breadth
With 2 schools, Tempe School District operates as a small, community-focused district serving students from 9th – 12th. Small districts often benefit from tighter community cohesion, more personalized teacher-student relationships, and stronger parental involvement. The trade-off is narrower program variety: fewer elective courses, specialized tracks, or extracurricular options than larger systems offer.
Understanding the 8/10 Rating
Tempe School District has earned an overall SchoolDistrictFinder rating of 9/10, placing it in the top-tier tier. Our ratings are based on state assessment results — the share of students scoring proficient or above in reading and math, as reported in Arizona’s AASA/ACT/MSAA combined assessments (2025 school year). We average each district’s reading and math proficiency, then rank it against other districts in the same state to produce a 1–10 score. Because Arizona is compared only against itself, the rating reflects how this district performs relative to its in-state peers.
Tempe School District ranks among the highest-performing public school districts in Arizona on state assessments, with reading and math proficiency rates in roughly the top 10–20% statewide. Homes in and around zip code 85281 often carry a measurable premium relative to neighboring areas served by lower-rated districts. Families moving here for academic strength will find a district whose students test well above the state norm. Even within top-rated districts, individual school performance varies — confirm your specific school assignments directly with the district.
Enrollment for Families in Zip Code 85281
Children in zip code 85281 are assigned to Tempe School District for public school enrollment, covering grades 9th – 12th. School assignments are address-specific — your elementary, middle, and high school placements depend on your exact street address within zip code 85281, not just your neighborhood. Two homes on opposite ends of the same zip code may be assigned to different schools within the same district.
To confirm your specific school assignments, contact Tempe School District at (480)947-9511 or visit the district’s official website. Typical enrollment documents include proof of residency (lease or deed plus a utility bill), your child’s birth certificate, current immunization records, and prior school records. If your child has an IEP or 504 plan, bring that documentation to enrollment — Arizona districts are required to continue services within a reasonable period. Fall enrollment windows typically open in late winter or early spring; contact the district for exact dates and required steps.
School Districts and Home Values in Tempe
School district quality is one of the most consistent factors in residential home pricing. Because Tempe School District serves zip code 85281, homes in and around zip code 85281 often carry a measurable premium over comparable properties in adjacent lower-rated districts. District boundaries are address-specific — verify the exact district assignment for any property you’re seriously considering rather than assuming based on the neighborhood. A single block can place two adjacent homes in different districts with different ratings and different annual property tax implications.
Use the property tax estimator on this page to calculate estimated annual tax obligations based on your target purchase price. In Arizona, property taxes are a primary funding source for public schools — your tax payments directly support Tempe School District programs and staff. Understanding both district quality and the associated tax burden is essential financial due diligence before committing to any home in zip code 85281.
Data Sources and Accuracy
All district information on this page is sourced from the NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) 2024–2025, the U.S. Department of Education’s annual census of all public school districts — the same dataset used by researchers, journalists, and policymakers to analyze American public education. District boundaries, school assignments, phone numbers, and per-pupil expenditure figures are updated annually when NCES publishes new data, typically in spring. Always verify your specific school assignment and enrollment requirements directly with Tempe School District before making any housing or enrollment decision based on zip code 85281 data.