| 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 | Public 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
Families in zip code 85282 (Tempe, Arizona) are assigned to Tempe School District for public education through 12th. This overview covers the district’s funding levels, scale, rating, and what to expect from the enrollment process if you’re moving to or within this zip code.
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
Tempe School District is a large district with 8 schools serving students from Pre-K–12th. Large districts typically provide broad program variety: multiple course tracks at the high school level, dedicated arts and athletic programs, specialized learning pathways, and a wider range of student support services. Individual school quality within a large district can vary considerably — always research your specific assigned school, not just district-level averages.
Understanding the 8/10 Rating
SchoolDistrictFinder rates Tempe School District 9 out of 10 — top-tier among Arizona public school districts. 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 85282 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 85282
Children in zip code 85282 are assigned to Tempe School District for public school enrollment, covering grades Pre-K–12th. School assignments are address-specific — your elementary, middle, and high school placements depend on your exact street address within zip code 85282, 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)730-7100 or visit www.tempeschools.org/. Typical enrollment documents include a signed lease or mortgage statement, birth certificate, state-required immunization documentation, and recent report cards or transcripts. 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
Research consistently shows that district assignment affects residential property values. Because Tempe School District serves zip code 85282, homes in and around zip code 85282 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 85282.
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 85282 data.