Choosing the right school is an important decision that can have a significant impact on your child’s academic and personal development. The Estrella community has many excellent schools, but how does a parent navigate the decision-making process? We’ve listed special awards, programs and rankings offered by our local schools below, as well as enrollment numbers and student-teacher ratios. We consulted the U.S. News website for information, as well as including recent student, teacher and school accolades.
In addition to viewing the school rankings and awards, visit the campuses of the schools your family is interested in and talk to families whose children attend the schools. This provides a firsthand experience of the environment and helps you better gauge if the school is a good fit for your family.
Estrella’s community schools include two elementary schools (K-8th grade) and a high school (9th-12th) that offer focuses on arts, STEAM, agriscience, dual language, leadership, and International Baccalaureate programs.
Estrella Mountain Elementary School, 10301 South San Miguel Drive, Goodyear
Estrella Mountain Elementary School is home to the Primary and Middle Years International Baccalaureate (IB) Program. The IB program fosters critical thinking and builds problem-solving skills and a healthy appetite for learning and excellence. Enrollment is 558 and the student-teacher ratio is 20:1. This school operates on a four-day school week. Awards and recognitions include:
- The A+ Award of Excellence in the spring of 2018 from the Arizona Educational Foundation, which requires judges to evaluate an application and visit the school for two days.
- Estrella Mountain is one of only two International Baccalaureate® (IB) World Schools in Arizona authorized to offer both the International Baccalaureate® (IB) Primary Years Program (K-5) and the Middle Years Program (6-8).
- Estrella Mountain believes that community partnership is integral to our success. In collaboration with parents and the community, there is a Cougar Community Volunteer Program in place.
- Estrella Mountain’s Science Olympiad team continues to place in the state competitions, most recently taking 2nd place, only 1 point from 1st place.
Westar Elementary School, 17777 West Westar Drive, Goodyear
Westar Elementary School is a STEAM school and provides an educational program developed to prepare primary and secondary students for college and graduate study in the fields of science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics (STEAM). Enrollment is 751 and the student-teacher ratio is 18:1. Westar Elementary School is ranked #280 in Arizona Elementary Schools and ranked #231 in Arizona Middle Schools. Westar Elementary School’s high ranking allows it to display the U.S. News Best Elementary Schools and Best Middle Schools award badges. Badge eligibility recognizes educational excellence. Public elementary and middle schools that earned U.S. News rankings in the top 30% in their state gained eligibility to display a U.S. News award “badge.” In addition, this school operates on a four-day school week. Awards and recognitions include:
- B rating as recognized by the Arizona Department of Education.
- Principal of the Year Semifinalist as acknowledged by the Maricopa County Superintendent’s office.
Estrella Foothills High School, 13033 S. Estrella Parkway, Goodyear
Estrella Foothills High School, home of the Wolves, provides students with the opportunity to take Advanced Placement® coursework and exams. The school provides a technology-rich learning environment and prepares students for their next steps after high school graduation and their choice of career pathways. Enrollment is 1,243 and the student-teacher ratio is 25:1.
The school is part of the Buckeye Union High School District – an “A” rated district as determined by the Arizona Department of Education. Awards and recognitions include:
- A+ School of Excellence Award from the Arizona Educational Foundation
- A+ Exemplary Program Award from the Arizona Educational Foundation
- Director’s Cup from the Arizona Interscholastic Association
- Don F. Stone Overall Excellence Award from the Arizona Interscholastic Association
- Tony Komadina Award for Outstanding Girls’ Athletic Program from the Arizona Interscholastic Association
Additional awards and accomplishments include:
- Estrella Foothills Senior Madison Pond scored her Career 1000th point this season at the 2023 December Wolves Classic. Madison is 1 of only 3 lady wolves that have accomplished this in school history.
- Miss Arizona Teen USA 2023 (June 5, 2023) – Peyton Stuewe
- Track/field – Angelee Bawek Division III State Championship win Javelin and 3rd for discus
- Girl’s Varsity Court Volleyball won State Championship
- Unified Sports won State Championship
- Girl’s Varsity Sand Volleyball State Runner Ups
- Boys Varsity Court Volleyball went to Semifinals for State
- Varsity Baseball Region Champions
- Varsity Girls Soccer were Region Champs in 2023
- All Region Coach of the Year – Wolves Baseball Coach McCubbins. Several players received other All Region recognition.
Preschools
Estrella Mountain Preschool, 10485 S. Estrella Parkway, Goodyear
Estrella Mountain Preschool is a non-denominational Christian preschool with structured, play-based programs for ages 3 – 5. Applications for the 2024-25 school year will be available starting February 1.
This preschool is on Winnie.com’s list of top best preschools in Goodyear, AZ. Winnie is a marketplace for childcare built on powerful data systems and backed by a trusted community of parents and providers.
Phoenix Children’s Academy Private Preschool, 17670 W. Elliot Road, Goodyear
Phoenix Children’s Academy Private Preschool in Estrella Mountain Ranch offers a warm and inviting preschool environment, with caring teachers and state-of-the-art technology lab. Programs for children 6 weeks to 1 year. Features Ascend Curriculum, which gives teachers the freedom to modify activities to fit the interests and current skill level of each student. Before and After School Care for ages 5-12 is available, as well as Summer Camp Programs.
MORE School options near Estrella
Las Brisas Academy, 18211 West Las Brisas Drive, Goodyear
Features opportunities for students in the areas of Visual/Performing Arts and Dual Language Immersion in both Spanish and English. Student population is 618 and student-teacher ratio is 20:1.
Liberty Elementary School, 19801 W. Fremont Drive, Buckeye
Liberty integrates core content standards with agriculture literacy to promote life-long nutrition, environmental sustainability, and agribusiness career exploration. Cultivates strong partnership with the agricultural community. Enrollment is 585 and student-teacher ratio is 22:1.
Arizona Agribusiness & Equine Center, 3400 N. Dysart Rd., Avondale
Arizona Agribusiness and Equine Center high schools have consistently scored above the national average. Offers high school curriculum and educational programs for high school students in grades 9 through 12, as well as concurrent transferable college courses, at locations on or adjacent to campuses of the local County Community College District. Thirty percent of the students attending AAEC schools graduate from high school with both a diploma and an associate degree, thereby acquiring two years of college credit at many four-year colleges. Enrollment is 454.
BASIS Goodyear, 15800 W. Sherman St., Goodyear
BASIS Goodyear is a tuition-free, open-enrollment public charter school that has a track record of placing graduates into top-tier colleges and universities. Basis Goodyear Primary students did better in math and better in reading compared with students across the state. Enrollment is 714.
Somerset Academy Skyway Campus, 14900 W. Van Buren St., Goodyear
Somerset Academy Skyway Campus is a charter school and a college preparatory school emphasizing cultivating effective, service-oriented leaders. The student population of Somerset Academy Skyway Campus is 166 and the school serves K-7.
Archway Classical Academy, 2001 N. Bullard Ave. Goodyear
Archway Classical Academy is part of the Valley-wide and interstate Great Hearts network of schools. It is a tuition-free, public charter school dedicated to offering elementary education grounded in the classical liberal arts tradition. The student population is 531 and the school serves K-12. The school has had 74% of students score at or above the proficient level for math, and 70% score at or above that level for reading, ranking it #25 in Arizona Elementary Schools.
Legacy Traditional, 12320 West Van Buren St., Avondale
Legacy is a tuition free K-6 public charter school with strong foundations in reading, writing, and mathematics. Legacy students are encouraged to participate in their communities through the arts, athletics, and innovative clubs and programs. Enrollment is 1,338. Reading and math scores are ranked “well above expectations” and the school is ranked #148 in Arizona Elementary Schools.
The Odyssey network of schools operates five campuses for a combined enrollment of 3,000 students. Offering a rigorous academic curriculum, Odyssey prioritizes individual learning and high academic standards.
West Mec is a public school offering career training programs in a wide variety of industries for both adult and high school students.
Nearby Colleges and Universities
Arizona State University, 975 S. Myrtle Avenue, Tempe
Estrella Mountain Community College, 3000 N. Dysart Road, Avondale
Grand Canyon University, 3300 W. Camelback Road, Phoenix
Rio Salado Community College, 2323 W. 14th Street, Tempe
We’re happy to provide so many quality choices as you choose a school for the upcoming year.
Find your new home at Estrella.com and discover why 8,000 families already call this diverse, welcoming West Valley master-planned community home. Located in Goodyear, Arizona amongst pristine mountains and a dramatic desert landscape, Estrella amenities include multiple Residents’ Clubs, resort-style pools and a waterpark, 72 acres of lakes, 65-plus miles of paths and trails, the Yacht Club of Estrella, the award-winning Nicklaus Design course at the Golf Club of Estrella, community welcome center, and more than 50 neighborhood parks.
