- Butterfield Elementary School — Grades PK–5 · 920 students
- Pima Butte Elementary School — Grades PK–5 · 407 students
- Santa Rosa Preschool — Grades PK–PK
- Saddleback Preschool — Grades PK–PK
- Maricopa Wells Middle School — Grades 6–8 · 940 students
- Desert Wind Middle School — Grades 6–8 · 898 students
- Desert Sunrise High School — Grades 9–12 · 1,261 students
- Maricopa High School — Grades 6–12 · 1,840 students
- Santa Cruz Elementary School — Grades PK–6 · 941 students
- Maricopa Elementary School — Grades PK–6 · 883 students
- Saddleback Elementary School — Grades PK–6 · 811 students
- Santa Rosa Elementary School — Grades PK–6 · 527 students
- Maricopa Virtual Academy — Grades K–12 · 140 students
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| Metric | Maricopa Unified School District | National Average | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Enrollment | 8,731 | 3,700 | ↑ Larger than avg |
| Number of Schools | 13 | 6 | Varies by district |
| Per-Pupil Spending | $10,800/yr (est.) | $13,700/yr | State avg est. |
| District Type | Public School District | Public District | — |
| Overall Rating | 4/10 — Below Average | — | Below average |
| District | Rating | Percentile | Students |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maricopa Unified School District (this district) | 4/10 | 35th | 8,731 |
| Ray Unified District | 2/10 | 12th | 373 |
| Casa Grande Union High School District | 3/10 | 28th | — |
| J. O. Combs Unified School District | 4/10 | 39th | 4,401 |
🔢 Show the math behind this rating
Ranked against 492 rated districts in AZ → 35th percentile → 4/10.
Source: Arizona Dept. of Education AASA/ACT/MSAA combined assessments, Percent Passing, 2025. Full methodology →
About Maricopa Unified School District
Families in zip code 85138 (Maricopa, Arizona) are assigned to Maricopa Unified 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.
Understanding the 4/10 Rating
SchoolDistrictFinder rates Maricopa Unified School District 4 out of 10 — below average 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.
Maricopa Unified School District carries a below-average rating, with reading and math proficiency rates below typical Arizona benchmarks on state assessments. A below-average score reflects test performance relative to other districts — not necessarily teaching quality or school culture, and some of these districts have schools with strong communities and dedicated staff. Families should research specific school quality, visit in person, and ask about available programs. Also ask about open enrollment and magnet options that may offer alternatives to the default attendance-zone assignment.
Enrollment for Families in Zip Code 85138
Children in zip code 85138 are assigned to Maricopa Unified School District for public school enrollment, covering grades Kindergarten – 12th. School assignments are address-specific — your elementary, middle, and high school placements depend on your exact street address within zip code 85138, 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 Maricopa Unified School District at (520)568-5100 or visit www.musd20.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 Maricopa
Research consistently shows that district assignment affects residential property values. Because Maricopa Unified School District serves zip code 85138, district assignment still factors into home-pricing comparisons between zip code 85138 and neighboring areas. 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 Maricopa Unified 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 85138.
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 Maricopa Unified School District before making any housing or enrollment decision based on zip code 85138 data.