Serving 440 students in grades 6-12, Tempe Preparatory Academy ranks in the top 10% of all schools in Arizona for overall test scores (math proficiency is top 20%, and reading proficiency is top 20%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 57% (which is higher than the Arizona state average of 35%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 70% (which is higher than the Arizona state average of 40%).
Minority enrollment is 48% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is lower than the Arizona state average of 66% (majority Hispanic).
Tempe Preparatory Academy ranks within the top 10% of all 1,956 schools in Arizona (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Tempe Preparatory Academy is 0.64, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.66. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Tempe Preparatory Academy is a charter school in Tempe, a suburb of
Phoenix, AZ. Founded in 1996, Tempe Preparatory Academy (also known
as Tempe Prep or TPA) was one of the first public schools in
Arizona to offer a "Great Books" curriculum centered around Western
culture, history, language, and literature. Its motto is Verum,
Pulchrum, Bonum, meaning Truth, Beauty, Goodness, the individual
ideals that the school upholds. It is also a "sister school" to the
network of Great Hearts Preparatory Academies, of which there are
two other schools: Veritas Preparatory Academy and the
recently-opened Chandler Preparatory Academy. Mesa Preparatory
Academy will open for the 2007-8 academic year in the vicinity of
University and Power Roads.
School Philosophy: As a charter school, Tempe Prep offers a
"Great Books" education centering around fundamental texts in the
Western pantheon. Tempe Prep's philosophy includes small class size
(no classroom has more than 20 students) and education using the
well-known Socratic method. By using this method of teaching, the
school's faculty hope to encourage students to think for themselves
and to assist their classmates in learning.
Admission: As a public school in the state of Arizona, Tempe
Preparatory Academy has no entrance requirements. Interested
families must apply for the school's annual admissions lottery,
which takes place in the spring of each school year. However,
admission to Tempe Prep in later grades does not necessarily
require a lottery due to smaller class size and attrition. Brothers
and sisters of current Tempe Prep students are guaranteed admission
to the school, as are children of faculty, board and staff members.
Since it is a public school, students at TPA attend free of charge,
other than returnable book deposit fees, class standing fees and
graduation fees (but families are zealously encouraged to donate to
the school).
Awards: According to the Arizona State Board for Charter
Schools 2002 Parent Satisfaction Survey, Tempe Preparatory Academy
ranked #1 in its category, with 146 responses averaging 4.05 on a
4.0 grade scale (A+ to F). Over all categories of schools
(elementary, middle, high), TPA ranked 9th in the state.
The state of Arizona has repeatedly rewarded Tempe Prep with an
"excelling" label, an honor it shares with a very small number of
schools (lawl, we look good b3cause we stack up against schoolz
pwnt by the general populace and insufficent funding).
Coursework: Tempe Preparatory Academy offers few choices in
its academic curriculum. 9-12th grade students may choose to study
Latin, Greek, French, Spanish, or German. The rest of the
curriculum is fixed. Students at Tempe Prep exceed all requirements
for students graduating from the state of Arizona.
Athletics: In addition to being heralded for excellent
academics, Tempe Prep is home to a thriving athletics program.
Tempe Prep competes in the AIA (Arizona Interscholastic
Association) in the 1A Conference's West Region. As of summer 2006,
Tempe Prep is the two-time defending state champion in girls' high
school track and field. In girls' high school soccer, Tempe Prep is
a two time state finalist in winter play, and is the only 1A school
competing against larger schools in 2A and 3A opposition. In
addition, Tempe Prep is well known for its competitive cross
country and basketball programs. Its 2005-2006 high school girls
basketball team won its regional tournament. Tempe Prep also
features a competitive 8-man tackle football team that shares home
fields with Chandler Valley Christian and Phoenix Arizona Lutheran.
In the AIA, Tempe Prep also competes in Speech and Debate, where
they are the reigning Arizona state champions.
Tempe Preparatory Academy offers the following athletic teams:
Junior High Boys - Basketball, Cross Country, Flag Football,
Soccer, Track and Field.
Junior High Girls - Basketball, Cross Country, Volleyball, Soccer,
Track and Field.
High School Boys - Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Football,
Soccer, Track and Field.
High School Girls - Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Soccer,
Track and Field, Volleyball.
Senior Thesis and Defense: Senior students at Tempe
Preparatory Academy must complete a written thesis and defense
before receiving a diploma from the school. Students are required
to write a fifteen page thesis on a topic of their interest, using
literature they have read during their years at the academy. They
are advised by a faculty member of their choice. Then, after their
thesis draft is approved, they must appear before a defense
committee. All students, teachers and family members are welcome to
come to the open defense. The academy hopes that the thesis process
is rewarding, and its defense process is designed to question the
student about their newfound knowledge and to praise them for their
work.
Senior Trip: On an annual basis during the school's spring
break, senior students join faculty members on a trip to Washington
D.C. The trip regularly lasts several days and sometimes includes
visits to Philadelphia and historic sites in Virginia.
Dress Code: A strict dress code is enforced for all
students, as the school desires that its learners maintain a
"professional appearance" and avoid distraction. Male students wear
khaki slacks, white or blue shirts, dark socks and dress shoes,
while female students have their choice of plaid skirt or blue
dress slacks, white or blue shirts, and appropriate socks. Students
must maintain conservative standards in terms of hair and jewelry.
The school's faculty likewise dresses in a professional manner.
Tempe Preparatory Academy is ranked #178 out of 1,956 schools, which ranks it among the top 10% of public schools in Arizona.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
57% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 35% AZ state average), while 70% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 40% AZ state average).
What is the graduation rate of Tempe Preparatory Academy?
The graduation rate of Tempe Preparatory Academy is 90%, which is higher than the Arizona state average of 77%.
How many students attend Tempe Preparatory Academy?
440 students attend Tempe Preparatory Academy.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
52% of Tempe Preparatory Academy students are White, 28% of students are Hispanic, 9% of students are Two or more races, 7% of students are Asian, 3% of students are Black, and 1% of students are American Indian.
What grades does Tempe Preparatory Academy offer ?
Tempe Preparatory Academy offers enrollment in grades 6-12
What school district is Tempe Preparatory Academy part of?
Love the rigorous liberal arts education at Tempe Prep! It's a true gem in Tempe. The teachers and the curriculum is top notch. My 4 children have been challenged and thrived in this curriculum based on the great books of Western civilization taught in Socratic-style seminars. The students read original documents, learn to think critically, and discuss and listen respectfully. I love the depth of the conversations they have with their friends and that we have at the family dinner table. They have each been able to explore their different interests with the robust extracurricular activities-from playing three sports a year (something they could never do in a large high school) to playing in the orchestra and choir and being All State Musicians to competing in Soeech and Debate. They love playing with their teams and fun school activities with friends. The students go on to a huge variety of colleges and universities across the nation (and even internationally) with exceptional scholarships! Sending our children to Tempe Prep-and becoming involved in the school community ourselves-is one of the best decisions are family has made!
- Posted by Parent - Tempe parent
510/26/2016
Great fit for my student. Her growth is amazing.
- Posted by Parent - Donna
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Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), AZ Dept. of Education
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