South Phoenix · Tuition-Free · Grades K–6
A tuition-free, whole-child Kindergarten program in South Phoenix.
No lottery. No district boundaries. No fees of any kind.
Paideia Academy’s Kindergarten program develops the whole child — body, mind, and spirit —through daily read-alouds, hands-on math, morning leadership assembly, and real campus experiences your child won’t find anywhere else.
Takes less than 10 minutes · No fee · Open to all Phoenix-area families
$0
Tuition
100% free — no fees of any kind
No
Lottery
Open Enrollment to all Phoenix families
Daily
Parent Updates
ClassDojo used schoolwide to keep parents informed daily
K-12
Full Pathway
K Students often stay through graduation
Paideia Academy’s Kindergarten program is a free, public charter school Kindergarten in South Phoenix serving children who are 5 years old by September 1st.
As part of Paideia’s K–6 Elementary campus, our Kindergarten class gives children a strong academic, social, and character foundation from the very first day of school.
We believe Kindergarten should develop the whole child — body, mind, and spirit.
At Paideia, that means combining strong academic instruction with character development, physical activity, creative exploration, and a warm community where every child is known by name — not a student ID number.
Many families who find Paideia for Kindergarten stay all the way through 12th grade.
The friendships, habits, and values their children build here follow them into adulthood. That’s what makes investing in the right Kindergarten so important — and why so many South Phoenix families choose Paideia.
There are many Kindergarten options in Phoenix. Here’s what sets Paideia apart from both traditional public schools and other charter schools in the area.
Reading out loud to children every day is one of the most powerful things an educator can do.
Research shows daily read-alouds build vocabulary up to 3x faster than conversation alone. At Paideia, every Kindergartener participates in structured daily read-alouds with a trained teacher who knows how to ask the right questions and connect stories to each child’s world. This is the foundation of reading — and it’s very difficult to replicate at home.
Math at Paideia is never just a worksheet. Kindergarteners explore numbers, patterns, and problem-solving through tactile, play-based activities that make math feel like an adventure. Children who learn math through hands-on activities in Kindergarten develop number sense — the deep, intuitive understanding of how numbers work that predicts math success all the way through high school.
Every morning, Paideia students gather for Leadership Assembly — where they practice the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, celebrate one another, and build the sense of belonging that makes school something children look forward to every morning. Leadership, empathy, and social skills are not taught in a lesson — they are practiced every day in a community of peers.
Paideia’s campus includes a garden and hands-on learning spaces that give Kindergarteners real experiences they simply won’t find in a traditional classroom. From caring for plants to exploring nature on campus, our students connect learning to the living world around them — building curiosity, responsibility, and a love of discovery.
At Paideia, we nurture the connection between body, mind, and spirit. Academic excellence and character development happen side by side, every single day. We believe who your child becomes matters as much as what they learn — and Kindergarten is where that journey begins.
Don’t take our word for it. Here’s what parents in our South Phoenix community share
about their children’s experience in Paideia’s Kindergarten program.
“My daughter absolutely loves going to school every day. She feels safe, supported,
and excited to learn. The teachers genuinely care about the students — not just
academically, but as whole individuals. One of the things I love most is their
emphasis on leadership and character development. The scholars learn and practice
the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. My daughter feels safe, supported, and
excited to learn. The campus itself is beautiful, with unique features like a
garden and chicken coop, which gives scholars hands-on experiences they wouldn’t
get in a traditional school setting. Paideia is more than just a school.
It’s a community that truly invests in its students.”
Parent / Guardian
Paideia Elementary · March 2026
“Es una escuela que apoya de acuerdo a las necesidades de cada niño. En mi caso
personal, mi niña no sabía inglés y la apoyaron mucho para que ella pudiera
aprender el idioma.”
“It’s a school that supports each child’s individual needs. In my personal case,
my daughter didn’t speak English and they helped her so much so she could learn
the language.”
Parent / Guardian
Paideia Academy · March 2026
30 minutes. See the classroom. Meet the teacher. Walk away knowing whether Paideia is the right Kindergarten for your child — no pressure, no commitment.
Yes — 100% free. Paideia Academy is a public charter school funded by the state of Arizona. There is no tuition, no enrollment fee, and no hidden costs of any kind for Kindergarten or any other grade. It costs nothing to apply and nothing to attend.
Your child must be 5 years old by September 1st of the school year they are enrolling for. If you are unsure whether your child meets the age requirement, contact us and we will help you figure it out.
Eligible students may have the opportunity to earn college credit while enrolled in high school through approved early college and dual enrollment programs. Participation depends on academic readiness and program availability.
No. Paideia Academy is a public charter school, which means there are no district boundaries. Any family in the Phoenix area can apply to our Kindergarten program regardless of where they live. You do not need to be in a specific school district or zip code.
Paideia Academy uses open enrollment on a first-come, first-served basis. We strongly encourage families to apply early — Kindergarten spots fill up quickly each year as the school year approaches.
Typically you will need: your child’s birth certificate (proof of age), immunization records, and proof of residency. Our enrollment team will confirm the full list of required documents after you submit your application or tour request.
Absolutely — we encourage it. Schedule a free 30-minute campus tour above and you will see the Kindergarten classroom, meet our teachers, and get every question answered before making any commitment. Most families who visit Paideia know within 30 minutes whether it is the right fit.
Paideia Academy is a public charter school — which means it is free, publicly funded, and open to all families, just like a traditional public school. The difference is that Paideia has the freedom to design its own curriculum and culture. Our Kindergarten program integrates the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, daily read-alouds, hands-on math, and real campus experiences like our school garden that you simply won’t find in a traditional school setting.
Yes. Paideia Academy is a full K–12 school. Many families who enroll in Kindergarten stay all the way through 12th grade — building friendships, habits, and a sense of community that lasts a lifetime. Enrolling in Kindergarten means your child has a place in the Paideia community for as long as you choose to stay.
Kindergarten Enrollment · South Phoenix · 2026–27
Free to attend. Open to all Phoenix families. Spots are limited for 2026–27 — apply early to secure your child’s place in our community.
7777 S 15th Terrace,
Phoenix, AZ 85042
Google Maps
Main Phone: (602) 343-3040
Admissions Extension: 3063
info@paideiamail.com
Tuition-Free K-12 Charter
Enrollment for the upcoming school year is now open.
Secure your child’s spot at Paideia today.
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