Education

Learning and training are top priorities in the Payson area. Payson has three public and three private elementary schools, a middle school, a charter school, a high school, and a new community college.

Voters recently approved the formation of a provisional college district, giving local control of the Gila County Community College. The electorate also approved the school district’s joining the Northern Arizona Vocational Institute of Technology (NAVIT) opening the door for enhanced vocational training.

Northern Arizona University, in partnership with Gila County Community College offers under graduate and graduate programs.

Pine/Strawberry has an elementary school. Middle and high school students attend school in Payson.

The Payson Unified School District

The Payson Unified School District's major operations include education, pupil transportation, construction and maintenance of District facilities, food services, bookstore and athletic functions. In addition, the governing body is financially accountable for the Payson Center for Success High School (Charter School).

Payson Unified School District has six schools: Julia Randall Elementary, Payson Elementary, Frontier Elementary, Rim Country Middle School, Payson High School and the Payson Center for Success Charter High School.

The Payson Unified School District No. 10 is one of eight public school districts in Gila County, Arizona. It provides a program of public education from preschool through grade twelve. The District encompasses an area of roughly 522 square miles, most of which is public land. In fact, individuals and businesses own 3.7 percent of the land in Gila County.

With the state emphasis on academic accountability and the shift away from bonding for school facilities the faculty, staff, students, administration and Governing Board are prepared for the challenges and opportunities of the 21^st century public education.

Report on School Performance

Learn more about the educational institutions in the Payson Region, by viewing the institution's official "Report Card" filed with the Arizona Department of Education. (Requires the Adobe Acrobat Reader, which you can also download and install for free.)

Gila County Community College

Nestled in the pines on the northeast corner of Highway 260 and Mud Springs Road, GCCC’s 56-acre Rim Country Campus offers an idyllic educational environment. The College is eager to work with individual businesses and tailor customized specific training and educational program to meet their needs.

The community college includes four buildings with a total of 20,000 square feet, providing Payson area learners with a variety of classes to enhance educational and personal growth. GCCC offers many associate degrees including areas such as anthropology, education, business and computer information specialist.  There are also certificate programs such as bookkeeping, medical assistant, office assistant, and small business proprietor.

The campus has a comprehensive science lab, two computer labs, a wellness center, an art lab, six classrooms and a learning resource center. It is also has the capability to utilize distance learning through interactive television.

The campus houses various community events and forums. The school's community room seats up to 120 people. Students establish lasting relationships with faculty, staff and fellow students - and the school's low student-to-faculty ratio provides students with personal attention that leads to true understanding and success. Learn more by visiting the campus online at www.gilaccc.org.

Northern Arizona University

Located on the GCCC Rim Country Campus, this satellite branch of NAU offers bachelor degrees in a number of fields.