Phoenix district planning to terminate lease with ASU Prep school


The Phoenix Elementary School District is notifying ASU Prep that it wants to end their lease agreement for the downtown Phoenix campus.

PHOENIX — The Phoenix Elementary School District Governing Board voted to not renew a lease with ASU Preparatory Academy that allows the charter school to operate its downtown Phoenix campus.

During a special meeting Thursday, the school board voted 2-0 to end the lease with one member abstaining and another not being present. The lease is scheduled to end in June 2026.

A spokesperson for the district said ASU Prep’s current lease has been “under market value” for several years. ASU Prep apparently offered to buy the property but the two parties have “not reached a mutually beneficial agreement.”

“We must focus on providing the most effective use of our district’s resources, including property and facilities, in service of our students,” the Phoenix Elementary spokesperson said.

Up to 1,200 students at the ASU Prep campus may be affected by the lease decision.

During Thursday’s meeting, the school board received several comments from members of the community who urged the board not to terminate the lease. 

“I don’t want to lose my school,” an ASU Prep student wrote in a statement to the school board.

State Rep. Matt Gress, R-District 4, has already penned a letter to the school board asking its members to reconsider ending the lease with ASU Prep.

The school district’s spokesperson noted that ASU Prep will have up to 17 months to plan for the future of its Phoenix campus.

“This decision is not based on finances—it is rooted in our responsibility to prioritize the best interests of our own 5,000 students, their families, and the taxpayers of Phoenix #1,” the spokesperson added.

RELATED: Valley school board votes to close 5 schools

RELATED: West Valley school overcrowding nears breaking point as bond fails

Watch 12News for free

You can now watch 12News content anytime, anywhere thanks to the 12+ app!

The free 12+ app from 12News lets users stream live events — including daily newscasts like “Today in AZ” and “12 News” and our daily lifestyle program, “Arizona Midday”—on Roku, Apple TV and Amazon Fire TV.

12+  showcases live video throughout the day for breaking news, local news, weather and even an occasional moment of Zen showcasing breathtaking sights from across Arizona.

Users can also watch on-demand videos of top stories, local politics, I-Team investigations, Arizona-specific features and vintage videos from the 12News archives.

Roku: Add the channel from the Roku store or by searching for “12 News KPNX.”

Amazon Fire TV: Search for “12 News KPNX” to find the free 12+ app to add to your account, or have the 12+ app delivered directly to your Amazon Fire TV through Amazon.com or the Amazon app.

Up to Speed

Catch up on the latest news and stories on the 12News YouTube channel. Subscribe today.

See the full Housing Inventory article, or, read more Arizona real estate investing news. Up to you! Either way, you’re on your game!