Approximately 34 miles from Downtown Phoenix lies the unincorporated master-planned community called Anthem. The community has earned numerous awards including the “Best Master Planned Community” award in 2001 and “Best Master Planned Community for Children” award in 2016 along with a spot on Phoenix Magazine’s “Hot Neighborhoods 2017”. Wallet Hub also ranked Anthem in sixth place on its list of 2017’s Best Places to Raise a Family in Arizona. Thanks to its award-winning status, Anthem has gained popularity among homebuyers looking for a family-friendly community in Maricopa County. 

The friendly, small-town vibe and tree-lined streets combined with plentiful parks and quality schools are just a few of the reasons why Anthem is a noteworthy family-friendly development. 

Education

Gavilan Peak Elementary School / Courtesy of Deer Valley Unified School District

Anthem is part of the Deer Valley Unified School District, which has one of the highest graduation and attendance rates in the area. A total of 16 schools ranging from kindergarten to high school are within Anthem proper, including several charter and private schools. Residents living within Anthem have easy access to schools such as Galivan Peak Elementary School near the Sundance neighborhood, Diamond Canyon Elementary School near the Horizon neighborhood, and Boulder Creek High School near Anthem Parkside and Serenity Villas at Anthem Condominiums. With so many schools close by, residents can seamlessly do drop-offs and pick-ups as well as attend school functions, sporting events, and afterschool activities. 

Community Events

Anthem Days Carnival / Courtesy of Anthem Community Council

Nothing says family-friendly more than shared community events. There are multiple times throughout the year when the community gathers to celebrate special occasions or host fun social functions. The community hosts four annual special events planned by the Anthem City Council, which signifies the development’s commitment to bringing all residents together. 

Anthem Days, is a two-day event held in March at Community Park, next to the Sierra neighborhood, which features a business expo, craft and food vendors, egg hunts, carnival games, and live entertainment. Music in May held every Friday night in May at Community Park Amphitheater provides diverse sounds of local Arizona bands underneath the Anthem sky, while families have picnic dinners atop blankets. Autumnfest is held during the month of October and celebrates the season with fall-flavored festivities including arts & crafts vendors, carnival rides, pumpkin picking, and live entertainment. The Independence Day Celebration is held on July 3 and features traditional fireworks, food vendors, dancing, and waterslides.

Parks

Anthem features a 63 acre park that includes various sports fields and other amenities.

Your children will never complain about not spending enough time outside thanks to the three main parks within Athem. Community Park is a 63-acre park with sports fields, a skate park, a splash pad, a hockey rink, pickleball courts, playgrounds, and catch-and-release fishing lakes. Liberty Bell Park features a splash pad, sports fields, walking trails, picnic areas, and a playground. Opportunity Way Park, near the North Gateway and Anthem West neighborhoods, features 10-acres of park space that includes walking trails, two playgrounds, a half-court for basketball, and multi-use sports fields. 

There are also more than 30 neighborhood parks throughout Anthem that are maintained by the homeowners’ association. These parks offer everything from playgrounds and open green spaces to ramadas and sports courts. For a full list of neighborhood parks click here.

Unique Kid-Approved Amenities

Splash Pad for kids in Anthem, AZ

Anthem offers several unique amenities children can get a kick out of like fishing, roller hockey, and train riding. Anthem Community Park has a catch-and-release fishing pond right in the center of the community. The lake is stocked every two weeks with plenty of trout, bass, and catfish as part of the Arizona Game & Fish Urban Fishing Program. This program allows a family-friendly fishing adventure with no fishing license required.

How many kids can say they have a real train in their backyard? The Daisy Mountain Railroad is a 24-inch gauge railroad with 2,800 feet of track in a modified dogbone design with a loop on each end. The train travels through a tunnel under a faux rock outcropping, several waterfalls, lush green landscaping, and winds through the park before slowing to a stop at the loading platform. A hit with both small and big kids, the train transforms into the Candy Cane Express during the Winter and Holiday hours.

At the community’s roller hockey rink, hockey fans have plenty of room to knock elbows as they go for a goal. Currently, the Anthem AZ Roller Hockey Group hosts games and encourages players who are looking to expand or improve their hockey skills.

Safety

Photo by TDmalone / CC BY-SA

Anthem takes pride in their low crime rate and the fact that they were designated a "Firewise Community" by the National Firewise Communities/USA, where they take measures to eliminate fire hazards and educate the community about how they can help. 

Another one of Anthem’s community-centric mottos is “neighbors helping neighbors,” through their Anthem Neighborhood Watch. This program is dedicated to communication, volunteering at local events, and helping neighbors in need, so much so that every October, Anthem residents celebrate “Getting Arizona Involved in Neighborhoods,” where neighborhoods gather to promote safety and communication.