Best High Schools
in Tucson, Arizona
We ranked all 87 high schools in Tucson. The top 25 scored between 6.5 and 8.6 out of 10.
Updated for 2026 · Based on NCES and Arizona education data
Tucson's high school landscape spans 56 ranked schools, giving families a wide range of options across the metro. Quality varies considerably — the average composite score sits at 6.2/10, but 14 schools clear the 7/10 threshold, signaling a meaningful tier of strong performers worth a closer look. At the top, Tanque Verde High School and University High School both earn 8.6/10, the highest scores in the city. Mountain View, Pima Vocational, and Catalina Foothills round out the leading five, each scoring 8.0 or above. The table below lets you sort by academic performance, school type, size, and more — whether you're prioritizing test scores, vocational pathways, or something else entirely. Use the filters to narrow the field and find the schools that align with what matters most for your student.
Tanque Verde High School
University High School
Mountain View High School
Score Distribution
Where the top 25 schools fall on a 1-10 scale
How We Ranked Tucson's High Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four components: Academic Achievement (50%) measures standardized test performance in math and reading. Student Growth (20%) tracks improvement over time. Equity (15%) evaluates how well a school serves all student groups. Environment (15%) considers class size, spending, and attendance. All scores are computed within Arizona so schools are compared to peers in the same state. See our full methodology.
All 25 Rankings
| # | School | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tanque Verde High School Tanque Verde Unified District (4408) | 8.6 |
| 2 | University High School Tucson Unified District (4403) | 8.6 |
| 3 | Mountain View High School Marana Unified District (4404) | 8.2 |
| 4 | Pima Vocational High School Charter Pima County (4420) | 8.0 |
| 5 | Catalina Foothills High School Catalina Foothills Unified District (4410) | 8.0 |
| 6 | THE GREGORY SCHOOL | 7.6 |
| 7 | Sabino High School Tucson Unified District (4403) | 7.3 |
| 8 | Cholla High School Tucson Unified District (4403) | 7.3 |
| 9 | Empire High School Vail Unified District (4413) | 7.3 |
| 10 | FAITH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY | 7.3 |
| 11 | BASIS Tucson North Charter BASIS Charter Schools Inc. (91309) | 7.2 |
| 12 | Vail Blended Learning Vail Unified District (4413) | 7.2 |
| 13 | ST AUGUSTINE CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL | 7.2 |
| 14 | IMMACULATE HEART HIGH SCHOOL | 7.2 |
| 15 | EDGE High School - Northwest Charter Edge School Inc. The (4421) | 7.1 |
| 16 | Tucson Preparatory School Charter Tucson Preparatory School (6374) | 7.1 |
| 17 | Palo Verde High Magnet School Tucson Unified District (4403) | 7.1 |
| 18 | PPEP TEC - Colin L. Powell Learning Center Charter Portable Practical Educational Preparation Inc. ( (4431) | 7.0 |
| 19 | Canyon Rose Academy-East Charter Canyon Rose Academy Inc. (81029) | 6.9 |
| 20 | Academy of Tucson High School Charter Academy of Tucson Inc. (78897) | 6.8 |
| 21 | Youth Works Charter High School Charter Tucson Youth Development/ACE Charter High School (4422) | 6.7 |
| 22 | Sentinel Peak High School Flowing Wells Unified District (4405) | 6.7 |
| 23 | Pima County Schools Superintendent's Diploma Program Pima County Accommodation School District (4401) | 6.6 |
| 24 | Alternative Computerized Education (ACE) Charter High School Charter Tucson Youth Development/ACE Charter High School (4422) | 6.5 |
| 25 | Ha:san Preparatory & Leadership School Charter Ha:san Educational Services (6369) | 6.5 |
Scores are based on 2024-25 data from the NCES Common Core of Data and Arizona education department. Rankings are relative to all public high schools in Arizona. Learn about our methodology.
Map: Top 25 High Schools in Tucson
Pins are color-coded by score: green (7+), yellow (4-6.9), red (below 4). Click a pin for details.
School Spotlights: Tucson's Top 10 High Schools
Choosing the Right High School in Tucson
Rankings identify schools with the strongest measurable outcomes, but the right school for your family depends on more than a number. Tucson's high school landscape is one of the most diverse in Arizona, with 87 schools spanning 67 school districts, plus 32 charter schools offering alternative approaches.
Consider your child's learning style. Some children thrive in smaller settings (look for student-teacher ratios under 14:1), while others do well in larger, more social environments. The schools on this list range widely in size and approach.
Look beyond the composite score. A school ranked #15 might be the best fit if it excels in growth (improving student outcomes year over year) even if its raw academic score is lower. Click into individual school profiles to see the breakdown.
Visit your top choices. Walk the hallways during a school day. Watch how teachers interact with students. Ask about before- and after-school care, transportation, and parent involvement. These details matter more than any dataset.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best high school in Tucson, Arizona?
According to MySchoolScout's 2026 rankings, Tanque Verde High School is the top-rated high school in Tucson with a composite score of 8.6/10. The score is based on academic performance, student growth, equity, and school environment.
How many high schools are in Tucson, Arizona?
Tucson has 87 high schools, including 32 charter schools. Of these, 63 have enough data for a full composite rating on MySchoolScout.
What is the average high school rating in Tucson?
The average composite score for Tucson high schools is 6.2/10. Scores range from 1.0 (bottom of the state) to 10.0 (top 1% in Arizona).
How does MySchoolScout rate high schools?
Each school receives a 1-10 composite score based on four components: Academic Achievement (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and School Environment (15%). All scores are computed within Arizona, so schools are compared to peers in the same state. Data comes from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments.
What is a good school rating on MySchoolScout?
A score of 7 or above means a school is in roughly the top 30% of its state. A 5 is average. Anything above 8 is exceptional. Our ratings are relative to other schools in Arizona, not a national comparison, because each state has different testing standards.
Are charter schools included in the Tucson high school rankings?
Yes. Tucson has 32 charter high schools, and they are ranked alongside traditional public schools using the same composite scoring methodology.