The brief
The top-rated high schools in Tucson for 2026 are University High School (8.3/10), Tanque Verde High School (8.0/10), and Empire High School (7.7/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of 56 high schools with real test data included in this ranking. Schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
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.
Ranked by composite score; the tick is the score on the 1–10 axis.
- 18.3
- 28.0
- 37.7
- 47.6
- 57.6
- 67.3
- 77.2
- 86.7
- 96.6
- 106.6
All 56 ranked
Every ranked school on the axis, then the ledger.Top 25 of 56
Rating · students · student-teacher ratio · grades- 1University High SchoolTucson Unified District (4403)students 1,001student-teacher ratio 23.3:1grades 8th–12th
- 2Tanque Verde High SchoolTanque Verde Unified District (4408)students 730student-teacher ratio 17.4:1grades 9th–12th
- 3Empire High SchoolVail Unified District (4413)students 888student-teacher ratio 20.7:1grades 9th–12th
- 4Catalina Foothills High SchoolCatalina Foothills Unified District (4410)students 1,868student-teacher ratio 20.3:1grades 9th–12th
- 5Mica Mountain HighVail Unified District (4413)students 1,306grades 9th–12th
- 6Basis Tucson NorthcharterBasis Charter Schools Inc. (91309)students 751grades 5th–12th
- 7Innovation Tech High SchoolTucson Unified District (4403)students 289student-teacher ratio 19.3:1grades 9th–12th
- 8Sabino High SchoolTucson Unified District (4403)students 863student-teacher ratio 20.1:1grades 7th–12th
- 9Pima Vocational High SchoolcharterPima County (4420)students 61grades 9th–12th
- 10Academy of Tucson High SchoolcharterAcademy of Tucson Inc. (78897)students 151grades 9th–12th
- 11Mountain View High SchoolMarana Unified District (4404)students 1,876student-teacher ratio 20.2:1grades 9th–12th
- 12Flowing Wells High SchoolFlowing Wells Unified District (4405)students 1,708student-teacher ratio 21.1:1grades 9th–12th
- 13Sonoran Science Academy - Davis MonthancharterDaisy Education Corporation Dba. Sonoran Science A (90284)students 223grades 6th–12th
- 14Tucson Preparatory SchoolcharterTucson Preparatory School (6374)students 86grades 9th–12th
- 15Canyon Rose Academy-EastcharterCanyon Rose Academy Inc. (81029)students 42grades 9th–12th
- 16Palo Verde High Magnet SchoolTucson Unified District (4403)students 676student-teacher ratio 11.7:1grades 8th–12th
- 17Tucson Magnet High SchoolTucson Unified District (4403)students 3,039student-teacher ratio 17.8:1grades 8th–12th
- 18Envision High SchoolcharterCplc Community Schools Dba Hiaki High School (90331)students 75grades 9th–12th
- 19Sky IslandscharterBlue Adobe Project (89871)students 81grades 9th–12th
- 20Santa Rita High SchoolTucson Unified District (4403)students 333student-teacher ratio 12.8:1grades 8th–12th
- 21Vail Blended LearningVail Unified District (4413)students 71student-teacher ratio 71.0:1grades 6th–12th
- 22Alternative Computerized Education (ace) Charter High SchoolcharterTucson Youth Development/ace Charter High School (4422)students 498grades 9th–12th
- 23Sahuaro High SchoolTucson Unified District (4403)students 1,386student-teacher ratio 19.2:1grades 8th–12th
- 24City High SchoolcharterCity Center For Collaborative Learning (85448)students 177grades 9th–12th
- 25Rincon High SchoolTucson Unified District (4403)students 1,217student-teacher ratio 18.2:1grades 8th–12th
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.
The map
The top 25 pinned; open a pin for the campus.Campus by campus
What each of the top ten reports.- 1
University High School
Tucson Unified District (4403)
1,001 students · 23.3:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 8th–12th
Top 10% in Arizona
- Academics
- 10.0
- Growth
- 6.9
- Environment
- 6.2
- 2
Tanque Verde High School
Tanque Verde Unified District (4408)
730 students · 17.4:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 9th–12th
Top 16% in Arizona
- Academics
- 9.4
- Growth
- 5.2
- Environment
- 7.7
- 3
Empire High School
Vail Unified District (4413)
888 students · 20.7:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 9th–12th
Top 22% in Arizona
- Academics
- 9.6
- Growth
- 6.0
- Environment
- 5.7
- 4
Catalina Foothills High School
Catalina Foothills Unified District (4410)
1,868 students · 20.3:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 9th–12th
Top 23% in Arizona
- Academics
- 9.8
- Growth
- 5.6
- Environment
- 6.7
- 5
- Academics
- 8.6
- Growth
- 9.0
- Environment
- 5.2
- 6
Basis Tucson North
Basis Charter Schools Inc. (91309)
751 students · grades 5th–12th
Top 30% in Arizona · charter
- Academics
- 9.7
- Growth
- 3.6
- Environment
- 6.1
- 7
Innovation Tech High School
Tucson Unified District (4403)
289 students · 19.3:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 9th–12th
Top 33% in Arizona
- Academics
- 8.4
- Growth
- 10.0
- Environment
- 6.0
- 8
Sabino High School
Tucson Unified District (4403)
863 students · 20.1:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 7th–12th
Top 44% in Arizona
- Academics
- 8.2
- Growth
- 3.5
- Environment
- 6.0
- 9
Pima Vocational High School
Pima County (4420)
61 students · grades 9th–12th
Top 45% in Arizona · charter
- Academics
- 5.6
- Growth
- 6.5
- Environment
- 10.0
- 10
Academy of Tucson High School
Academy of Tucson Inc. (78897)
151 students · grades 9th–12th
Top 45% in Arizona · charter
- Academics
- 9.1
- Growth
- 4.7
- Environment
- 3.5
Questions
What is the best high school in Tucson, Arizona?
According to MySchoolScout's 2026 rankings, University High School is the top-rated high school in Tucson with a composite score of 8.3/10. The score blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic performance, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools — with equity shown as context, not scored.
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?
Among 63 Tucson high schools with a composite score, the average is 5.4/10. Scores range from 1.0 (bottom of the state) to 10.0 (top 1% in Arizona).
How does MySchoolScout rate high schools?
Schools with enough data receive a 1-10 composite score that blends Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, with growth counting most in elementary and middle grades. Equity data is shown for context but not scored. 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?
Tucson has 32 charter high schools in its directory. Charter schools that meet this ranking's data requirements are included alongside traditional public schools using the same composite scoring methodology.
How should I use this ranking?
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.
Explore more
- Best elementary schools in Tucson2026 rankings and ratings
- Best middle schools in Tucson2026 rankings and ratings
- All 340 schools in TucsonElementary, middle and high
- Arizona schoolsStatewide rankings and city comparisons
- Our methodologyHow we calculate school ratings