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Average

#1244 of 2,006 schools in AZ

Cortez High School

High School · Glendale Union High School District (4285)

8828 N 31ST AVE, Phoenix, AZ 85051

Enrollment

1,105

Student-Teacher

22.1:1

Score

5.7

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Arizona schools

#1,244 of 2,006

In Phoenix

#229 of 422

public schools

In district

#9 of 11

Glendale Union High School District (4285)

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Cortez High School

5.7/10

High School in Phoenix · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

West-mec - Cortez High School

Nearby

0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Alta Vista Elementary School

3.7/10

0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Cortez High School

Cortez High School is a public high school in Phoenix, AZ, part of Glendale Union High School District (4285). Cortez High School serves approximately 1,105 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 22.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Cortez High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.7 out of 10 and ranks #1,244 of 2,006 schools in AZ.

Structured state assessment records for Cortez High School show 43% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 49% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares0.8 pts below district
  • This school 5.7 · Average
  • District avg 6.5
  • AZ avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

Cortez High School runs 22.1:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.

48% of students at Cortez High School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress4.8Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-3.72 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics6.9Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency30% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency37% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency34% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)34% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-0.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile54th
College Readiness6.4Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate80%
AP Participation10.7%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment4.3Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio22.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,875
Chronic Absenteeism47.7%

Cortez High School — Students at Cortez High School score 34% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 34%).

How we calculate scores →

Test Scores AZ EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 43.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 49.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 28 test records from AZ state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
58%
ELA
73%
2010
Math
62%
ELA
72%
2011
Math
57%
ELA
75%
2012
Math
73%
ELA
85%
2013
Math
69%
ELA
85%
2014
Math
30%
ELA
35%
2015
Math
27%
ELA
32%
2016
Math
41%
ELA
38%
2017
Math
42%
ELA
42%
2018
Math
47%
ELA
42%
2019
Math
47%
ELA
42%
2020*
Math
10%
ELA
17%
2021*
Math
10%
ELA
17%
2022
Math
30%
ELA
37%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 4.8/10.

How Cortez High School Compares

See how Cortez High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.7/10
38th percentile in AZ
Academic
6.9/10
Average
Growth
4.8/10
Below Average
Environment
4.3/10
Below Average
AP Courses
3
State avg: 2.8
Sports
20
10 boys' · 10 girls'
Advanced STEM
4/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Teaching Staff
22:1 student-teacher ratio
50 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
47.7%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs3 AP courses offered
10.7% participation·State avg: 2.8 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics20sports offered
10 boys'·10 girls'·24 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses4 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

8828 N 31ST AVE, Phoenix, AZ 85051

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Cortez High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Intelli-School - Metro Center (rated 5.7/10, 1.0 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, ThrivePoint High School at Metro (rated 4.5/10, 0.6 miles away, in nearby Glendale), a more accessible option. For more schools in Phoenix, see our Phoenix schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.7 mi
School Distance Rating
West-MEC - Cortez High School Phoenix 0.1 mi
Alta Vista Elementary School Phoenix 0.1 mi 3.7
Imagine Cortez Park Elementary Phoenix 0.5 mi 4.9
Imagine Cortez Park Middle Phoenix 0.5 mi 4.6
ThrivePoint High School at Metro Glendale 0.6 mi 4.5
CASA Academy Phoenix 0.9 mi 6.7
ACCEL Phoenix 1.0 mi 7.1
Intelli-School - Metro Center Phoenix 1.0 mi 5.7
Washington Elementary School Phoenix 1.0 mi 3.8
Sage Academy Phoenix 1.1 mi 4.4
Manzanita Elementary School Phoenix 1.1 mi 6.1
Cactus Wren Elementary School Phoenix 1.1 mi 4.0
ST JEROME ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Phoenix 1.3 mi 6.2
Abraham Lincoln Traditional School Phoenix 1.4 mi 8.2
Lakeview Elementary School Phoenix 1.6 mi 7.4
IntelliSchool Online Phoenix 1.4 mi
SC Jensen Online Phoenix 1.4 mi
PAS Charter Online Phoenix 1.4 mi
Roadrunner Elementary School Phoenix 1.5 mi 5.6
Cholla Middle School Phoenix 1.7 mi 6.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 85051 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$63,665

Median Home Value

$288,300

Median Rent

$1,256/mo

Population

45,484

College Educated

19.8%

Homeownership

54.6%

Avg Commute

27.6 min

Poverty Rate

17.6%

Median Age

34.8

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Coronado High School Scottsdale, AZ 5.7
Rio Rico High School Rio Rico, AZ 5.7
Tuba City High School Tuba City, AZ 5.7
Monument Valley High School Kayenta, AZ 5.8
Rincon High School Tucson, AZ 5.8
Winslow High School Winslow, AZ 5.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Cortez High School

What grades does Cortez High School serve?

Cortez High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Cortez High School?

Cortez High School has an enrollment of approximately 1,105 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Cortez High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Cortez High School is 22.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Cortez High School rank in AZ?

Cortez High School ranks #1,244 of 2,006 schools in AZ.

What is Cortez High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Cortez High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.7 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Cortez High School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Cortez High School has 43% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 49% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Cortez High School a charter school?

No, Cortez High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Cortez High School a Title I school?

No, Cortez High School is not currently a Title I school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
47 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
44 Some Transit
Bike Score
66 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,105
Student-Teacher Ratio
22.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
50
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Maricopa County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
47.7%
4-Year Graduation
80.0%

District

Glendale Union High School District (4285)
District Enrollment
16,407
Schools in District
11
Per-Pupil Spending
$10,875
District Rank
#9 of 11

How we rate schools

A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.

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