Below Average
#1711 of 2,000 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
4.7
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,105
Student-Teacher
22.1:1
Score
4.7
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Phoenix
#333 of 398
public schools
Arizona high schools
#387 of 429
In district
#10 of 11
Glendale Union High School District (4285)
About Cortez High School
Cortez High School serves 1,105 students in grades 9-12 in Phoenix, Arizona, with a student-teacher ratio of 22.1:1 and 50 full-time equivalent teachers. The school holds a MySchoolScout rating of 5.6 out of 10 and ranks #981 out of 2,029 Arizona high schools, placing it in the 52nd percentile statewide. Academically, Cortez High School has room for growth, with 37% of students achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and 30% reaching proficiency in mathematics.
The school's academic score of 5.9 out of 10 reflects these performance levels, indicating opportunities to strengthen student achievement across core subjects. The school is situated in the 85051 ZIP code area, where the median household income is $57,176 and the median home value is $253,000. This diverse community has a population of 43,520, with 20% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher and an 18.1% poverty rate, reflecting a mix of socioeconomic backgrounds among families.
Cortez High School operates as a regular public school in Phoenix's large city environment, serving students from this established residential area of Maricopa County where families are working toward educational and economic advancement.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Cortez High School is 22.1:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Cortez High School — Students at Cortez High School score 34% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 34%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
0.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores AZ EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 test records from AZ state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 4.3/10.
How Cortez High School Compares
See how Cortez High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 47% (2019) to 30% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 42% (2019) to 37% (2022).
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 6.5/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, ThrivePoint High School at Metro (rated 6.2/10, 0.6 miles away, in nearby Glendale), which scores notably higher. 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 | 6.0 |
| Imagine Cortez Park Elementary Phoenix | 0.5 mi | 4.0 |
| Imagine Cortez Park Middle Phoenix | 0.5 mi | 6.0 |
| ThrivePoint High School at Metro Glendale | 0.6 mi | 6.2 |
| CASA Academy Phoenix | 0.9 mi | 5.0 |
| ACCEL Phoenix | 1.0 mi | 7.1 |
| Intelli-School - Metro Center Phoenix | 1.0 mi | 6.5 |
| Washington Elementary School Phoenix | 1.0 mi | 4.5 |
| Sage Academy Phoenix | 1.1 mi | 7.1 |
| Manzanita Elementary School Phoenix | 1.1 mi | 4.9 |
| Cactus Wren Elementary School Phoenix | 1.1 mi | 5.0 |
| ST JEROME ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Phoenix | 1.3 mi | 6.3 |
| Abraham Lincoln Traditional School Phoenix | 1.4 mi | 7.2 |
| Lakeview Elementary School Phoenix | 1.6 mi | 5.8 |
| 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 | 4.5 |
| Cholla Middle School Phoenix | 1.7 mi | 6.9 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Cortez High School has a median household income of $63,665. It is a community where 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $288,300, with a median rent of $1,256/month. The area has a poverty rate of 17.6%. The average commute for residents is 28 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| NOTRE DAME PREPARATORY Scottsdale, AZ | 4.7 |
| Dysart High School El Mirage, AZ | 4.8 |
| Arizona School For The Arts Phoenix, AZ | 4.9 |
| Mingus Union High School Cottonwood, AZ | 4.9 |
| Monument Valley High School Kayenta, AZ | 4.5 |
| Moon Valley High School Phoenix, AZ | 4.9 |
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 is ranked #1711 out of 2,000 schools in AZ.
What is Cortez High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Cortez High School has a composite rating of 4.7 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Cortez High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Cortez High School has 29.0% math proficiency and 32.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Neighborhood Context
- Walk Score
- 47 Car-Dependent
- Transit Score
- 44 Some Transit
- Bike Score
- 66 Bikeable
- City Safety
- High (3,139/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Phoenix). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (623) 915-8200
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Glendale Union High School District (4285)- District Enrollment
- 16,407
- Schools in District
- 11
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $10,875
- District Rank
- #10 of 11
Other Schools in This District
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
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