Excellent
#311 of 2,006 schools in AZ
Top 16% in state
Empire High School
High School · Vail Unified District (4413)
10701 E MARY ANN CLEVELAND WAY, Tucson, AZ 85747
Enrollment
888
Student-Teacher
20.7:1
Score
8.2
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
888
Student-Teacher
20.7:1
Score
8.2
Grades
9th – 12th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Arizona schools
#311 of 2,006
In Tucson
#29 of 257
public schools
In district
#10 of 23
Vail Unified District (4413)
Academic performance
9.4 / 10
Excellent
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Empire High School
High School in Tucson · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Vail Innovation Center
0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Vail Blended Learning
0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Empire High School
Empire High School is a public high school in Tucson, AZ, part of Vail Unified District (4413). Empire High School serves approximately 888 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 20.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Empire High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.2 out of 10 and ranks #311 of 2,006 schools in AZ.
Structured state assessment records for Empire High School show 71% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 76% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 8.2 · Excellent
- District avg 7.1
- AZ avg 6.2
What Parents Should Know
Empire High School runs 20.7:1 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.
Empire High School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.
34% of students at Empire 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
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Empire High School — Students at Empire High School score 69% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 49%).
Test Scores AZ EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 28 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: 9.0/10.
How Empire High School Compares
See how Empire High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
10701 E MARY ANN CLEVELAND WAY, Tucson, AZ 85747
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Empire High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Cienega High School (rated 7.9/10, 3.3 miles away, in nearby Vail), with a very similar rating. Another option is Mica Mountain High (rated 6.3/10, 2.0 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, Vail Blended Learning (rated 6.2/10, 0.2 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Tucson, see our Tucson schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 4.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Vail Innovation Center Vail | 0.0 mi | 9.1 |
| Vail Blended Learning Tucson | 0.2 mi | 6.2 |
| Esmond Station School Tucson | 0.7 mi | 9.2 |
| Cottonwood Elementary School Vail | 1.0 mi | 8.2 |
| Desert Sky Middle School Tucson | 1.6 mi | 6.7 |
| PCJTED - Mica Mountain High School Tucson | 2.0 mi | — |
| Mica Mountain High Tucson | 2.0 mi | 6.3 |
| Desert Willow Elementary School Tucson | 1.9 mi | 8.4 |
| Mesquite Elementary School Tucson | 2.4 mi | 8.9 |
| Rincon Vista Middle School Tucson | 3.5 mi | 6.5 |
| Senita Valley Elementary School Vail | 3.6 mi | 9.0 |
| Vail Inclusive Preschool Vail | 3.2 mi | 4.4 |
| PCJTED - Cienega High School Tucson | 3.3 mi | — |
| Cienega High School Vail | 3.3 mi | 7.9 |
| Civano Community K-8 School Tucson | 4.2 mi | 7.5 |
| Vail Academy & High School Vail | 3.7 mi | 8.5 |
| Ocotillo Ridge Elementary Vail | 3.9 mi | 9.4 |
| Old Vail Middle School Vail | 4.1 mi | 6.8 |
| Acacia Elementary School Vail | 4.3 mi | 7.6 |
| PCJTED - Andrada Polytechnic High School Tucson | 4.9 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 85747 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$107,290
Median Home Value
$345,900
Median Rent
$1,776/mo
Population
26,808
College Educated
45.6%
Homeownership
80.6%
Avg Commute
27.2 min
Poverty Rate
5.4%
Median Age
36.5
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Great Hearts Academies - Arete Prep Phoenix, AZ | 8.2 |
| BASIS Peoria Peoria, AZ | 8.3 |
| Horizon Honors Secondary School Phoenix, AZ | 8.3 |
| Tanque Verde High School Tucson, AZ | 8.3 |
| Paradise Honors High School Surprise, AZ | 8.0 |
| BASIS Tucson North Tucson, AZ | 8.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Empire High School
What grades does Empire High School serve?
Empire High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Empire High School?
Empire High School has an enrollment of approximately 888 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Empire High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Empire High School is 20.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Empire High School rank in AZ?
Empire High School ranks #311 of 2,006 schools in AZ.
What is Empire High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Empire High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.2 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 Empire High School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Empire High School has 71% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 76% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
Is Empire High School a charter school?
No, Empire High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Empire High School a Title I school?
No, Empire High School is not currently a Title I school.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 888
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 20.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 43
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Pima County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 33.8%
- Phone
- (520) 879-3000
- 4-Year Graduation
- 97.0%
Resources & Links
District
Vail Unified District (4413)- District Enrollment
- 14,831
- Schools in District
- 23
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $10,071
- District Rank
- #10 of 23
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