Very Good
#520 of 2,000 schools in AZ
Top 26% 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
7.3
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
888
Student-Teacher
20.7:1
Score
7.3
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Tucson
#52 of 246
public schools
Arizona high schools
#88 of 429
In district
#11 of 23
Vail Unified District (4413)
Academic performance
9.4 / 10
Exceptional
About Empire High School
Empire High School serves 888 students in grades 9-12 in Tucson, Arizona, earning recognition as one of the state's top-performing high schools. With a MySchoolScout rating of 7.9 out of 10 and ranking #143 out of 2,029 Arizona schools, Empire places in the 93rd percentile statewide. The school demonstrates strong academic performance with 67% of students proficient or above in English Language Arts and an impressive 71% reaching proficiency in mathematics.
The school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 20.7 to 1 with 43 full-time equivalent teachers supporting the student body. Empire's academic score of 9.5 out of 10 reflects the dedication to educational excellence that characterizes this public high school. Students at Empire come from families in a well-educated community where 46% of adults hold bachelor's degrees or higher and the median household income reaches $104,855.
The neighborhood's low poverty rate of 5.5% and median home values of $308,800 reflect the stability of this area with a population of nearly 26,000 residents. Empire High School is situated in a rural setting near town, providing students with a blend of natural surroundings and community accessibility that enhances the educational experience.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Empire High School is 20.7:1, 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.
Located in a rural area, Empire High School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score 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%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
0.1%
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: 4.4/10.
How Empire High School Compares
See how Empire High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 84.5% (2019) to 71% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 77% (2019) to 67% (2022).
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 8.3/10, 3.3 miles away, in nearby Vail), which scores notably higher. Another option is Vail Blended Learning (rated 7.2/10, 0.2 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Mica Mountain High (rated 6.2/10, 2.0 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 | 7.8 |
| Vail Blended Learning Tucson | 0.2 mi | 7.2 |
| Esmond Station School Tucson | 0.7 mi | 7.4 |
| Cottonwood Elementary School Vail | 1.0 mi | 7.4 |
| Desert Sky Middle School Tucson | 1.6 mi | 6.0 |
| PCJTED - Mica Mountain High School Tucson | 2.0 mi | — |
| Mica Mountain High Tucson | 2.0 mi | 6.2 |
| Desert Willow Elementary School Tucson | 1.9 mi | 8.1 |
| Mesquite Elementary School Tucson | 2.4 mi | 8.0 |
| Rincon Vista Middle School Tucson | 3.5 mi | 6.4 |
| Senita Valley Elementary School Vail | 3.6 mi | 8.5 |
| Vail Inclusive Preschool Vail | 3.2 mi | 5.8 |
| PCJTED - Cienega High School Tucson | 3.3 mi | — |
| Cienega High School Vail | 3.3 mi | 8.3 |
| Civano Community K-8 School Tucson | 4.2 mi | 9.1 |
| Vail Academy & High School Vail | 3.7 mi | 6.4 |
| Ocotillo Ridge Elementary Vail | 3.9 mi | 8.1 |
| Old Vail Middle School Vail | 4.1 mi | 5.7 |
| Acacia Elementary School Vail | 4.3 mi | 7.0 |
| 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Empire High School has a median household income of $107,290. It is a well-educated community where 46% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $345,900, with a median rent of $1,776/month. The local poverty rate of 5.4% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 27 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 |
|---|---|
| Great Hearts Academies - Trivium Prep Phoenix, AZ | 7.3 |
| Sabino High School Tucson, AZ | 7.3 |
| BASIS Peoria Peoria, AZ | 7.2 |
| BASIS Tucson North Tucson, AZ | 7.2 |
| Coolidge High School Coolidge, AZ | 7.2 |
| Window Rock High School Fort Defiance, AZ | 7.2 |
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 is ranked #520 out of 2,000 schools in AZ.
What is Empire High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Empire High School has a composite rating of 7.3 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 Empire High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Empire High School has 70.8% math proficiency and 67.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
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
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
- Phone
- (520) 879-3000
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Vail Unified District (4413)- District Enrollment
- 14,831
- Schools in District
- 23
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $10,071
- District Rank
- #11 of 23
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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