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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

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

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress4.4Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-4.61 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics9.4Exceptional25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency71%
Reading/ELA Proficiency67%
Overall Proficiency69%
Expected (poverty-adj.)49%
vs. Expected+19.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile91th
College Readiness9.3Exceptional30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation22%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment5.1Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio20.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$9,396

Empire High School — Students at Empire High School score 69% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 49%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

0.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores AZ EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 70.8%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 67.0%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from AZ state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
84.5%
ELA
77%
2021*
Math
57%
ELA
57%
2022
Math
71%
ELA
67%

* 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.

Overall Score
7.3/10
74th percentile in AZ
Academic
9.4/10
9.4/10
Growth
4.4/10
Below average
Environment
5.1/10
Above average

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
21 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
0 Minimal Transit
Bike Score
37 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (3,922/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Tucson). Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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 methodology

Related reading

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