Skip to main content

Excellent

#243 of 2,000 schools in AZ

Top 12% in state

Nogales High School

High School · Nogales Unified District (4457)

1905 N APACHE BLVD, Nogales, AZ 85621

Enrollment

1,795

Student-Teacher

25.3:1

Score

8.0

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Nogales

#2 of 11

public schools

Arizona high schools

#41 of 429

In district

#1 of 11

Nogales Unified District (4457)

Academic growth

8.9 / 10

Exceptional

About Nogales High School

Nogales High School serves 1,795 students in grades 9-12 in the border community of Nogales, Arizona. Located at 1905 N Apache Boulevard in Santa Cruz County, this regular public school operates with 71 full-time equivalent teachers, maintaining a student-teacher ratio of 25.3:1. The school holds a MySchoolScout rating of 5.7 out of 10 and ranks 949th out of 2,029 high schools statewide, placing it in the 53rd percentile among Arizona schools.

Academic performance shows 42% of students achieving proficiency or above in both English Language Arts/Reading and Mathematics across grade levels, indicating opportunities for continued academic growth and student development. Nogales High School serves a predominantly working-class community where the median household income is $37,004 and the median home value is $163,000. The surrounding ZIP code of 85621 has a population of 21,421, with 17% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a poverty rate of 26.7%.

These demographics reflect the school's role as an important educational anchor in a community that faces economic challenges while working to provide opportunities for its students. The school operates in a remote town setting near the U.S.-Mexico border, giving it a unique position within Arizona's diverse educational landscape.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Nogales High School is 25.3:1, 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 metrics
Student Progress8.9Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.26 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics8.5Excellent25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency42%
Reading/ELA Proficiency42%
Overall Proficiency42%
Expected (poverty-adj.)15%
vs. Expected+27.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile77th
College Readiness9.7Exceptional30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation9%
IB ProgramYes
Resources & Environment3.6Fair20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio25.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$9,608

Nogales High School — Students at Nogales High School score 42% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 15%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

0.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores AZ EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 34.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 31.0%
School
State
N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
47%
ELA
32%
2021*
Math
13%
ELA
19%
2022
Math
42%
ELA
42%

* 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: 8.9/10.

How Nogales High School Compares

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

Overall Score
8.0/10
88th percentile in AZ
Academic
8.5/10
8.5/10
Growth
8.9/10
Above average
Environment
3.6/10
Below average

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs IB Programme
9% participation·23 IB enrolled·CRDC 2020-21

Data as of 2020-21 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

1905 N APACHE BLVD, Nogales, AZ 85621

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Nogales High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Pierson High School (rated 7.5/10, 1.9 miles away), with a comparable rating. Another option is EdOptions Preparatory Academy (rated 6.1/10, 2.0 miles away, in nearby Tempe), a more accessible option. Additionally, Pinnacle Charter High School (rated 5.8/10, 1.0 miles away, in nearby Tempe), a more accessible option. For more schools in Nogales, see our Nogales schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 4.8 mi
School Distance Rating
SONSHINE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Nogales 0.2 mi 5.1
Francisco Vasquez De Coronado Elementary School Nogales 0.9 mi 4.7
Mexicayotl Charter School Nogales 1.0 mi 5.3
Pinnacle Charter High School Tempe 1.0 mi 5.8
Wade Carpenter Middle School Nogales 1.2 mi 6.6
A J Mitchell Elementary School Nogales 1.5 mi 5.0
Mary L Welty Elementary School Nogales 1.6 mi 4.4
SACRED HEART SCHOOL Nogales 1.9 mi 5.2
Pierson High School Nogales 1.9 mi 7.5
NUSD Online Nogales 1.9 mi 4.8
Colegio Petite Arizona Phoenix 1.8 mi 5.6
EdOptions Preparatory Academy Tempe 2.0 mi 6.1
SACRED HEART CATHOLIC SCHOOL Nogales 2.1 mi 4.8
Lincoln Elementary School Nogales 2.0 mi 4.6
LOURDES CATHOLIC SCHOOL Nogales 1.9 mi 4.6
Challenger Elementary School Nogales 2.1 mi 7.1
Desert Shadows Middle School Nogales 2.7 mi 6.5
Robert Bracker Elementary Nogales 2.8 mi 5.6
Calabasas School Rio Rico 5.0 mi 6.0
Little Red Schoolhouse Nogales 4.8 mi 9.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 85621 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$41,309

Median Home Value

$173,600

Median Rent

$700/mo

Population

21,512

College Educated

18.5%

Homeownership

50.7%

Avg Commute

20 min

Poverty Rate

25%

Median Age

37.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Nogales High School has a median household income of $41,309. It is a community where 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $173,600, with a median rent of $700/month. The area has a poverty rate of 25.0%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 20 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
Catalina Foothills High School Tucson, AZ 8.0
Sunnyslope High School Phoenix, AZ 8.0
Higley High School Gilbert, AZ 8.1
Canyon Del Oro High School Oro Valley, AZ 8.2
Ironwood Ridge High School Oro Valley, AZ 8.2
Millennium High School Goodyear, AZ 8.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Nogales High School

What grades does Nogales High School serve?

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

How many students attend Nogales High School?

Nogales High School has an enrollment of approximately 1,795 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Nogales High School is 25.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Nogales High School rank in AZ?

Nogales High School is ranked #243 out of 2,000 schools in AZ.

What is Nogales High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Nogales High School has a composite rating of 8.0 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 Nogales High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Nogales High School has 34.0% math proficiency and 31.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Nogales High School a charter school?

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

Is Nogales High School a Title I school?

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

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
25 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
33 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (3,830/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,795
Student-Teacher Ratio
25.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
71
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Town
County
Santa Cruz County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Nogales Unified District (4457)
District Enrollment
5,701
Schools in District
11
Per-Pupil Spending
$9,157
District Rank
#1 of 11

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

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.