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Very Good

#613 of 2,000 schools in AZ

Top 31% in state

Palo Verde High Magnet School

High School · Tucson Unified District (4403)

1302 S AVENIDA VEGA, Tucson, AZ 85710

Enrollment

676

Student-Teacher

11.7:1

Score

7.1

Grades

8th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Tucson

#67 of 246

public schools

Arizona high schools

#107 of 429

In district

#27 of 86

Tucson Unified District (4403)

Academic growth

9.8 / 10

Exceptional

About Palo Verde High Magnet School

Palo Verde High Magnet School serves 676 students in grades 8-12 in Tucson, Arizona, offering a focused educational environment with an excellent 11.7:1 student-teacher ratio supported by 58 full-time equivalent teachers. This regular public high school has earned recognition as a standout institution, ranking #182 out of 2,029 schools statewide and placing in the 91st percentile across Arizona. With a MySchoolScout rating of 7.7 out of 10, Palo Verde demonstrates strong overall performance despite having room for academic growth, as 22% of students score proficient or above in both English Language Arts and Mathematics.

The school's magnet designation suggests specialized programming that attracts students from across the district. The school draws from a diverse community in the 85710 ZIP code area, where the median household income is $52,299 and median home values reach $222,700. About 30% of neighborhood residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while the poverty rate remains relatively low at 12.6% among the area's nearly 53,000 residents.

Palo Verde High Magnet School operates within Tucson's large city environment, providing students with both the intimate feel of a smaller school community and access to the cultural and educational opportunities that come with urban living.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress9.8Exceptional25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+3.27 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendImproving
Academics7.1Very Good25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency37%
Reading/ELA Proficiency32%
Overall Proficiency35%
Expected (poverty-adj.)32%
vs. Expected+2.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile58th
College Readiness3.4Fair30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation12.1%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.5Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,545

Palo Verde High Magnet School — Students at Palo Verde High Magnet School score 34% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 32%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

0.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores AZ EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 22.2%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 22.0%
School
State
N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
22%
ELA
22%
2021*
Math
7.5%
ELA
12%
2022
Math
37%
ELA
32%

* 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: 9.8/10.

How Palo Verde High Magnet School Compares

See how Palo Verde High Magnet School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.1/10
69th percentile in AZ
Academic
7.1/10
7.1/10
Growth
9.8/10
Above average
Environment
9.5/10
Above average

Location

1302 S AVENIDA VEGA, Tucson, AZ 85710

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Palo Verde High Magnet School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Online School of Arizona (rated 6.8/10, 1.2 miles away, in nearby Scottsdale), with a very similar rating. Another option is Compass High School (rated 5.6/10, 1.7 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, Sky Islands (rated 5.2/10, 1.3 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Tucson, see our Tucson schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.8 mi
School Distance Rating
OUR MOTHER OF SORROWS CATHOLIC SCHOOL Tucson 0.4 mi 6.5
Wheeler Elementary School Tucson 0.5 mi 7.1
Academy of Tucson Middle School Tucson 0.5 mi 5.1
Annie Kellond Elementary School Tucson 0.7 mi 4.9
Booth-Fickett Math/Science Magnet School Tucson 0.8 mi 6.3
AUTISM ACADEMY FOR EDUCATION & DEVELOPMENT Tucson 1.0 mi 7.4
Dietz K-8 School Tucson 0.9 mi 7.3
Canyon Rose Academy Tucson 1.1 mi 4.7
Online School of Arizona Scottsdale 1.2 mi 6.8
FAMILY LIFE ACADEMY Tucson 1.3 mi 6.5
Sky Islands Tucson 1.3 mi 5.2
Irene Erickson Elementary School Tucson 1.5 mi 5.8
Hudlow Elementary School Tucson 1.5 mi 3.7
Sonoran Science Academy East Tucson 1.6 mi 6.1
Da Vinci Tree Academy Tucson 1.4 mi 7.7
Borman K-8 School Tucson 1.6 mi 5.6
ST MICHAEL'S PARISH DAY SCHOOL Tucson 1.8 mi 7.9
Compass High School Tucson 1.7 mi 5.6
Arizona Online Charter School Tucson 1.8 mi 2.6
La Paloma Academy (Lakeside) Tucson 1.8 mi 3.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 85710 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$54,738

Median Home Value

$245,900

Median Rent

$1,169/mo

Population

55,004

College Educated

30.7%

Homeownership

55.6%

Avg Commute

22.6 min

Poverty Rate

12.5%

Median Age

41.6

Community Profile

The community surrounding Palo Verde High Magnet School has a median household income of $54,738. It is an area where 31% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $245,900, with a median rent of $1,169/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.5%. The average commute for residents is 23 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
Chino Valley High School Chino Valley, AZ 7.1
Great Hearts Academies - Chandler Prep Phoenix, AZ 7.1
San Carlos High School San Carlos, AZ 7.1
Globe High School Globe, AZ 7.0
Great Hearts Academies - Arete Prep Phoenix, AZ 7.0
Tempe Preparatory Academy Tempe, AZ 7.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Palo Verde High Magnet School

What grades does Palo Verde High Magnet School serve?

Palo Verde High Magnet School serves students in grades 8th through 12th.

How many students attend Palo Verde High Magnet School?

Palo Verde High Magnet School has an enrollment of approximately 676 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Palo Verde High Magnet School?

The student-teacher ratio at Palo Verde High Magnet School is 11.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Palo Verde High Magnet School rank in AZ?

Palo Verde High Magnet School is ranked #613 out of 2,000 schools in AZ.

What is Palo Verde High Magnet School's MySchoolScout rating?

Palo Verde High Magnet School has a composite rating of 7.1 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 Palo Verde High Magnet School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Palo Verde High Magnet School has 22.2% math proficiency and 22.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Palo Verde High Magnet School a charter school?

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

Is Palo Verde High Magnet School a Title I school?

No, Palo Verde High Magnet School is not currently a Title I school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
63 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
37 Some Transit
Bike Score
64 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
8th – 12th
Enrollment
676
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
58
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Pima County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Tucson Unified District (4403)
District Enrollment
40,929
Schools in District
90
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,783
District Rank
#27 of 86

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

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