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Very Good

#705 of 2,006 schools in AZ

Top 35% in state

Payson High School

High School · Payson Unified District (4209)

PO BOX 919, Payson, AZ 85547

Enrollment

748

Student-Teacher

17.8:1

Score

7.1

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Arizona schools

#705 of 2,006

In Payson

#2 of 4

public schools

In district

#2 of 4

Payson Unified District (4209)

Academic performance

7.6 / 10

Very Good

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Payson High School

7.1/10

High School in Payson · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Rim Country Middle School

6.0/10

0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Julia Randall Elementary School

6.0/10

0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Payson High School

Payson High School is a public high school in Payson, AZ, part of Payson Unified District (4209). Payson High School serves approximately 748 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 17.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Payson High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.1 out of 10 and ranks #705 of 2,006 schools in AZ.

Structured state assessment records for Payson High School show 43% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 52% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares0.9 pts above AZ schools
  • This school 7.1 · Very Good
  • AZ avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

51% of students at Payson 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 metrics
Student Progress5.0Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-3.64 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics7.6Very Good25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency37% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency37% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency37% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)29% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected+7.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile64th
College Readiness9.0Excellent30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate82%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment6.4Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,456
Chronic Absenteeism50.8%

Payson High School — Students at Payson High School score 37% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 29%).

How we calculate scores →

Test Scores AZ EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 42.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 51.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 28 test records from AZ state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
57%
ELA
87%
2010
Math
60%
ELA
81%
2011
Math
57%
ELA
87%
2012
Math
62%
ELA
87%
2013
Math
52%
ELA
82%
2014
Math
37%
ELA
32%
2015
Math
17%
ELA
22%
2016
Math
37%
ELA
32%
2017
Math
47%
ELA
42%
2018
Math
44.5%
ELA
34.5%
2019
Math
44.5%
ELA
34.5%
2020*
Math
22%
ELA
32%
2021*
Math
22%
ELA
32%
2022
Math
37%
ELA
37%

* 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: 5.0/10.

How Payson High School Compares

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

Overall Score
7.1/10
65th percentile in AZ
Academic
7.6/10
Very Good
Growth
5.0/10
Average
Environment
6.4/10
Average
Sports
8
4 boys' · 4 girls'
Advanced STEM
4/5
Subjects offered

Funding & Resources

Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
42 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
50.8%

Programs & Offerings

Athletics8sports offered
4 boys'·4 girls'·0 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses4 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

PO BOX 919, Payson, AZ 85547

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Payson High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Payson Elementary School (rated 9.5/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is SOUTHWESTERN ACADEMY (rated 9.1/10, 36.8 miles away, in nearby Rimrock), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Pine Strawberry Elementary School (rated 8.9/10, 12.6 miles away, in nearby Pine), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Payson, see our Payson schools guide .

Nearby Schools

11 within 37.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Rim Country Middle School Payson 0.2 mi 6.0
Julia Randall Elementary School Payson 0.6 mi 6.0
PAYSON COMMUNITY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Payson 1.5 mi 4.6
Payson Elementary School Payson 2.0 mi 9.5
Pine Strawberry Elementary School Pine 12.6 mi 8.9
Tonto Basin Elementary Tonto Basin 25.3 mi 8.7
Young Elementary School Young 23.0 mi 5.2
Young High School Young 23.0 mi
SOUTHWESTERN ACADEMY Rimrock 36.8 mi 9.1
Beaver Creek School Rimrock 38.1 mi 6.1
SEDONA SKY ACADEMY Rimrock 37.7 mi

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Arizona School For The Arts Phoenix, AZ 7.1
Glenview College Preparatory High School Phoenix, AZ 7.1
Coolidge High School Coolidge, AZ 7.0
Andrada Polytechnic High School Vail, AZ 7.2
Sabino High School Tucson, AZ 6.9
Heritage Academy Laveen Mesa, AZ 7.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Payson High School

What grades does Payson High School serve?

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

How many students attend Payson High School?

Payson High School has an enrollment of approximately 748 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Payson High School is 17.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Payson High School rank in AZ?

Payson High School ranks #705 of 2,006 schools in AZ.

What is Payson High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Payson High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.1 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 Payson High School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Payson High School has 43% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 52% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Payson High School a charter school?

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

Is Payson High School a Title I school?

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

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
29 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
36 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
748
Student-Teacher Ratio
17.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
42
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Town
County
Gila County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
50.8%
4-Year Graduation
82.0%

District

Payson Unified District (4209)
District Enrollment
2,283
Schools in District
5
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,456
District Rank
#2 of 4

How we rate schools

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