Very Good
#427 of 2,000 schools in AZ
Top 21% 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
7.5
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
748
Student-Teacher
17.8:1
Score
7.5
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Payson
#1 of 4
public schools
Arizona high schools
#73 of 429
In district
#1 of 4
Payson Unified District (4209)
Academic growth
8.1 / 10
Very strong
About Payson High School
Payson High School serves about 748 students in grades 9 through 12 in the remote town of Payson, Arizona. The school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 17.8:1 with 42 full-time equivalent teachers on staff. With a MySchoolScout rating of 6.2 out of 10, Payson High ranks 721st among Arizona's 2,029 schools, placing it in the 64th percentile statewide.
The school has room for academic growth, particularly in core subjects. Current proficiency rates show 34 percent of students meeting or exceeding state standards in both English language arts and mathematics across grade levels. The academic score of 6.4 out of 10 reflects these developmental areas where the school is working to strengthen student achievement.
Payson High's remote location creates a distinctive educational environment that shapes the school's community and character.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Payson High School — Students at Payson High School score 37% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 29%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
0.2%
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
→ StableAverage 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: 8.1/10.
How Payson High School Compares
See how Payson High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 44.5% (2019) to 37% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 34.5% (2019) to 37% (2022).
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. Pine Strawberry Elementary School (rated 9.0/10, 12.6 miles away, in nearby Pine), which scores notably higher. Another option is SOUTHWESTERN ACADEMY (rated 9.0/10, 36.8 miles away, in nearby Rimrock), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Tonto Basin Elementary (rated 8.4/10, 25.3 miles away, in nearby Tonto Basin), which scores slightly 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 | 6.2 |
| Julia Randall Elementary School Payson | 0.6 mi | 4.8 |
| PAYSON COMMUNITY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Payson | 1.5 mi | 4.6 |
| Payson Elementary School Payson | 2.0 mi | 7.2 |
| Pine Strawberry Elementary School Pine | 12.6 mi | 9.0 |
| Tonto Basin Elementary Tonto Basin | 25.3 mi | 8.4 |
| Young Elementary School Young | 23.0 mi | 8.1 |
| Young High School Young | 23.0 mi | — |
| SOUTHWESTERN ACADEMY Rimrock | 36.8 mi | 9.0 |
| Beaver Creek School Rimrock | 38.1 mi | 7.3 |
| SEDONA SKY ACADEMY Rimrock | 37.7 mi | — |
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Great Hearts Academies - Lincoln Prep Phoenix, AZ | 7.5 |
| Great Hearts Academies - Veritas Prep Phoenix, AZ | 7.5 |
| Holbrook High School Holbrook, AZ | 7.5 |
| Great Hearts Academies - North Phoenix Prep Phoenix, AZ | 7.4 |
| Mohave Accelerated Learning Center Bullhead City, AZ | 7.6 |
| Empire High School Tucson, 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 is ranked #427 out of 2,000 schools in AZ.
What is Payson High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Payson High School has a composite rating of 7.5 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 Payson High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Payson High School has 34.5% math proficiency and 34.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Payson). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (928) 472-5788
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Payson Unified District (4209)- District Enrollment
- 2,283
- Schools in District
- 5
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,456
- District Rank
- #1 of 4
Other Schools in This District
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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