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Average

#979 of 2,006 schools in AZ

Top 49% in state

Pierson High School

High School · Nogales Unified District (4457)

310 W PLUM ST, Nogales, AZ 85621

Enrollment

155

Student-Teacher

19.4:1

Score

6.4

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Arizona schools

#979 of 2,006

In Nogales

#5 of 13

public schools

In district

#3 of 11

Nogales Unified District (4457)

Academic growth

9.5 / 10

Excellent

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Pierson High School

6.4/10

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

Nusd Online

5.1/10

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

Sacred Heart School

5.2/10

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

About Pierson High School

Pierson High School is a public high school in Nogales, AZ, part of Nogales Unified District (4457). Pierson High School serves approximately 155 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 19.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Pierson High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.4 out of 10 and ranks #979 of 2,006 schools in AZ.

Structured state assessment records for Pierson High School show 16% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 27% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 6.4 · Average
  • District avg 6.5
  • AZ avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

At 155 students, Pierson High School is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.

90% of students at Pierson 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 Progress9.5Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-0.81 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendStable
Academics6.7Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency25% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency25% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency25% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)16% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected+9.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile52th
College Readiness6.3Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate54.5%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment2.5Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio19.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$9,157
Chronic Absenteeism89.7%

Pierson High School — Students at Pierson High School score 25% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 16%).

How we calculate scores →

Test Scores AZ EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 15.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 26.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
5%
ELA
34.5%
2010
Math
5%
ELA
44.5%
2011
Math
15%
ELA
34.5%
2012
Math
15%
ELA
54.5%
2013
Math
24.5%
ELA
54.5%
2014
Math
24.5%
ELA
30%
2015
Math
10%
ELA
10%
2016
Math
2.5%
ELA
7.5%
2017
Math
24.5%
ELA
10%
2018
Math
10%
ELA
10%
2019
Math
10%
ELA
10%
2020*
Math
24.5%
ELA
24.5%
2021*
Math
25%
ELA
25%
2022
Math
25%
ELA
25%

* 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: 9.5/10.

How Pierson High School Compares

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

Overall Score
6.4/10
51th percentile in AZ
Academic
6.7/10
Average
Growth
9.5/10
Excellent
Environment
2.5/10
Needs Improvement
Advanced STEM
1/5
Subjects offered

Funding & Resources

Teaching Staff
19:1 student-teacher ratio
8 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
89.7%

Programs & Offerings

Advanced STEM Courses1 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

310 W PLUM ST, Nogales, AZ 85621

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Pierson High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Nogales High School (rated 6.6/10, 1.9 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Pinnacle Charter High School (rated 5.7/10, 2.0 miles away, in nearby Tempe), with a comparable rating. Additionally, EdOptions Preparatory Academy (rated 4.9/10, 0.2 miles away, in nearby Tempe), a more accessible option. For more schools in Nogales, see our Nogales schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 6.9 mi
School Distance Rating
NUSD Online Nogales 0.0 mi 5.1
SACRED HEART SCHOOL Nogales 0.0 mi 5.2
SACRED HEART CATHOLIC SCHOOL Nogales 0.2 mi 4.8
EdOptions Preparatory Academy Tempe 0.2 mi 4.9
A J Mitchell Elementary School Nogales 0.5 mi 4.2
Wade Carpenter Middle School Nogales 0.7 mi 3.2
Lincoln Elementary School Nogales 0.8 mi 6.1
Mary L Welty Elementary School Nogales 0.8 mi 5.4
Colegio Petite Arizona Phoenix 0.9 mi 5.6
LOURDES CATHOLIC SCHOOL Nogales 1.7 mi 4.5
Nogales High School Nogales 1.9 mi 6.6
SONSHINE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Nogales 2.0 mi 5.1
Pinnacle Charter High School Tempe 2.0 mi 5.7
Mexicayotl Charter School Nogales 2.0 mi 9.7
Francisco Vasquez De Coronado Elementary School Nogales 2.6 mi 6.1
Challenger Elementary School Nogales 2.7 mi 5.2
Desert Shadows Middle School Nogales 4.6 mi 5.1
Robert Bracker Elementary Nogales 4.7 mi 7.3
Little Red Schoolhouse Nogales 5.2 mi 8.5
Calabasas School Rio Rico 6.9 mi 4.4

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
GARY K. HERBERGER YOUNG SCHOLARS ACADEMY Glendale, AZ 6.4
International Commerce High School - Phoenix Phoenix, AZ 6.4
Ray JR/SR High School Kearny, AZ 6.4
Academy of Building Industries Fort Mohave, AZ 6.5
FUSION SCOTTSDALE Scottsdale, AZ 6.5
MCAT High School Marana, AZ 6.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Pierson High School

What grades does Pierson High School serve?

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

How many students attend Pierson High School?

Pierson High School has an enrollment of approximately 155 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Pierson High School is 19.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Pierson High School rank in AZ?

Pierson High School ranks #979 of 2,006 schools in AZ.

What is Pierson High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Pierson High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.4 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 Pierson High School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Pierson High School has 16% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 27% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Pierson High School a charter school?

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

Is Pierson High School a Title I school?

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

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
53 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
35 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
155
Student-Teacher Ratio
19.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
8
Type
alternative
Setting
Remote Town
County
Santa Cruz County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
89.7%
4-Year Graduation
54.5%

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