Very Good
#424 of 2,000 schools in AZ
Top 21% 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
7.5
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
155
Student-Teacher
19.4:1
Score
7.5
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Nogales
#3 of 11
public schools
Arizona high schools
#72 of 429
In district
#2 of 11
Nogales Unified District (4457)
Academic growth
9.9 / 10
Exceptional
About Pierson High School
Pierson High School is an alternative high school located in Nogales, Arizona, within Santa Cruz County. The school serves students from ninth through twelfth grade and has a total enrollment of 155 students with a student-to-teacher ratio of 19.4:1, ensuring that each student receives individualized attention from the eight full-time teachers on staff. Pierson High School's academic performance places it in the 42nd percentile among Arizona schools, with a MySchoolScout rating of 5.1 out of 10 and an academic score of 4.5 out of 10.
The school currently has 20% proficiency rates in both ELA/Reading and Math across all grades, indicating areas where there is room for improvement. The school's setting in a remote town can present unique challenges but also fosters a tight-knit community environment. Pierson High School focuses on providing support and resources to help its students thrive despite these challenges, emphasizing student development and personal growth.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 155 students, Pierson High School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Pierson High School — Students at Pierson High School score 25% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 15%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
0.3%
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
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 9.9/10.
How Pierson High School Compares
See how Pierson High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 10% (2019) to 25% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 10% (2019) to 25% (2022).
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 8.0/10, 1.9 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is EdOptions Preparatory Academy (rated 6.1/10, 0.2 miles away, in nearby Tempe), a more accessible option. Additionally, Pinnacle Charter High School (rated 5.8/10, 2.0 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 | 4.8 |
| 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 | 6.1 |
| A J Mitchell Elementary School Nogales | 0.5 mi | 5.0 |
| Wade Carpenter Middle School Nogales | 0.7 mi | 6.6 |
| Lincoln Elementary School Nogales | 0.8 mi | 4.6 |
| Mary L Welty Elementary School Nogales | 0.8 mi | 4.4 |
| Colegio Petite Arizona Phoenix | 0.9 mi | 5.6 |
| LOURDES CATHOLIC SCHOOL Nogales | 1.7 mi | 4.6 |
| Nogales High School Nogales | 1.9 mi | 8.0 |
| SONSHINE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Nogales | 2.0 mi | 5.1 |
| Pinnacle Charter High School Tempe | 2.0 mi | 5.8 |
| Mexicayotl Charter School Nogales | 2.0 mi | 5.3 |
| Francisco Vasquez De Coronado Elementary School Nogales | 2.6 mi | 4.7 |
| Challenger Elementary School Nogales | 2.7 mi | 7.1 |
| Desert Shadows Middle School Nogales | 4.6 mi | 6.5 |
| Robert Bracker Elementary Nogales | 4.7 mi | 5.6 |
| Little Red Schoolhouse Nogales | 5.2 mi | 9.1 |
| Calabasas School Rio Rico | 6.9 mi | 6.0 |
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 Pierson 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 |
|---|---|
| El Capitan Public School Colorado City, AZ | 7.5 |
| PACE Preparatory Academy Prescott Valley, AZ | 7.5 |
| Academy with Community Partners Mesa, AZ | 7.4 |
| GATEWAY ACADEMY Phoenix, AZ | 7.6 |
| Northpoint Expeditionary Learning Academy Prescott, AZ | 7.4 |
| Academy of Building Industries Fort Mohave, AZ | 7.3 |
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 is ranked #424 out of 2,000 schools in AZ.
What is Pierson High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Pierson 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 Pierson High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Pierson High School has 20.0% math proficiency and 20.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Nogales). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (520) 287-0915
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Nogales Unified District (4457)- District Enrollment
- 5,701
- Schools in District
- 11
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $9,157
- District Rank
- #2 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 methodologyRelated reading
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