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Very Good

#656 of 2,000 schools in AZ

Top 33% in state

Rio Rico High School

High School · Santa Cruz Valley Unified District (4458)

590 N. Camino Galindo, Rio Rico, AZ 85648

Enrollment

1,403

Student-Teacher

25.1:1

Score

7.0

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

Arizona high schools

#119 of 429

In district

#1 of 5

Santa Cruz Valley Unified District (4458)

Academic growth

9.8 / 10

Exceptional

About Rio Rico High School

Rio Rico High School serves 1,403 students in grades 9-12 in the rural community of Rio Rico, Arizona. With 56 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 25.1 to 1, providing a substantial high school environment in Santa Cruz County. Academically, Rio Rico High School has room for growth, with 30% of students demonstrating proficiency in English Language Arts and 31% in mathematics across grade levels.

The school ranks in the 36th percentile among Arizona high schools, positioning at #1295 out of 2029 schools statewide. These performance indicators suggest the school is working to strengthen student achievement across core academic areas. The school draws from a diverse community where the median household income is $62,461 and 24% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher.

With a median home value of $191,000 and a poverty rate of 16.5%, the area reflects a working-class community with varied economic circumstances. The ZIP code 85648 encompasses over 21,000 residents, creating a substantial local population base. Located on North Camino Galindo, Rio Rico High School serves as a central educational hub in this rural Arizona setting, where students experience small-town community life while preparing for their post-secondary futures.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Rio Rico High School is 25.1:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.

Located in a rural area, Rio Rico High School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

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+3.15 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendImproving
Academics6.7Above Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency31%
Reading/ELA Proficiency30%
Overall Proficiency31%
Expected (poverty-adj.)31%
vs. Expected-0.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile52th
College Readiness7.1Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment3.6Fair20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio25.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$9,524

Rio Rico High School — Students at Rio Rico High School score 30% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 31%).

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 19.7%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 25.2%
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
15%
ELA
24.5%
2021*
Math
13%
ELA
21%
2022
Math
31%
ELA
30%

* 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 Rio Rico High School Compares

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

Overall Score
7.0/10
67th percentile in AZ
Academic
6.7/10
6.7/10
Growth
9.8/10
Above average
Environment
3.6/10
Below average

Location

590 N. Camino Galindo, Rio Rico, AZ 85648

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Rio Rico High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Nogales High School (rated 8.0/10, 10.3 miles away, in nearby Nogales), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Pierson High School (rated 7.5/10, 12.2 miles away, in nearby Nogales), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Pinnacle Charter High School (rated 5.8/10, 10.6 miles away, in nearby Tempe), a more accessible option. For more schools in Rio Rico, see our Rio Rico schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 12.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Mountain View School Rio Rico 0.2 mi 6.1
Coatimundi Middle School Rio Rico 0.3 mi 5.4
San Cayetano Elementary School Rio Rico 3.7 mi 4.0
GLOBAL SCHOOLS STARSEED AND URANTION CHILD & TEENS Rio Rico 4.9 mi
Calabasas School Rio Rico 5.5 mi 6.0
Robert Bracker Elementary Nogales 7.6 mi 5.6
Desert Shadows Middle School Nogales 7.6 mi 6.5
Francisco Vasquez De Coronado Elementary School Nogales 9.6 mi 4.7
SONSHINE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Nogales 10.2 mi 5.1
Nogales High School Nogales 10.3 mi 8.0
Mexicayotl Charter School Nogales 10.6 mi 5.3
Pinnacle Charter High School Tempe 10.6 mi 5.8
Challenger Elementary School Nogales 11.0 mi 7.1
Wade Carpenter Middle School Nogales 11.6 mi 6.6
Mary L Welty Elementary School Nogales 11.7 mi 4.4
A J Mitchell Elementary School Nogales 11.8 mi 5.0
LOURDES CATHOLIC SCHOOL Nogales 11.8 mi 4.6
SACRED HEART SCHOOL Nogales 12.2 mi 5.2
Colegio Petite Arizona Phoenix 12.1 mi 5.6
Pierson High School Nogales 12.2 mi 7.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 85648 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$63,672

Median Home Value

$213,100

Median Rent

$1,049/mo

Population

21,844

College Educated

24.5%

Homeownership

82.5%

Avg Commute

27.2 min

Poverty Rate

18.2%

Median Age

34.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding Rio Rico High School has a median household income of $63,672. It is an area where 25% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $213,100, with a median rent of $1,049/month. The area has a poverty rate of 18.2%. The average commute for residents is 27 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
Arcadia High School Phoenix, AZ 6.9
Barry Goldwater High School Phoenix, AZ 6.9
Benjamin Franklin High School Queen Creek, AZ 7.1
Flagstaff High School Flagstaff, AZ 7.1
BASIS Peoria Peoria, AZ 7.2
Verrado High School Buckeye, AZ 6.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Rio Rico High School

What grades does Rio Rico High School serve?

Rio Rico High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Rio Rico High School?

Rio Rico High School has an enrollment of approximately 1,403 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Rio Rico High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Rio Rico High School is 25.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Rio Rico High School rank in AZ?

Rio Rico High School is ranked #656 out of 2,000 schools in AZ.

What is Rio Rico High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Rio Rico High School has a composite rating of 7.0 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 Rio Rico High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Rio Rico High School has 19.7% math proficiency and 25.2% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Rio Rico High School a charter school?

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

Is Rio Rico High School a Title I school?

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

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
8 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
13 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR. County-level only.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,403
Student-Teacher Ratio
25.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
56
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Santa Cruz County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Santa Cruz Valley Unified District (4458)
District Enrollment
3,621
Schools in District
6
Per-Pupil Spending
$9,639
District Rank
#1 of 5

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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