Below Average
#1655 of 2,006 schools in AZ
South Mountain High School
High School · Phoenix Union High School District (4286) · Phoenix, AZ
A Phoenix Union High School District (4286) high school where students score 17 points below what's typical for similar communities.
5401 S 7TH ST, Phoenix, AZ 85040
- Math 15% proficient (2022)
- Reading 15% proficient (2022)
- 71.0% 4-year graduation
Academics
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Students at South Mountain High School score 15% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 32%).
2022 EdFacts proficiency
Most recent published year. School vs. AZ average.
Trend
↓ DecliningProficiency has fallen 11 points since 2019, to 15% in 2022, across a 14-year record (2009–2022).
Show all 14 years
Multi-year averages used by the rating model: math 28% (multi-year average, 2009-2022) · reading/ELA 40% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Based on 28 test records from AZ state assessments and EdFacts (NCES).
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateThe neighborhood
Where South Mountain High School sits, and what the surrounding area looks like.
Nearby same-level schools are colored by their score. Pins are locations, not attendance boundaries. Open the Phoenix map →
Getting around & local context
- Walk 19Car-Dependent
- Transit 47Some Transit
- Bike 53Bikeable
- City Safety: High3,139/100K
Powered by
FBI Uniform Crime Reporting · 2024 · city context (Phoenix), not school-level safety or attendance eligibility. Source details
Source period: 2024. Freshness not available.
Area profileU.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates (ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates)
Median income
$57,890
Median home value
$294,800
Median rent
$1,193/mo
College educated
14.6%
Homeownership
47.6%
Poverty rate
23.1%
ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates for the ZCTA associated with school ZIP 85040; this is area context, not an attendance boundary.
Programs & students
Programs & Offerings
Compare nearby
Nearby same-level schools
4 from a 5-mile search; district fallback available
| School | Score | Grades | Distance | Enrollment | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aim Higher College Prep AcademyCharter · enrollment unverified | 7.2 | 7–12 | 0.6 mi | 41 | Compare → |
| Asu Preparatory Academy - South Phoenix High SchoolCharter · enrollment unverified | 7.1 | 7–12 | 0.7 mi | 231 | Compare → |
| Asu Preparatory Academy - South Phoenix IntermediateCharter · enrollment unverified | 4.2 | PK–12 | 0.7 mi | 99 | Compare → |
| Hope College and Career Readiness AcademyEnrollment path unverified | 5.5 | 9–12 | 1.1 mi | 83 | Compare → |
Distance is proximity only; it is not attendance eligibility.
Charter · enrollment unverified: Potential charter option; enrollment requirements have not been verified.
Enrollment path unverified: Potential public school; its attendance or application path has not been classified.
Phoenix Union High School District (4286)
- Schools in district
- 20
- Rank in district
- #15 of 18
- District spending per student
- $13,194NCES F-33 · FY 2023 · This annual source is three years behind the current year.
- District child poverty rate
- 17.5%Census SAIPE · 2024
South Mountain High School is listed in Phoenix Union High School District (4286); a district label does not verify attendance for an address.
About South Mountain High School
South Mountain High School is a public high school in Phoenix, AZ, part of Phoenix Union High School District (4286), serving approximately 2,171 students in grades 9th-12th with a 19.4:1 student-teacher ratio. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 4.6 out of 10 and ranks #1,655 of 2,006 schools in AZ. State assessment records show 28% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 40% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about South Mountain High School
What grades does South Mountain High School serve?
South Mountain High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend South Mountain High School?
South Mountain High School has an enrollment of approximately 2,171 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at South Mountain High School?
The student-teacher ratio at South Mountain 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 South Mountain High School rank in AZ?
South Mountain High School ranks #1,655 of 2,006 schools in AZ.
What is South Mountain High School's MySchoolScout rating?
South Mountain High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.6 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 South Mountain High School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, South Mountain High School has 28% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 40% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
Is South Mountain High School a charter school?
No, South Mountain High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is South Mountain High School a Title I school?
No, South Mountain High School is not currently a Title I school.
School factsNCES Common Core of Data (CCD) (SY 2023–24)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 2,171
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 19.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 112
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Maricopa County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 61.9%
- Phone
- (602) 764-5000
- 4-Year Graduation
- 71.0%
- Area population (ZIP 85040)
- 33,325
- Area average commute
- 25.5 min
- Area median age
- 30.7
Official sources & links
About this school's data
Every number on this page comes from a published source with a stated period. Where a source is partial, aging, or describes a surrounding area rather than the school, that limitation is named below.
- School directory (enrollment, grades, staff, contact)
- NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) · SY 2023–24 · Medium confidence
- Source period: SY 2023–24. A newer release may be available.
- MySchoolScout rating and rank
- MySchoolScout ranking model · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Derived as a weighted blend of the component scores shown in Academics from state assessment, EdFacts growth, and NCES resource records.
- Math proficiency
- State department of education · 2022 EdFacts · Low confidence
- Older source: 2022 EdFacts. Use as historical context.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Reading/ELA proficiency
- State department of education · 2022 EdFacts · Low confidence
- Older source: 2022 EdFacts. Use as historical context.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Student progress (growth)
- NCES EdFacts · Mixed source periods · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived as the fitted year-over-year slope of proficiency from multi-year assessment records.
- Neighborhood (income, housing, education)
- U.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates · ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates · Low confidence
- Older source: ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates. Use as historical context.
- Reported for the ZCTA for ZIP 85040; this does not measure the attendance area.
- Programs (AP/IB, athletics, gifted)
- CRDC via Urban Institute · SY 2021–22 · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: SY 2021–22. A newer release may be available.
Evidence periods: Rating mixed/unknown input periods; assessments multi-year average, 2009-2022; directory SY 2023–24
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