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Below Average

#1858 of 2,000 schools in AZ

South Mountain High School

High School · Phoenix Union High School District (4286)

5401 S 7TH ST, Phoenix, AZ 85040

Enrollment

2,171

Student-Teacher

19.4:1

Score

4.2

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Phoenix

#359 of 398

public schools

Arizona high schools

#414 of 429

In district

#13 of 18

Phoenix Union High School District (4286)

About South Mountain High School

South Mountain High School serves 2,171 students in grades 9-12 in Phoenix, Arizona, making it one of the larger high schools in the area. With 112 full-time teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 19.4:1, providing reasonable class sizes for a comprehensive public high school. Academically, South Mountain is focusing on student development, with 15% of students achieving proficiency in both English Language Arts and Mathematics.

The school ranks in the 15th percentile among Arizona high schools, indicating significant room for academic growth. These challenges likely reflect the broader socioeconomic factors affecting the community, where nearly a quarter of families face economic hardship. The school serves a working-class neighborhood in the 85040 ZIP code, where the median household income is $55,771 and home values average $240,100.

With only 13% of residents holding bachelor's degrees, South Mountain plays a crucial role in providing educational opportunities for first-generation college-bound students. Located on South 7th Street in Phoenix's urban landscape, South Mountain High School sits in a large city environment that offers students exposure to diverse experiences and opportunities. The school serves as an important educational anchor in this established Phoenix community, working to support students from varied backgrounds as they prepare for their post-graduation plans.

What Parents Should Know

South Mountain High School is a large school with 2,171 students enrolled. Larger schools typically offer a wider range of academic programs, electives, and extracurricular activities. Parents may want to ask about how the school maintains a sense of community and ensures students don't get lost in the crowd.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress5.1Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-4 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics3.6Fair25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency15%
Reading/ELA Proficiency15%
Overall Proficiency15%
Expected (poverty-adj.)32%
vs. Expected-17.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile17th
College Readiness2.2Needs Improvement30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation5.7%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment6.9Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio19.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,816

South Mountain High School — Students at South Mountain High School score 15% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 32%).

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 15.7%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 19.0%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from AZ state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
25%
ELA
27%
2021*
Math
7%
ELA
15%
2022
Math
15%
ELA
15%

* 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: 5.1/10.

How South Mountain High School Compares

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

Overall Score
4.2/10
7th percentile in AZ
Academic
3.6/10
3.6/10
Growth
5.1/10
Above average
Environment
6.9/10
Above average

Location

5401 S 7TH ST, Phoenix, AZ 85040

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering South Mountain High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. AIM Higher College Prep Academy (rated 8.3/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Hope College and Career Readiness Academy (rated 6.9/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, NFL YET College Prep Academy (rated 6.7/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Phoenix, see our Phoenix schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.5 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 85040 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$57,890

Median Home Value

$294,800

Median Rent

$1,193/mo

Population

33,325

College Educated

14.6%

Homeownership

47.6%

Avg Commute

25.5 min

Poverty Rate

23.1%

Median Age

30.7

Community Profile

The community surrounding South Mountain High School has a median household income of $57,890. It is a community where 15% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $294,800, with a median rent of $1,193/month. The area has a poverty rate of 23.1%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 26 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
Camelback High School Phoenix, AZ 4.3
Copper Canyon High School Glendale, AZ 4.3
Estrella Foothills High School Goodyear, AZ 4.3
Raymond S. Kellis Glendale, AZ 4.1
Desert View High School Tucson, AZ 4.4
Student Choice High School Tempe, AZ 4.4

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 is ranked #1858 out of 2,000 schools in AZ.

What is South Mountain High School's MySchoolScout rating?

South Mountain High School has a composite rating of 4.2 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 South Mountain High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, South Mountain High School has 15.7% math proficiency and 19.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
19 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
47 Some Transit
Bike Score
53 Bikeable
City Safety
High (3,139/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Phoenix). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
2,171
Student-Teacher Ratio
19.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
112
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Maricopa County
Data Year
2023–2024

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

Related reading

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