Skip to main content

Very Good

#18 of 225 private schools in AZ

Top 8% of private schools

Thunderbird Adventist Academy

High School

7410 E SUTTON DR, Scottsdale, AZ 85260

Private Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on AZ statewide data. Learn more

Enrollment

126

Student-Teacher

12.7:1

Score

7.8

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

In Scottsdale

#2 of 17

public schools

Arizona high schools

#4 of 38

About Thunderbird Adventist Academy

Thunderbird Adventist Academy serves 126 high school students in grades 9 through 12 in Scottsdale, Arizona. With 10 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a favorable student-teacher ratio of 12.7:1, allowing for more personalized attention in the classroom. The school has earned a strong MySchoolScout rating of 8.9 out of 10, reflecting its commitment to educational excellence.

While ranking #145 out of 225 Arizona high schools places it in the 36th percentile statewide, this smaller educational community offers an intimate learning environment that many families find appealing. Located on East Sutton Drive, Thunderbird Adventist Academy sits in an affluent area of Scottsdale where the median household income reaches $101,112 and home values average $593,600. The surrounding ZIP code 85260 is home to 38,627 residents, with an impressive 60% holding bachelor's degrees or higher, creating an education-focused community atmosphere.

The area's low poverty rate of just 5.3% reflects the economic stability of the neighborhood. This high school operates within Scottsdale's mid-size city setting, offering students access to both suburban amenities and the cultural opportunities that come with Arizona's dynamic desert communities.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 126 students, Thunderbird Adventist Academy 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.

As a private school, Thunderbird Adventist Academy operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.

Compare to Public Schools

Beta

How Thunderbird Adventist Academy compares to 11 public schools serving similar grades in Scottsdale, AZ

Student-Teacher Ratio
12.7:1
This School
vs
18.3:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
126
This School
vs
860
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
7.8
This School
vs
7.2
Public Avg

Student Demographics

Hispanic 44.4% vs 0%
White 27.8% vs 0%
Black 7.9% vs 0%
Asian 7.9% vs 0%
Thunderbird Adventist Academy Scottsdale Public Avg

Nearby High Schools

School Rating
Thunderbird Adventist Academy (this school) 7.8
Chaparral High School 8.3
Horizon High School 8.5
West-MEC - Horizon High School
Saguaro High School 8.7
Desert Mountain High School 8.8
BASIS Scottsdale 7.8
Salt River Accelerated Learning Academy 5.6
Coronado High School 6.3
Scottsdale Online Learning 5.3
BASIS Goodyear 5.4
Online School of Arizona 6.8

Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.

Score Breakdown

What This Rating Measures

This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in AZ.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
B- 5.3 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 12.7:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
A+ 9.6 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 8 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,440
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
A+ 9.9 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 69%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
A- 8.1 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 126
View data sources

Score basis: Private school model

Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data

Components scored: 4 of 5

Ranking pool: Private schools in AZ

Test Scores

Test score data not yet available for this school.

Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Hispanic 44.4%
White 27.8%
Two or More 9.5%
Black 7.9%
Asian 7.9%
Native American 2.4%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

7410 E SUTTON DR, Scottsdale, AZ 85260

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Thunderbird Adventist Academy may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Horizon High School (rated 8.5/10, 2.5 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Chaparral High School (rated 8.3/10, 2.3 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, BRIGHTMONT ACADEMY (rated 6.6/10, 1.9 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Scottsdale, see our Scottsdale schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.5 mi
School Distance Rating
THUNDERBIRD CHRISTIAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Scottsdale 0.1 mi 6.0
Sonoran Sky Elementary School Phoenix 0.4 mi 9.4
PARDES JEWISH DAY SCHOOL Scottsdale 0.5 mi 6.6
DESERT SKY MONTESSORI Scottsdale 0.5 mi
Sandpiper Elementary School Phoenix 1.0 mi 9.0
BASIS Scottsdale Primary - West Campus Scottsdale 1.5 mi 6.5
RAINBOW MONTESSORI SCHOOL - CACTUS Scottsdale 1.4 mi
Cocopah Middle School Scottsdale 1.7 mi 7.8
BRIGHTMONT ACADEMY Scottsdale 1.9 mi 6.6
Sequoya Elementary School Scottsdale 1.7 mi 8.0
BLESSED SACRAMENT PRESCHOOL & KINDERGARTEN Scottsdale 1.9 mi
Desert Shadows Elementary School Scottsdale 1.9 mi 9.1
Chaparral High School Scottsdale 2.3 mi 8.3
Desert Springs Preparatory Elementary School Phoenix 2.0 mi 8.6
Desert Shadows Middle School Scottsdale 1.9 mi 7.9
CHAPARRAL CHRISTIA COMMUNITY SCHOOLS Scottsdale 2.2 mi
Redfield Elementary School Scottsdale 2.2 mi 8.9
North Ranch Elementary School Phoenix 2.5 mi 8.6
ST JOHN XXIII CATHOLIC SCHOOL COMMUNITY Scottsdale 2.5 mi 4.3
Horizon High School Scottsdale 2.5 mi 8.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 85260 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$103,854

Median Home Value

$637,000

Median Rent

$1,969/mo

Population

39,842

College Educated

58.6%

Homeownership

60%

Avg Commute

19.9 min

Poverty Rate

5%

Median Age

44.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding Thunderbird Adventist Academy has a median household income of $103,854. It is a well-educated community where 59% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $637,000, with a median rent of $1,969/month. The local poverty rate of 5.0% is relatively low. 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
Fredonia High School Fredonia, AZ 7.8
VALLEY LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL Phoenix, AZ 7.8
Duncan High School Duncan, AZ 7.7
Hayden High School Winkelman, AZ 7.7
St David High School Saint David, AZ 7.9
AUTISM ACADEMY FOR ED & DEVELOPMENT Tempe, AZ 8.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Thunderbird Adventist Academy

What grades does Thunderbird Adventist Academy serve?

Thunderbird Adventist Academy serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Thunderbird Adventist Academy?

Thunderbird Adventist Academy has an enrollment of approximately 126 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Thunderbird Adventist Academy?

The student-teacher ratio at Thunderbird Adventist Academy is 12.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does Thunderbird Adventist Academy rank in AZ?

Thunderbird Adventist Academy is ranked #18 out of 225 private schools in AZ.

What is Thunderbird Adventist Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

Thunderbird Adventist Academy has a composite rating of 7.8 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.

Is Thunderbird Adventist Academy a private school?

Yes, Thunderbird Adventist Academy is a private coeducational school with a Seventh-day Adventist affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.

Is Thunderbird Adventist Academy a religious school?

Thunderbird Adventist Academy has a Seventh-day Adventist religious affiliation.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
31 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
35 Some Transit
Bike Score
57 Bikeable
City Safety
High (2,031/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
126
Gender Split
42% M / 58% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
10
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Seventh-day Adventist
School Day
8 hours
Days Per Year
180 days
Setting
Midsize City
County
MARICOPA
Data Year
2022–2023

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

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.