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
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
Enrollment
126
Student-Teacher
12.7:1
Score
7.8
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2021-22
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
BetaHow Thunderbird Adventist Academy compares to 11 public schools serving similar grades in Scottsdale, AZ
Student Demographics
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.
Data Unavailable
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)
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 miNeighborhood 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (480) 948-3300
- Data Year
- 2022–2023
Resources & Links
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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