Average
#1497 of 2,000 schools in AZ
Thunderbird High School
High School · Glendale Union High School District (4285)
1750 W THUNDERBIRD RD, Phoenix, AZ 85023
Enrollment
1,547
Student-Teacher
22.8:1
Score
5.3
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,547
Student-Teacher
22.8:1
Score
5.3
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Phoenix
#283 of 398
public schools
Arizona high schools
#329 of 429
In district
#6 of 11
Glendale Union High School District (4285)
Academic performance
8.9 / 10
Exceptional
About Thunderbird High School
Thunderbird High School serves 1,547 students in grades 9-12 in Phoenix, Arizona, earning a solid 7.0 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating and ranking in the 77th percentile statewide at #471 out of 2,029 Arizona schools. The school demonstrates strong academic performance with an 8.2 academic score, where 53% of students achieve proficiency or above in English Language Arts and 55% reach proficiency in mathematics across all grade levels. With 68 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 22.8 to 1, providing educational support within a large student body environment.
The academic achievement reflects the school's commitment to preparing students for post-secondary success in a comprehensive high school setting. The school draws from a stable middle-class community in ZIP code 85023, where the median household income reaches $67,986 and median home values stand at $320,600. About 31% of area residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while the poverty rate remains relatively low at 10.9%, creating a supportive environment for student learning.
Thunderbird High School operates as a regular public school in Phoenix's urban landscape, serving families in a well-established neighborhood that values education and community stability.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Thunderbird High School is 22.8:1, 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.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Thunderbird High School — Students at Thunderbird High School score 54% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 34%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
0.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores AZ EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 test records from AZ state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 3.2/10.
How Thunderbird High School Compares
See how Thunderbird High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 76% (2019) to 55% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 59% (2019) to 53% (2022).
Location
1750 W THUNDERBIRD RD, Phoenix, AZ 85023
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Thunderbird High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Arizona Conservatory for Arts and Academics (rated 6.5/10, 2.1 miles away, in nearby Mesa), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Ombudsman - Charter West (rated 6.3/10, 2.3 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Phoenix, see our Phoenix schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.3 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 85023 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$72,442
Median Home Value
$359,200
Median Rent
$1,429/mo
Population
34,635
College Educated
31.6%
Homeownership
57.3%
Avg Commute
27.9 min
Poverty Rate
10.1%
Median Age
37.2
Community Profile
The community surrounding Thunderbird High School has a median household income of $72,442. It is an area where 32% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $359,200, with a median rent of $1,429/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.1%. The average commute for residents is 28 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 |
|---|---|
| Desert Edge High School Goodyear, AZ | 5.3 |
| Marcos De Niza High School Tempe, AZ | 5.3 |
| Prescott High School Prescott, AZ | 5.3 |
| Walden Grove High School Sahuarita, AZ | 5.3 |
| BROPHY COLLEGE PREPARATORY Phoenix, AZ | 5.2 |
| Greenway High School Phoenix, AZ | 5.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Thunderbird High School
What grades does Thunderbird High School serve?
Thunderbird High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Thunderbird High School?
Thunderbird High School has an enrollment of approximately 1,547 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Thunderbird High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Thunderbird High School is 22.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Thunderbird High School rank in AZ?
Thunderbird High School is ranked #1497 out of 2,000 schools in AZ.
What is Thunderbird High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Thunderbird High School has a composite rating of 5.3 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 Thunderbird High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Thunderbird High School has 53.0% math proficiency and 49.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Thunderbird High School a charter school?
No, Thunderbird High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Thunderbird High School a Title I school?
No, Thunderbird High School is not currently a Title I school.
Neighborhood Context
- Walk Score
- 24 Car-Dependent
- Transit Score
- 38 Some Transit
- Bike Score
- 40 Somewhat Bikeable
- City Safety
- High (3,139/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Phoenix). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 1,547
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 22.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 68
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Maricopa County
- Phone
- (623) 915-8900
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Glendale Union High School District (4285)- District Enrollment
- 16,407
- Schools in District
- 11
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $10,875
- District Rank
- #6 of 11
Other Schools in This District
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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