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Excellent

#75 of 2,006 schools in AZ

Top 4% in state

University High School

High School · Tucson Unified District (4403)

421 N ARCADIA AVE, Tucson, AZ 85711

Enrollment

1,001

Student-Teacher

23.3:1

Score

9.1

Grades

8th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Arizona schools

#75 of 2,006

In Tucson

#7 of 257

public schools

In district

#4 of 86

Tucson Unified District (4403)

Academic performance

10.0 / 10

Excellent

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University High School

9.1/10

High School in Tucson · grades 8th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Pcjted - Rincon High School

Nearby

0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Rincon High School

5.8/10

0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About University High School

University High School is a public high school in Tucson, AZ, part of Tucson Unified District (4403). University High School serves approximately 1,001 students, and covers grades 8th-12th, and has a 23.3:1 student-teacher ratio. University High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 9.1 out of 10 and ranks #75 of 2,006 schools in AZ.

Structured state assessment records for University High School show 97% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 97% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

What's said publicly about University High School

Sources: Wikipedia

Synthesized from public, attributable sources. Updated May 2026.

University High School (UHS) is an accelerated public high school located in Tucson, Arizona, within the Tucson Unified School District (TUSD) 2 . Originally named Special Projects High School (SPHS), the institution identifies itself as a special function high school serving academically focused and intellectually gifted students 2 . Its mission is to provide curriculum and social support not offered in comprehensive high schools 2 . Since 1985, UHS has shared a campus with Rincon High School, which operates as a separate entity 2 . Students from both schools may combine courses, and their athletics and fine arts programs are unified under the Rincon/University (RUHS) name 2 .
Sources (1)
  1. en.wikipedia.org
Generated by AI from public sources. Every claim is grounded in a cited source. Report inaccuracy
How it compares2.9 pts above district
  • This school 9.1 · Excellent
  • District avg 6.2
  • AZ avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

University High School runs 23.3:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress9.6Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-0.29 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendStable
Academics10.0Excellent25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency99.5% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency95% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency97% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)32% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected+65.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile100th
College Readiness10.0Excellent30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate97%
AP Participation100%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment6.2Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio23.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,783
Chronic Absenteeism29.1%

University High School — Students at University High School score 97% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 32%).

How we calculate scores →

Test Scores AZ EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 97.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 97.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 27 test records from AZ state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
97.5%
ELA
97.5%
2010
Math
99.5%
ELA
99.5%
2011
Math
99.5%
ELA
99.5%
2012
Math
99.5%
ELA
99.5%
2013
Math
99.5%
ELA
99.5%
2014
Math
95%
ELA
98%
2015
ELA
93%
2016
Math
99.5%
ELA
99.5%
2017
Math
99.5%
ELA
99.5%
2018
Math
97.5%
ELA
99.5%
2019
Math
97.5%
ELA
99.5%
2020*
Math
90%
ELA
90%
2021*
Math
90%
ELA
90%
2022
Math
99.5%
ELA
95%

* 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: 9.6/10.

How University High School Compares

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

Overall Score
9.1/10
96th percentile in AZ
Academic
10.0/10
Excellent
Growth
9.6/10
Excellent
Environment
6.2/10
Average
AP Courses
4
State avg: 2.8
Sports
19
9 boys' · 10 girls'
Advanced STEM
4/5
Subjects offered

Funding & Resources

Teaching Staff
23:1 student-teacher ratio
43 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
29.1%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs4 AP courses offered
100% participation·State avg: 2.8 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics19sports offered
9 boys'·10 girls'·34 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses4 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

421 N ARCADIA AVE, Tucson, AZ 85711

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering University High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Sky Islands (rated 7.3/10, 1.7 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, Rincon High School (rated 5.8/10), a more accessible option. For more schools in Tucson, see our Tucson schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.7 mi
School Distance Rating
PCJTED - Rincon High School Tucson 0.0 mi
Rincon High School Tucson 0.0 mi 5.8
Mary Meredith K-12 School Tucson 0.5 mi
Desert Sky Community School Tucson 0.8 mi 8.1
Bonillas Elementary Basic Curriculum Magnet School Tucson 0.9 mi 7.2
Howell Peter Elementary Tucson 0.9 mi 6.1
Lineweaver Elementary School Tucson 1.1 mi 8.0
FAITH LUTHERAN SCHOOL Tucson 1.1 mi 7.2
ST JOSEPH CATHOLIC SCHOOL Tucson 1.1 mi
Alice Vail Middle School Tucson 1.2 mi 6.0
John B Wright Elementary School Tucson 1.4 mi 7.0
BASIS Tucson Primary Tucson 1.3 mi 6.8
W Arthur Sewel Elementary School Tucson 1.4 mi 6.9
TUCSON BAPTIST ACADEMY Tucson 1.6 mi 7.0
Myers-Ganoung Elementary School Tucson 1.7 mi 5.5
RENAISSANCE ACADEMY TUCSON Tucson 1.7 mi 7.8
Roberts Naylor Tucson 1.8 mi 5.6
Adventure School Tucson 1.7 mi 3.9
Ida Flood Dodge Traditional Middle Magnet School Tucson 1.7 mi 6.2
Sky Islands Tucson 1.7 mi 7.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 85711 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$52,358

Median Home Value

$248,600

Median Rent

$1,001/mo

Population

41,201

College Educated

30.5%

Homeownership

48.1%

Avg Commute

20.4 min

Poverty Rate

21.9%

Median Age

38

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Great Hearts Academies - North Phoenix Prep Phoenix, AZ 9.0
BASIS Phoenix Phoenix, AZ 8.9
Great Hearts Academies - Scottsdale Prep Phoenix, AZ 8.8
BASIS Chandler Chandler, AZ 8.7
Great Hearts Academies - Chandler Prep Phoenix, AZ 8.7
Great Hearts Academies - Glendale Prep Phoenix, AZ 8.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about University High School

What grades does University High School serve?

University High School serves students in grades 8th through 12th.

How many students attend University High School?

University High School has an enrollment of approximately 1,001 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at University High School?

The student-teacher ratio at University High School is 23.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does University High School rank in AZ?

University High School ranks #75 of 2,006 schools in AZ.

What is University High School's MySchoolScout rating?

University High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 9.1 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 University High School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, University High School has 97% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 97% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is University High School a charter school?

No, University High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is University High School a Title I school?

No, University High School is not currently a Title I school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
61 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
38 Some Transit
Bike Score
86 Very Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
8th – 12th
Enrollment
1,001
Student-Teacher Ratio
23.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
43
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Pima County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
29.1%
4-Year Graduation
97.0%

District

Tucson Unified District (4403)
District Enrollment
40,929
Schools in District
90
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,783
District Rank
#4 of 86

How we rate schools

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