Excellent
#91 of 2,000 schools in AZ
Top 5% 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
8.6
Grades
8th – 12th
Enrollment
1,001
Student-Teacher
23.3:1
Score
8.6
Grades
8th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Tucson
#9 of 246
public schools
Arizona high schools
#9 of 429
In district
#4 of 86
Tucson Unified District (4403)
Academic performance
10.0 / 10
Exceptional
About University High School
University High School is a public high school in Tucson, AZ, part of the Tucson Unified District (4403). The school serves approximately 1,001 students in grades 8th – 12th with a student-teacher ratio of 23.3:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.6/10, placing it in the 95.5th percentile among AZ schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 96% proficiency in math and 95% in reading/language arts. The school scores particularly well in student growth (8.6/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $52,358, where 31% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a large city setting.
What's said publicly about University High School
Synthesized from public, attributable sources. Updated May 2026.
Sources (1)
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at University High School is 23.3:1, 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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University High School — Students at University High School score 97% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 32%).
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
→ StableAverage 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: 8.6/10.
How University High School Compares
See how University High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 97.5% (2019) to 99.5% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 99.5% (2019) to 95% (2022).
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. Rincon High School (rated 5.5/10), a more accessible option. Additionally, Sky Islands (rated 5.2/10, 1.7 miles away), 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 | 5.5 |
| Mary Meredith K-12 School Tucson | 0.5 mi | — |
| Desert Sky Community School Tucson | 0.8 mi | 6.1 |
| Bonillas Elementary Basic Curriculum Magnet School Tucson | 0.9 mi | 8.3 |
| Howell Peter Elementary Tucson | 0.9 mi | 5.7 |
| Lineweaver Elementary School Tucson | 1.1 mi | 8.3 |
| 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 | 7.2 |
| John B Wright Elementary School Tucson | 1.4 mi | 5.5 |
| BASIS Tucson Primary Tucson | 1.3 mi | 6.9 |
| W Arthur Sewel Elementary School Tucson | 1.4 mi | 6.5 |
| TUCSON BAPTIST ACADEMY Tucson | 1.6 mi | 7.0 |
| Myers-Ganoung Elementary School Tucson | 1.7 mi | 5.8 |
| RENAISSANCE ACADEMY TUCSON Tucson | 1.7 mi | 7.8 |
| Roberts Naylor Tucson | 1.8 mi | 7.0 |
| Adventure School Tucson | 1.7 mi | 6.5 |
| Ida Flood Dodge Traditional Middle Magnet School Tucson | 1.7 mi | 5.7 |
| Sky Islands Tucson | 1.7 mi | 5.2 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding University High School has a median household income of $52,358. It is an area where 31% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $248,600, with a median rent of $1,001/month. The area has a poverty rate of 21.9%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. 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 |
|---|---|
| Tanque Verde High School Tucson, AZ | 8.6 |
| Shadow Mountain High School Phoenix, AZ | 8.9 |
| BASIS Phoenix Phoenix, AZ | 8.1 |
| BASIS Chandler Chandler, AZ | 7.7 |
| Florence High School Florence, AZ | 7.7 |
| Combs High School San Tan Valley, AZ | 7.5 |
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 is ranked #91 out of 2,000 schools in AZ.
What is University High School's MySchoolScout rating?
University High School has a composite rating of 8.6 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 University High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, University High School has 95.7% math proficiency and 94.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- Walk Score
- 61 Somewhat Walkable
- Transit Score
- 38 Some Transit
- Bike Score
- 86 Very Bikeable
- City Safety
- High (3,922/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Tucson). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (520) 232-5900
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
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
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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