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Excellent

#365 of 2,006 schools in AZ

Top 18% in state

Willow Canyon High School

High School · Dysart Unified District (4243)

17901 W LUNDBERG ST, Surprise, AZ 85388

Enrollment

1,819

Student-Teacher

23.3:1

Score

8.0

Grades

7th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Arizona schools

#365 of 2,006

In Surprise

#7 of 23

public schools

In district

#3 of 24

Dysart Unified District (4243)

Academic performance

9.0 / 10

Excellent

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Willow Canyon High School

8.0/10

High School in Surprise · grades 7th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

West-mec - Willow Canyon High School

Nearby

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

Western Peaks Elementary

5.8/10

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

About Willow Canyon High School

Willow Canyon High School is a public high school in Surprise, AZ, part of Dysart Unified District (4243). Willow Canyon High School serves approximately 1,819 students, and covers grades 7th-12th, and has a 23.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Willow Canyon High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.0 out of 10 and ranks #365 of 2,006 schools in AZ.

Structured state assessment records for Willow Canyon High School show 48% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 59% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares0.7 pts above district
  • This school 8.0 · Excellent
  • District avg 7.3
  • AZ avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

Willow Canyon 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.

39% of students at Willow Canyon High School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress8.7Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-1.94 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics9.0Excellent25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency61% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency58% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency60% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)43% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected+16.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile85th
College Readiness8.9Excellent30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate95%
AP Participation9.2%
IB ProgramYes
Resources & Environment4.3Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio23.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,550
Chronic Absenteeism39.2%

Willow Canyon High School — Students at Willow Canyon High School score 60% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 43%).

How we calculate scores →

Test Scores AZ EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 48.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 59.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 28 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
60%
ELA
83%
2010
Math
57%
ELA
79%
2011
Math
60%
ELA
84%
2012
Math
62%
ELA
83%
2013
Math
60%
ELA
85%
2014
Math
30%
ELA
32%
2015
Math
17%
ELA
36%
2016
Math
41%
ELA
45%
2017
Math
50%
ELA
50%
2018
Math
52%
ELA
52%
2019
Math
52%
ELA
52%
2020*
Math
36%
ELA
44%
2021*
Math
36%
ELA
44%
2022
Math
61%
ELA
58%

* 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: 8.7/10.

How Willow Canyon High School Compares

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

Overall Score
8.0/10
82th percentile in AZ
Academic
9.0/10
Excellent
Growth
8.7/10
Excellent
Environment
4.3/10
Below Average
AP Courses
3
State avg: 2.8
Sports
23
11 boys' · 12 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Teaching Staff
23:1 student-teacher ratio
78 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
39.2%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs3 AP courses offered IB Programme
9.2% participation·State avg: 2.8 AP courses·165 IB enrolled·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics23sports offered
11 boys'·12 girls'·40 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

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

Location

17901 W LUNDBERG ST, Surprise, AZ 85388

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Willow Canyon High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Highland Prep (rated 8.7/10, 3.1 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Paradise Honors High School (rated 8.0/10, 2.4 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Imagine Prep Surprise (rated 7.9/10, 3.0 miles away, in nearby Phoenix), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Surprise, see our Surprise schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.4 mi
School Distance Rating
West-MEC - Willow Canyon High School Surprise 0.0 mi
Western Peaks Elementary Surprise 0.4 mi 5.8
CROSS CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Surprise 0.7 mi 6.3
Canyon Ridge School Surprise 0.7 mi 7.9
Sunset Hills Elementary Surprise 1.0 mi 5.1
Cimarron Springs Middle School Surprise 1.2 mi 7.0
ThrivePoint High School at Surprise Glendale 1.8 mi 4.1
Paradise Honors High School Surprise 2.4 mi 8.0
West-MEC Paradise Honors Surprise 2.4 mi
Legacy Traditional School - West Surprise Chandler 2.8 mi 8.1
Paradise Honors Elementary School Surprise 2.8 mi 7.5
Calibre Academy Surprise Surprise 2.9 mi 4.2
Imagine Surprise Middle Phoenix 3.0 mi 6.7
Imagine Prep Surprise Phoenix 3.0 mi 7.9
West-MEC - Shadow Ridge High School Surprise 3.6 mi
Shadow Ridge High School Surprise 3.6 mi 7.2
Highland Prep Surprise 3.1 mi 8.7
FOURTEENSIX CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Surprise 3.3 mi 6.6
Mountain View Waddell 4.0 mi 5.4
Countryside Elementary School Surprise 3.4 mi 6.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 85388 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$107,131

Median Home Value

$420,000

Median Rent

$2,094/mo

Population

35,003

College Educated

31%

Homeownership

82.2%

Avg Commute

33.6 min

Poverty Rate

4.3%

Median Age

35.7

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Higley High School Gilbert, AZ 8.0
Pinnacle High School Phoenix, AZ 8.0
Saguaro High School Scottsdale, AZ 8.0
Cienega High School Vail, AZ 7.9
Millennium High School Goodyear, AZ 7.9
Shadow Mountain High School Phoenix, AZ 7.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Willow Canyon High School

What grades does Willow Canyon High School serve?

Willow Canyon High School serves students in grades 7th through 12th.

How many students attend Willow Canyon High School?

Willow Canyon High School has an enrollment of approximately 1,819 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Willow Canyon High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Willow Canyon 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 Willow Canyon High School rank in AZ?

Willow Canyon High School ranks #365 of 2,006 schools in AZ.

What is Willow Canyon High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Willow Canyon High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.0 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 Willow Canyon High School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Willow Canyon High School has 48% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 59% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Willow Canyon High School a charter school?

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

Is Willow Canyon High School a Title I school?

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

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
10 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
39 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
7th – 12th
Enrollment
1,819
Student-Teacher Ratio
23.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
78
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Maricopa County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
39.2%
4-Year Graduation
95.0%

District

Dysart Unified District (4243)
District Enrollment
23,118
Schools in District
25
Per-Pupil Spending
$10,550
District Rank
#3 of 24

How we rate schools

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