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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Pima County Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 385 public schools serving 148,688 students in Pima County, AZ (there are 88 private schools, serving 13,541 private students). 91% of all K-12 students in Pima County, AZ are educated in public schools (compared to the AZ state average of 94%).
The top-ranked public schools in Pima County, AZ are University High School, Basis Oro Valley and Basis Oro Valley Primary. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Pima County, AZ public schools have an average math proficiency score of 33% (versus the Arizona public school average of 34%), and reading proficiency score of 39% (versus the 41% statewide average). Schools in Pima County have an average ranking of 9/10, which is in the top 20% of Arizona public schools.
Minority enrollment is 72% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Arizona public school average of 67% (majority Hispanic).

Best Public Schools in Pima County (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
University High School
(Math: 96% | Reading: 95%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
421 N Arcadia Ave
Tucson, AZ 85711
(520) 232-5900
Gr: 8-12 | 982 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 62%
Rank: #22.
Basis Oro Valley
Charter School
(Math: 86% | Reading: 86%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
11155 N Oracle Rd
Tucson, AZ 85737
(520) 308-5220
Gr: 5-12 | 540 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 65%
Rank: #33.
Basis Oro Valley Primary
Charter School
(Math: 89% | Reading: 82%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
11155 N Oracle Rd
Tucson, AZ 85737
(520) 812-5900
Gr: K-6 | 599 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 71%
Rank: #44.
Senita Valley Elementary School
(Math: 83% | Reading: 78%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
10750 E Bilby Rd
Vail, AZ 85641
(520) 879-3100
Gr: PK-8 | 709 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 54%
Rank: #5 - 65. - 6.
Basis Tucson Primary
Charter School
(Math: 74% | Reading: 81%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
3825 E 2nd St
Tucson, AZ 85716
(520) 326-6367
Gr: K-12 | 785 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 80%
Rank: #5 - 65. - 6.
Fruchthendler Elementary School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
7470 E Cloud Rd
Tucson, AZ 85750
(520) 731-4400
Gr: PK-6 | 327 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 51%
Rank: #7 - 87. - 8.
Pcjted - Catalina Foothills High School
Vocational School
(Math: 85% | Reading: 79% )
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
4300 E Sunrise Dr
Tucson, AZ 85741
(520) 209-8351
Gr: 9-12
Rank: #7 - 87. - 8.
Pcjted - Empire High School
Vocational School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 75-79% )
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
10701 E Mary Ann Cleveland Way
Tucson, AZ 85741
(520) 879-3000
Gr: 9-12
Rank: #9 - 109. - 10.
Basis Tucson North
Charter School
(Math: 74% | Reading: 74%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
5740 E River Rd
Tucson, AZ 85750
(520) 207-0076
Gr: 5-12 | 753 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 70%
Rank: #9 - 109. - 10.
The Innovation Academy
(Math: 71% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
825 W Desert Fairways Dr
Tucson, AZ 85755
(520) 269-4610
Gr: PK-5 | 415 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 37%
Rank: #1111.
Ocotillo Ridge Elementary School
(Math: 78% | Reading: 71%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
10701 S. White Lightning
Vail, AZ 85641
(520) 879-3600
Gr: PK-5 | 723 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 46%
Rank: #1212.
Esmond Station School
(Math: 71% | Reading: 75%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
9400 S Atterbury Wash Way
Tucson, AZ 85747
(520) 879-3400
Gr: PK-8 | 741 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 55%
Rank: #1313.
Pcjted - University High School
Vocational School
(Math: ≥80% | Reading: ≥80% )
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
421 N Arcadia Ave
Tucson, AZ 85741
(520) 225-4300
Gr: 9-12
Rank: #1414.
Mesquite Elementary School
(Math: 72% | Reading: 71%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
9455 E Rita Rd
Tucson, AZ 85747
(520) 879-2102
Gr: K-5 | 640 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 65%
Rank: #1515.
Sunrise Drive Elementary School
(Math: 64% | Reading: 76%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
5301 E Sunrise Dr
Tucson, AZ 85718
(520) 209-7900
Gr: K-5 | 469 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 53%
Rank: #1616.
Hermosa Montessori Charter
Charter School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
12051 E Fort Lowell Rd
Tucson, AZ 85749
(520) 749-5518
Gr: K-8 | 230 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 36%
Rank: #1717.
Ventana Vista Elementary School
(Math: 64% | Reading: 70%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
6085 N Kolb Rd
Tucson, AZ 85750
(520) 209-8000
Gr: K-5 | 411 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 48%
Rank: #1818.
Tanque Verde Elementary School
(Math: 70% | Reading: 66%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
2600 N Fennimore Ave
Tucson, AZ 85749
(520) 749-4244
Gr: PK-6 | 582 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 29%
Rank: #1919.
Canyon View Elementary School
(Math: 64% | Reading: 67%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
5725 N Sabino Canyon Rd
Tucson, AZ 85750
(520) 209-7700
Gr: PK-5 | 394 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 43%
Rank: #20 - 2120. - 21.
Corona Foothills Middle School
(Math: 61% | Reading: 69%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
16705 S Houghton Rd
Vail, AZ 85641
(520) 879-3500
Gr: 6-8 | 619 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 45%
Rank: #20 - 2120. - 21.
Sam Hughes Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
700 N Wilson Ave
Tucson, AZ 85719
(520) 232-7400
Gr: PK-5 | 365 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 59%
Rank: #2222.
Empire High School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
10701 E Mary Ann Cleveland Way
Tucson, AZ 85747
(520) 879-3000
Gr: 9-12 | 886 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 49%
Rank: #2323.
Manzanita School
(Math: 60% | Reading: 69%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
3000 E Manzanita Ave
Tucson, AZ 85718
(520) 209-7800
Gr: K-5 | 579 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 39%
Rank: #24 - 2524. - 25.
Khalsa School
Charter School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
3701 E River Rd
Tucson, AZ 85718
(520) 529-3611
Gr: K-8 | 238 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 39%
Rank: #24 - 2524. - 25.
Leman Academy Of Excellence-oro Valley Arizona
Charter School
(Math: 65% | Reading: 64%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
1410 W Tangerine Rd
Tucson, AZ 85715
(520) 912-4005
Gr: K-8 | 944 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 43%
Rank: #2626.
Desert Willow Elementary School
(Math: 68% | Reading: 62%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
9400 E Esmond Loop
Tucson, AZ 85747
(520) 879-2302
Gr: K-5 | 811 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 63%
Rank: #27 - 2827. - 28.
Painted Sky Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
12620 N Woodburne Ave
Tucson, AZ 85755
(520) 696-3800
Gr: PK-5 | 416 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 39%
Rank: #27 - 2827. - 28.
Tanque Verde High School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
4201 N Melpomene Way
Tucson, AZ 85749
(520) 760-0801
Gr: 9-12 | 761 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 31%
Rank: #2929.
Copper Ridge Elementary School
(Math: 70% | Reading: 60%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
17650 S Canyon Edge Trl
Vail, AZ 85641
(520) 879-3700
Gr: PK-5 | 366 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 48%
Rank: #3030.
Vail Academy & High School
(Math: 60% | Reading: 66%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
7762 E Science Park Dr
Vail, AZ 85641
(520) 879-1900
Gr: K-12 | 625 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Minority enrollment: 63%
Rank: #3131.
Catalina Foothills High School
(Math: 52% | Reading: 74%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
4300 E Sunrise Dr
Tucson, AZ 85718
(520) 209-8300
Gr: 9-12 | 1,865 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 46%
Rank: #3232.
Pcjted - Vail High School
Vocational School
(Math: 60-79% | Reading: 60-79% )
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
7762 E Science Park Dr
Tucson, AZ 85741
(520) 352-5833
Gr: 9-12
Rank: #3333.
Vail Blended Learning
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
10775 E Mary Ann Cleveland Way
Tucson, AZ 85747
(520) 879-1300
Gr: 6-12 | 72 students Student-teacher ratio: 72:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
Rank: #34 - 3534. - 35.
Agua Caliente School
(Math: 56% | Reading: 67%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
11420 E Limberlost Rd
Tucson, AZ 85749
(520) 749-2235
Gr: PK-6 | 449 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 26%
Rank: #34 - 3534. - 35.
Leman Academy Of Excellence
Charter School
(Math: 56% | Reading: 67%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
7720 N Silverbell Rd
Tucson, AZ 85743
(520) 639-8080
Gr: K-8 | 1,167 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 56%
Show 100 more public schools in Pima County, AZ (out of 385 total schools)
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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public schools in Pima County, AZ?
The top-ranked public schools in Pima County, AZ include University High School, Basis Oro Valley and Basis Oro Valley Primary.
How many public schools are located in Pima County?
386 public schools are located in Pima County.
What percentage of students in Pima County go to public school?
91% of all K-12 students in Pima County are educated in public schools (compared to the AZ state average of 94%).
What is the racial composition of students in Pima County?
Pima County public schools minority enrollment is 72% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Arizona public schools average of 67% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in Pima County are often viewed compared to one another?

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