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University High School

Public Grades 8-12
12th
SchoolDigger Rank ?
of 271 Arizona High Schools
Better than 96% of Arizona high schools
Summary

Located in Tucson, Arizona, University High School is a public high school serving grades 8-12 with a total enrollment of 1,001 students. Despite being part of the Tucson Unified School District, which is ranked 208 out of 289 districts in the state, University High School has consistently been one of the top-performing high schools in Arizona, maintaining a 5-star rating from SchoolDigger.

The school's exceptional academic performance is evident across multiple metrics. In the 2024-2025 school year, University High School had a 98% proficiency rate in English Language Arts and Mathematics for 11th-grade students, significantly outperforming the district's 35% and 23% proficiency rates, as well as the state's 40% and 30% proficiency rates, respectively. The school's science proficiency rate for 11th-grade students was also impressive at 55%, compared to the district's 14% and the state's 19%. Additionally, University High School maintains a high four-year graduation rate, ranging from 76.6% to 82.4% over the past few years, and a relatively low dropout rate of 3.9% to 6.6%.

One of the notable strengths of University High School is its ability to serve a diverse student population and achieve high outcomes across various subgroups. The school ranks highly in the state for different student demographics, including female students, male students, Asian students, Hispanic students, Native American students, white students, multi-racial students, and students from low socioeconomic backgrounds. This suggests that the school has effective strategies and practices in place to support the academic success of all its students. Furthermore, University High School achieves these exceptional results while spending less per student compared to some nearby schools, indicating efficient resource allocation and effective use of available funds.

982
Students ?
23.1
Student/teacher ratio ?
0.3%
Free/discounted lunch ?
 421 N Arcadia Ave
       Tucson, AZ  85711-3032

(520) 232-5900

District: Tucson Unified District


Feeder schools for University High School:

Elementary:    Anna Henry Elementary School
    Annie Kellond Elementary School
    Blenman Elementary School
    Bloom Elementary
    More...
Middle:    Alice Vail Middle School
    Anna Lawrence Intermediate School
    Doolen Middle School
    Gridley Middle School
    More...
Racial breakdown:

White:
38.4%
Hispanic:
32.2%
Asian:
15.2%
more
 See top rated Arizona high schools

 Compare University High School to nearby high schools!
At a glance
Ranking trend: Holding steady — 99th percentile in 2013 → 96th in 2025
Strengths
Test scores above the Arizona average (84% vs 30% meeting standards)
Ranks in the top 4% of Arizona high schools
95% graduate in 4 years — above the Arizona average (77%)
Worth a look
!Some student groups rank well below the school's overall statewide standing
!Large classes — about 23 students per teacher
Students meeting standards (2024-2025) ?
This school84%
District avg24%
Arizona avg30%
12th of 271
Arizona public high schools ?
Top 4%▼ down 4 pts since 2015
From top 1% (2015) to top 4% (2025)
See the entire ranking list of Arizona High Schools →
SchoolDigger rating ?
1st of 9High Schools in the Tucson Unified District
208th of 289Tucson Unified District among Arizona districts
Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)
Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

YearAvg scoreStatewide rankArizona percentileRating
202597.112 of 27195.6%★★★★★
202499.27 of 27097.4%★★★★★
202399.312 of 46997.4%★★★★★
202299.312 of 46497.4%★★★★★
202199.813 of 50997.4%★★★★★
201898.28 of 42098.1%★★★★★
201799.19 of 41697.8%★★★★★
201699.81 of 40699.8%★★★★★
201598.41 of 26199.6%★★★★★
201395.15 of 49199.0%★★★★★
201294.88 of 47198.3%★★★★★
201196.65 of 39798.7%★★★★★
201096.25 of 40398.8%★★★★★
200996.25 of 39598.7%★★★★★

African American

YearAvg scoreStatewide rankArizona percentileRating
202298.710 of 30196.7%★★★★★
202160.384 of 30672.5%★★★★☆

Asian

YearAvg scoreStatewide rankArizona percentileRating
202567.79 of 3574.3%★★★★☆
202290.110 of 23895.8%★★★★★
202191.61 of 23199.6%★★★★☆
201895.81 of 8398.8%★★★★★

Female

YearAvg scoreStatewide rankArizona percentileRating
202594.311 of 20794.7%★★★★★
202498.86 of 20097.0%★★★★★
202398.84 of 40699.0%★★★★★
202298.315 of 45696.7%★★★★★
202199.92 of 49299.6%★★★★★
201899.12 of 35499.4%★★★★★

Hispanic

YearAvg scoreStatewide rankArizona percentileRating
202599.72 of 17698.9%★★★★★
202499.91 of 17099.4%★★★★★
202399.44 of 37998.9%★★★★★
202299.711 of 44197.5%★★★★★
2021100.09 of 47998.1%★★★★★
201899.71 of 31199.7%★★★★★

Low Socio Economic Status

YearAvg scoreStatewide rankArizona percentileRating
202599.64 of 18097.8%★★★★★
2024100.02 of 17298.8%★★★★★
202399.65 of 34798.6%★★★★★
202299.43 of 16898.2%★★★★★

Male

YearAvg scoreStatewide rankArizona percentileRating
202598.85 of 22397.8%★★★★★
202497.96 of 21997.3%★★★★★
202399.49 of 42997.9%★★★★★
202299.311 of 45597.6%★★★★★
202198.723 of 49295.3%★★★★★
201899.22 of 37099.5%★★★★★

Military Connected

YearAvg scoreStatewide rankArizona percentileRating
202265.437 of 12570.4%★★★★☆

Multi-racial

YearAvg scoreStatewide rankArizona percentileRating
202496.52 of 3794.6%★★★★★
202293.330 of 28289.4%★★★★☆
202198.21 of 37499.7%★★★★★

Native American

YearAvg scoreStatewide rankArizona percentileRating
202299.51 of 25599.6%★★★★★

White

YearAvg scoreStatewide rankArizona percentileRating
202398.54 of 37198.9%★★★★★
202297.615 of 40996.3%★★★★★
202196.918 of 44896.0%★★★★★
201899.41 of 29199.7%★★★★★
How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)
Native American (2022)100th percentile~ school
White (2023)99th percentile~ school
Hispanic (2025)99th percentile+3 vs school
Low Socio Economic Status (2025)98th percentile~ school
Male (2025)98th percentile~ school
African American (2022)97th percentile~ school
Female (2025)95th percentile~ school
Multi-racial (2024)95th percentile-3 vs school
Asian (2025)74th percentile-21 vs school
Military Connected (2022)70th percentile-27 vs school
By subject vs Arizona (2024-2025) ?
English Language Arts98%+58 vs state
Mathematics98%+68 vs state
Science55%+36 vs state

3.7
3 ratings · 2 written reviews
52
40
30
20
11
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What people are saying
by a parent
Thursday, May 21, 2026

Open Quote Our experience with this school was deeply disappointing, especially given its reputation as a place for gifted, university‑bound students. My son—who ultimately graduated from another local high school with a 4.4 GPA—was essentially pushed out after he became injured and bedridden for several months. Instead of supporting a high‑achieving student during a medical crisis, the administration denied him a 504 plan and refused to work with us in any meaningful way.

Teachers stopped responding to emails. The principal would not return calls or messages. Every attempt to advocate for my son was met with silence or resistance. The current administration is unresponsive, punitive, and shows little interest in helping students succeed when circumstances become challenging.

There are many excellent schools in Tucson with leadership that genuinely cares about students and partners with families. Unfortunately, this is not one of them. Based on our experience, I cannot recommend this school to any family looking for a supportive, student‑centered environment. Close Quote


by a parent
Monday, May 7, 2012

Open Quote My daughter is a Junior at UHS. Her writing scores have improved and she ranked in the top 50000 of 1.5 million students who took the PSAT this year. AP US History is a phenomenal class and the rigor is evident in all of the core subjects. The faculty is generally exceptional and there is such talent from UHS past, present and future. Close Quote





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Frequently Asked Questions about University High School

In the 2024-25 school year, 982 students attended University High School.

Students at University High School are 38% White, 32% Hispanic, 15% Asian, 10% Two or more races, 4% African American.

University High School is fed by the following schools:

Elementary : Anna Henry Elementary School
Elementary : Annie Kellond Elementary School
Elementary : Blenman Elementary School
Elementary : Bloom Elementary
Elementary : Bonillas Elementary Basic Curriculum Magnet School
Elementary : Booth-Fickett Math/Science Magnet School
Elementary : Borman K-8 School
Elementary : Borton Primary Magnet School
Elementary : C E Rose Elementary School
Elementary : Carrillo Intermediate Magnet School
Elementary : Cavett Elementary School
Elementary : Collier Elementary School
Elementary : Cragin Elementary School
Elementary : Davidson Elementary School
Elementary : Davis Bilingual Magnet School
Elementary : Dietz K-8 School
Elementary : Drachman Primary Magnet School
Elementary : Dunham Elementary School
Elementary : Ford Elementary
Elementary : Frances J Warren Elementary School
Elementary : Fruchthendler Elementary School
Elementary : Gale Elementary School
Elementary : Harold Steele Elementary School
Elementary : Harriet Johnson Primary School
Elementary : Henry Hank Oyama
Elementary : Holladay Intermediate Magnet School
Elementary : Hollinger K-8 School
Elementary : Howell Peter Elementary
Elementary : Hudlow Elementary School
Elementary : Irene Erickson Elementary School
Elementary : John B Wright Elementary School
Elementary : John E White Elementary School
Elementary : Laura N. Banks Elementary
Elementary : Lineweaver Elementary School
Elementary : Lynn Urquides
Elementary : Maldonado Amelia Elementary School
Elementary : Manzo Elementary School
Elementary : Marshall Elementary School
Elementary : McCorkle Pk-8
Elementary : Miles-Exploratory Learning Center
Elementary : Miller Elementary School
Elementary : Mission View Elementary School
Elementary : Myers-Ganoung Elementary School
Elementary : Ochoa Elementary School
Elementary : Pueblo Gardens Elementary
Elementary : Raul Grijalva Elementary School
Elementary : Roberts Naylor
Elementary : Robins Elementary School
Elementary : Robison Elementary School
Elementary : Roskruge Bilingual Magnet Middle School
Elementary : Safford K-8 School
Elementary : Sam Hughes Elementary
Elementary : Soleng Tom Elementary School
Elementary : Tolson Elementary School
Elementary : Tully Elementary Accelerated Magnet School
Elementary : Van Buskirk Elementary School
Elementary : Vesey Elementary School
Elementary : W Arthur Sewel Elementary School
Elementary : W V Whitmore Elementary School
Elementary : Wheeler Elementary School
Middle : Alice Vail Middle School
Middle : Anna Lawrence Intermediate School
Middle : Doolen Middle School
Middle : Gridley Middle School
Middle : Magee Middle School
Middle : Mansfeld Middle Magnet School
Middle : Pistor Middle School
Middle : Secrist Middle School
Middle : Utterback Middle School
Middle : Valencia Middle School

Yes! University High School is one of the best high schools in the state. It ranks 12th of 271 Arizona high schools.


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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Arizona Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.





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