Pima County Schools & Education
Pima County, Arizona
NCES + U.S. Census BureauSchool Score
2/100
Higher = better
Rating
Below Average
Graduation Rate
71.8%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
71.8%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 81.0%
Per-Pupil Spending
$5,007
National avg $13,239
State avg $5,607
School Score
2/100
Higher = better
State avg 14/100
Student-Teacher Ratio
N/A
National avg 15.8 : 1
Free Lunch (Median)
N/A
National median 48.2%
State School Rank
#15
of 15 counties (1 = best)
Education Advisory: Pima County
School Verdict
Pima County faces educational challenges with a school score of 2/100 and a graduation rate of 71.8%, falling below typical benchmarks.
Funding Context
At $5,007 per pupil, Pima County operates with limited funding, which may constrain staffing, materials, and extracurricular offerings.
Attainment Context
Educational attainment data for Pima County is not available.
Neighbor Context
Its school score is 88% below the Arizona average, and its graduation rate trails the state average by 9.2 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 11% lower than the state norm.
Education Overview
About Schools in Pima County, Arizona
A Massive Urban Education Infrastructure
Pima County operates a robust system of 371 public schools serving over 142,000 students. This expansive network is managed by 74 different districts, making it one of the largest educational hubs in the Southwest.
Performance Challenges in a Large System
Pima's graduation rate of 71.8% trails both the state average of 81% and the national average of 87%. Per-pupil spending stands at $5,007, trailing the state average and falling well short of the $13,000 national median.
Tucson Unified and the Charter Surge
Tucson Unified District dominates the landscape with 41,511 students enrolled in 90 different schools. Charter schools are highly prevalent here, making up 23.5% of all schools and providing diverse options for local families.
Bustling City Schools and Suburban Hubs
Most students attend one of the 215 schools located in city centers, where campuses like Tucson Magnet High serve over 3,100 students. The average school size is 440, though the county maintains a mix of large suburban high schools and smaller urban charters.
Choosing the Right Neighborhood for Schools
With 74 districts to choose from, Pima County offers vastly different educational experiences from Vail to Tucson. Smart homebuyers prioritize school district boundaries as a key factor in their real estate search.
School Overview
Total Schools
371
in Pima County
Total Enrollment
142,858
students
School Districts
74
districts
Charter Schools
87
23% of total
Student-Teacher Ratio
—
county average
Free Lunch (Median)
—
of students countywide
School Type Breakdown
74 School Districts in Pima County
Tucson Unified District (4403)
Sunnyside Unified District (4407)
Vail Unified District (4413)
Marana Unified District (4404)
Amphitheater Unified District (4406)
Sahuarita Unified District (4411)
Flowing Wells Unified District (4405)
Catalina Foothills Unified District (4410)
Leman Academy of Excellence Inc. (92730)
Tanque Verde Unified District (4408)
371 Public Schools in Pima County
| School Name | District | Grades | Type | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tucson Magnet High School | Tucson Unified District (4403) | 8–12 | High | 3,162 |
| Marana High School | Marana Unified District (4404) | 9–12 | High | 2,379 |
| Sunnyside High School | Sunnyside Unified District (4407) | 9–12 | High | 2,204 |
| Desert View High School | Sunnyside Unified District (4407) | 9–12 | High | 2,169 |
| Cienega High School | Vail Unified District (4413) | 9–12 | High | 1,913 |
| Catalina Foothills High School | Catalina Foothills Unified District (4410) | 9–12 | High | 1,887 |
| Mountain View High School | Marana Unified District (4404) | 9–12 | High | 1,831 |
| Pueblo High School | Tucson Unified District (4403) | 8–12 | High | 1,831 |
| Cholla High School | Tucson Unified District (4403) | 8–12 | High | 1,760 |
| Flowing Wells High School | Flowing Wells Unified District (4405) | 9–12 | High | 1,694 |
| Canyon Del Oro High School | Amphitheater Unified District (4406) | 9–12 | High | 1,691 |
| Ironwood Ridge High School | Amphitheater Unified District (4406) | 9–12 | High | 1,556 |
| Sahuaro High School | Tucson Unified District (4403) | 8–12 | High | 1,432 |
| Legacy Traditional School - Northwest Tucson | Legacy Traditional School - Northwest Tucson (91137) | KG–8 | Charter | 1,321 |
| Rincon High School | Tucson Unified District (4403) | 8–12 | High | 1,273 |
| Anza Trail | Sahuarita Unified District (4411) | KG–8 | Primary | 1,223 |
| Amphitheater High School | Amphitheater Unified District (4406) | 9–12 | High | 1,163 |
| Mica Mountain High | Vail Unified District (4413) | 9–12 | High | 1,161 |
| Leman Academy of Excellence | Leman Academy of Excellence Inc. (92730) | KG–8 | Charter | 1,146 |
| Sahuarita High School | Sahuarita Unified District (4411) | 9–12 | High | 1,146 |
Legacy Traditional School - Northwest Tucson (91137)
Educational Attainment
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$5,007
State avg $5,607
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do schools in Pima County rate?
What is the graduation rate in Pima County?
How much does Pima County spend per student?
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Pima County, Arizona — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Pima County, Arizona?
Pima County operates a robust system of 371 public schools serving over 142,000 students. This expansive network is managed by 74 different districts, making it one of the largest educational hubs in the Southwest.
How do schools in Pima County perform academically?
Pima's graduation rate of 71.8% trails both the state average of 81% and the national average of 87%. Per-pupil spending stands at $5,007, trailing the state average and falling well short of the $13,000 national median.
What are the major school districts in Pima County, Arizona?
Tucson Unified District dominates the landscape with 41,511 students enrolled in 90 different schools. Charter schools are highly prevalent here, making up 23.5% of all schools and providing diverse options for local families.
What is the school experience like in Pima County?
Most students attend one of the 215 schools located in city centers, where campuses like Tucson Magnet High serve over 3,100 students. The average school size is 440, though the county maintains a mix of large suburban high schools and smaller urban charters.
How can I find homes near good schools in Pima County, Arizona?
With 74 districts to choose from, Pima County offers vastly different educational experiences from Vail to Tucson. Smart homebuyers prioritize school district boundaries as a key factor in their real estate search.
Counties with Similar School Profile
Data Sources
Education data sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey. School scores are derived composite metrics.
Data is informational only. Coverage varies by county and reporting year. Not for use as the sole basis for educational decisions.