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Best Public Schools in Tucson, AZ (2026)
Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Tucson Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 336 public schools serving 122,286 students in Tucson, AZ (there are 86 private schools, serving 13,410 private students). 90% of all K-12 students in Tucson, AZ are educated in public schools (compared to the AZ state average of 94%).
The top-ranked public schools in Tucson, 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.
Tucson, AZ public schools have an average math proficiency score of 32% (versus the Arizona public school average of 34%), and reading proficiency score of 38% (versus the 41% statewide average). Schools in Tucson have an average ranking of 7/10, which is in the top 50% of Arizona public schools.
Minority enrollment is 75% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Arizona public school average of 67% (majority Hispanic).

Best Public Schools in Tucson, AZ (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: #4 - 54. - 5.
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: #4 - 54. - 5.
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: #6 - 76. - 7.
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: #6 - 76. - 7.
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: #8 - 98. - 9.
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: #8 - 98. - 9.
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: #1010.
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: #1111.
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: #1212.
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: #1313.
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: #1414.
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: #1515.
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: #1616.
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: #1717.
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: #1818.
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: #1919.
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: #2020.
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: #21 - 2221. - 22.
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: #21 - 2221. - 22.
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: #2323.
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: #24 - 2524. - 25.
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: #24 - 2524. - 25.
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: #2626.
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 student Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 46%
Rank: #2727.
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: #2828.
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: #29 - 3029. - 30.
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: #29 - 3029. - 30.
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 student Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 56%
Rank: #3131.
Orange Grove Middle School
(Math: 58% | Reading: 61%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
1911 E Orange Grove Rd
Tucson, AZ 85718
(520) 209-8200
Gr: 6-8 | 683 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 43%
Rank: #3232.
Carrillo Intermediate Magnet School
Magnet School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
440 S Main Ave
Tucson, AZ 85701
(520) 225-1200
Gr: PK-5 | 305 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 84%
Rank: #3333.
Civano Community K-8 School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
10625 E Drexel Rd
Tucson, AZ 85747
(520) 879-1700
Gr: K-8 | 145 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 53%
Rank: #34 - 3534. - 35.
Desert Sky Middle School
(Math: 56% | Reading: 58%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
9850 E Rankin Loop
Tucson, AZ 85747
(520) 879-2700
Gr: 6-8 | 743 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 61%
Rank: #34 - 3534. - 35.
Montessori Schoolhouse
Charter School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 50-59%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
1301 E Fort Lowell Rd
Tucson, AZ 85719
(520) 319-8668
Gr: K-8 | 134 students Minority enrollment: 64%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public schools in Tucson, AZ?
The top-ranked public schools in Tucson, AZ include University High School, Basis Oro Valley and Basis Oro Valley Primary.
How many public schools are located in Tucson?
336 public schools are located in Tucson.
What percentage of students in Tucson go to public school?
90% of all K-12 students in Tucson are educated in public schools (compared to the AZ state average of 94%).
What is the racial composition of students in Tucson?
Tucson public schools minority enrollment is 75% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Arizona public schools average of 67% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in Tucson are often viewed compared to one another?

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