Home > Arizona

Best Santa Cruz County Public High Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 6 public high schools serving 3,619 students in Santa Cruz County, AZ.

The top-ranked public high schools in Santa Cruz County, AZ are Pinnacle Charter Schools - Nogales Campus, Patagonia Union High School and Nogales High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.

Santa Cruz County, AZ public high schools have an score of 17% (versus the Arizona public high school average of 35%), and score of 36% (versus the 45% statewide average). High schools in Santa Cruz County have an average ranking of 4/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Arizona public high schools.

Santa Cruz County, AZ public high school have a of 86%, which is more than the Arizona average of 78%.

The school with highest graduation rate is Nogales High School, with 94% graduation rate. Read more about public school graduation rate statistics in Arizona or national school graduation rate statistics.

Minority enrollment is 98% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Arizona public high school average of 65% (majority Hispanic).

Best Public High Schools in Santa Cruz County (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)

Location

Quick Facts

Rank: #11.

Pinnacle Charter Schools - Nogales Campus

Alternative School
Charter School

(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
:

Top 20%

Add to Compare

8 N Morley Avenue
Nogales, AZ 85621
(888) 746-3301

Gr: 9-12 | 52 students

Rank: #22.

Patagonia Union High School

(Math: 21-39% | Reading: <50%)
:

Top 50%

Add to Compare

200 Naugle Avenue
Patagonia, AZ 85624
(520) 394-3000

Gr: 9-12 | 71 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 76%

Rank: #33.

Nogales High School

(Math: 21% | Reading: 42%)
:

Bottom 50%

Add to Compare

1905 N Apache Blvd
Nogales, AZ 85621
(520) 377-2021

Gr: 9-12 | 1,774 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1

Rank: #44.

Pierson High School

Alternative School

(Math: ≤10% | Reading: <50%)
:

Bottom 50%

Add to Compare

451 N. Arroyo Blvd
Nogales, AZ 85621
(520) 287-0915

Gr: 9-12 | 119 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1

Rank: #55.

Rio Rico High School

(Math: 15% | Reading: 30%)
:

Bottom 50%

Add to Compare

590 N. Camino Galindo
Rio Rico, AZ 85648
(520) 375-8700

Gr: 9-12 | 1,397 students Student-teacher ratio: 25:1 Minority enrollment: 98%

Rank: #66.

Nusd Online

(Math: ≤10% | Reading: 20-29%)
:

Bottom 50%

Add to Compare

451 N Arroyo Blvd
Nogales, AZ 85621
(520) 287-0915

Gr: K-12 | 209 students Student-teacher ratio: 52:1 Minority enrollment: 99%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public high schools in Santa Cruz County, AZ?

The top-ranked public high schools in Santa Cruz County, AZ include Pinnacle Charter Schools - Nogales Campus, Patagonia Union High School and Nogales High School.

How many public high schools are located in Santa Cruz County?

6 public high schools are located in Santa Cruz County.

What is the racial composition of students in Santa Cruz County?

Santa Cruz County public high schools minority enrollment is 98% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Arizona public high schools average of 65% (majority Hispanic).

Which public high schools in Santa Cruz County are often viewed compared to one another?

Popular comparisons of public high schools in Santa Cruz County include: Nogales High School vs. Rio Rico High School, Rio Rico High School vs. Nogales High School, Patagonia Union High School vs. Nogales High School