For the 2026 school year, there are 7 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 average math proficiency score of 17% (versus the Arizona public high school average of 35%), and reading proficiency 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 Graduation Rate 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)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Pinnacle Charter Schools - Nogales Campus
Alternative School
Charter School
Charter School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
8 N Morley Avenue
Nogales, AZ 85621
(888) 746-3301
Nogales, AZ 85621
(888) 746-3301
Gr: 9-12 | 58 students
Rank: #22.
Patagonia Union High School
(Math: 21-39% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
200 Naugle Avenue
Patagonia, AZ 85624
(520) 394-3000
Patagonia, AZ 85624
(520) 394-3000
Gr: 9-12 | 80 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 75%
Rank: #33.
Nogales High School
(Math: 21% | Reading: 42%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1905 N Apache Blvd
Nogales, AZ 85621
(520) 377-2021
Nogales, AZ 85621
(520) 377-2021
Gr: 9-12 | 1,795 student Student-teacher ratio: 25:1
Rank: #44.
Pierson High School
Alternative School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
451 N. Arroyo Blvd
Nogales, AZ 85621
(520) 287-0915
Nogales, AZ 85621
(520) 287-0915
Gr: 9-12 | 155 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1
Rank: #55.
Rio Rico High School
(Math: 15% | Reading: 30%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
590 N. Camino Galindo
Rio Rico, AZ 85648
(520) 375-8700
Rio Rico, AZ 85648
(520) 375-8700
Gr: 9-12 | 1,403 student Student-teacher ratio: 25:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: #66.
Nusd Online
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: 20-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
451 N Arroyo Blvd
Nogales, AZ 85621
(520) 287-0915
Nogales, AZ 85621
(520) 287-0915
Gr: K-12 | 186 students Student-teacher ratio: 186:1
Rank: n/an/a
590 Camino Lito Galindo
Rio Rico, AZ 85648
(520) 375-8700
Rio Rico, AZ 85648
(520) 375-8700
Gr: K-12
Santa Cruz County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
Aoc-santa Cruz County Juvenile Detention Center (Closed 2023)
Alternative School
1260 N Hohokam Dr
Nogales, AZ 85621
(520) 375-8193
Nogales, AZ 85621
(520) 375-8193
Gr: 3-12
Jail-santa Cruz County Sheriffs Office Elementary School (Closed 2023)
Alternative School
1250 N Hohokam Dr
Nogales, AZ 85628
(520) 761-7869
Nogales, AZ 85628
(520) 761-7869
Gr: 9-12
Nogales Special Programs (Closed 2023)
Special Education School
310 W Plum St
Nogales, AZ 85621
(520) 287-0800
Nogales, AZ 85621
(520) 287-0800
Gr: Inquire with school | 58 students Student-teacher ratio: 2:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
P.o. Box 254
Patagonia, AZ 85624
(520) 394-3000
Patagonia, AZ 85624
(520) 394-3000
Gr: 6-8 | 45 students Minority enrollment: 64%
131 Camino Maricopa
Rio Rico, AZ 85648
(520) 281-8282
Rio Rico, AZ 85648
(520) 281-8282
Gr: PK-5
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