Cholla High School is a public high school, located on the West Side of Tucson, Arizona, United States. Cholla is a magnet high school in the Tucson Unified School District and serves over 1,700, students, grades 9–12. The school name originates from the cholla cactus, which is prominent throughout Tucson and Arizona.
Serving 1,668 students in grades 8-12, Cholla High School ranks in the bottom 50% of all schools in Arizona for overall test scores (math proficiency is bottom 50%, and reading proficiency is bottom 50%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 17% (which is lower than the Arizona state average of 35%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 18% (which is lower than the Arizona state average of 40%).
The student:teacher ratio of 17:1 is equal to the Arizona state level of 17:1.
Minority enrollment is 92% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is higher than the Arizona state average of 66% (majority Hispanic).
Quick Stats (2025)
- Grades: 8-12
- Enrollment: 1,668 students
- Student:Teacher Ratio: 17:1
- Minority Enrollment: 92%
- Graduation Rate: 87% (Top 50% in AZ)
- Overall Testing Rank: Bottom 50%
- Math Proficiency: 17% (Btm 50%)
- Reading Proficiency: 18% (Btm 50%)
- Science Proficiency: 8% (Btm 50%)
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), AZ Dept. of Education
School Overview
Cholla High School's student population of 1,668 students has declined by 10% over five school years.
The teacher population of 99 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades 8-12
(No virtual instruction)
(No virtual instruction)
Total Students
1,668 students
Gender %
Total Classroom Teachers
99 teachers
Year Founded
1969
Colors
Navy Blue, Orange
School Calendar
School Rankings
Cholla High School ranks within the bottom 50% of all 1,956 schools in Arizona (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Cholla High School is 0.35, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.66. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#1570 out of 1956 schools
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
17%
35%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
18%
40%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
8%
24%
Student : Teacher Ratio
17:1
17:1
American Indian
7%
5%
Asian
1%
3%
Hispanic
80%
48%
Black
2%
6%
White
8%
34%
Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
Two or more races
2%
4%
All Ethnic Groups
Graduation Rate
87%
77%
Eligible for Free Lunch
70%
40%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
8%
10%
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), AZ Dept. of Education
School Notes
- School Mascot: Charger
Profile last updated: 02/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Cholla High School's ranking?
Cholla High School is ranked #1570 out of 1,956 schools, which ranks it among the bottom 50% of public schools in Arizona.
What schools are Cholla High School often compared to?
Cholla High Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Flowing Wells High School, Tucson Magnet High School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
17% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 35% AZ state average), while 18% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 40% AZ state average).
What is the graduation rate of Cholla High School?
The graduation rate of Cholla High School is 87%, which is higher than the Arizona state average of 77%.
How many students attend Cholla High School?
1,668 students attend Cholla High School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
80% of Cholla High School students are Hispanic, 8% of students are White, 7% of students are American Indian, 2% of students are Black, 2% of students are Two or more races, and 1% of students are Asian.
What is the student:teacher ratio of Cholla High School?
Cholla High School has a student ration of 17:1, which is equal to the Arizona state average of 17:1.
What grades does Cholla High School offer ?
Cholla High School offers enrollment in grades 8-12 (No virtual instruction).
What school district is Cholla High School part of?
Cholla High School is part of Tucson Unified District (4403) School District.
In what neighborhood is Cholla High School located?
Cholla High School is located in the A Mountain neighborhood of Tucson, AZ. There are 1 other public schools located in A Mountain.
School Reviews
Review Cholla High School. Reviews should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:
- Quality of academic programs, teachers, and facilities
- Availability of music, art, sports and other extracurricular activities
Recent Articles
Texas Schools: The Voucher/School Choice Debate
The issue of school choice and a voucher system is currently being revisited in Houston and across the state of Texas, with strong opinions on both sides of the debate.
Fuel Up to Play 60 Focuses on Integrating Fitness and Wellness into the School Day
What if NFL players came to your school? With the Fuel Up to Play 60 program, sponsored by the National Dairy Council and the NFL, nutrition and exercise are promoted during the school day. NFL players participate in the program by coming to schools and talking to students about fitness. Learn more about the program and some of the schools that are implementing it.
What Parents Need to Know About Lunch Shaming
Students all over the nation go hungry every day not because their schools don’t offer lunch, but because they refuse them to children with outstanding debts. Read on to learn about the horror that is lunch shaming and what can be done about it.
