Serving 1,592 students in grades 9-12, Thunderbird High School ranks in the top 30% of all schools in Arizona for overall test scores (math proficiency is top 30%, and reading proficiency is top 30%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 48% (which is higher than the Arizona state average of 34%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 53% (which is higher than the Arizona state average of 40%).
The student-teacher ratio of 24:1 is higher than the Arizona state level of 17:1.
Minority enrollment is 64% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is lower than the Arizona state average of 67% (majority Hispanic).
Quick Facts (26-27)
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 1,592 students
- Student-Teacher Ratio: 24:1
- Minority Enrollment: 64%
- Graduation Rate: 90% (Top 50% in AZ)
- Overall Testing Rank: Top 30%
- Math Proficiency: 48% (Top 30%)
- Reading Proficiency: 53% (Top 30%)
- Science Proficiency: 27% (Top 50%)
- Attendance Zone: Thunderbird High School serves the northeast part of Phoenix, AZ, covering an area of approximately 9.8 square miles. Most students live within a 5-10 minute drive, with the furthest edge of the attendance zone located about 2.7 miles from the school.
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), AZ Dept. of Education
School Overview
Thunderbird High School's student population of 1,592 students has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
The teacher population of 67 teachers has declined by 6% over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
(No virtual instruction)
(No virtual instruction)
Total Students
1,592 students
Showing 2015–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓
Total Classroom Teachers
67 teachers
Showing 2015–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓
Year Founded
1972
School Calendar
School Motto
To Empower All Students for the Choices and Challenges of the Twenty-first Century
School Rankings
Thunderbird High School ranks within the top 30% of all 1,921 schools in Arizona (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Thunderbird High School is 0.65, 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
#414 out of 1921 schools
(Top 30%)
(Top 30%)
Showing 2013–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
48%
34%
Showing 2013–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
53%
40%
Showing 2012–2022. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
27%
24%
Student-Teacher Ratio
24:1
17:1
Showing 2015–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓
American Indian
3%
5%
Showing 2015–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
Asian
2%
3%
Showing 2015–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
Hispanic
47%
49%
Showing 2015–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
Black
8%
6%
Showing 2015–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
White
36%
33%
Showing 2015–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
Two or more races
4%
4%
All Ethnic Groups
Showing 2015–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
Graduation Rate
90%
77.8%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓
Chronically Absent Students
(22-23)34.6%
41.2%
Eligible for Free Lunch
40%
41%
Showing 2014–2025. Full 21-year historical data available below ↓
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
5%
10%
Showing 2013–2025. Full 21-year historical data available below ↓
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Sports
Colors
Blue, Orange
School Mascot
Titans (formerly Chiefs)
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), AZ Dept. of Education
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Thunderbird High School's ranking?
Thunderbird High School is ranked #414 out of 1,921 schools, which ranks it among the top 30% of public schools in Arizona.
What schools are Thunderbird High School often compared to?
Thunderbird High Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Greenway High School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
48% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 34% AZ state average), while 53% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 40% AZ state average).
What is the graduation rate of Thunderbird High School?
The graduation rate of Thunderbird High School is 90%, which is higher than the Arizona state average of 77.8%.
How many students attend Thunderbird High School?
1,592 students attend Thunderbird High School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
47% of Thunderbird High School students are Hispanic, 36% of students are White, 8% of students are Black, 4% of students are Two or more races, 3% of students are American Indian, and 2% of students are Asian.
What is the student-teacher ratio of Thunderbird High School?
Thunderbird High School has a student ration of 24:1, which is higher than the Arizona state average of 17:1.
What grades does Thunderbird High School offer ?
Thunderbird High School offers enrollment in grades 9-12 (No virtual instruction).
What school district is Thunderbird High School part of?
Thunderbird High School is part of Glendale Union High School District (4285).
In what neighborhood is Thunderbird High School located?
Thunderbird High School is located in the North Mountain Village neighborhood of Phoenix, AZ. There are 34 other public schools located in North Mountain Village.
School Reviews
Review Thunderbird 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
When a Public School Cancels a Course Your Child Needs
Learn what parents can do when public schools cancel essential courses, including protecting graduation credits, finding approved alternatives, requesting substitutions, and preventing disruptions to college or career plans before deadlines.
Verify School Assignment Before Buying a House
Before buying a house, learn how to verify your child's assigned public school, check conflicting property listings, confirm enrollment eligibility, and avoid costly school assignment surprises before closing on a property.
School Bus Commute Times: What Parents Should Know
Discover how long school bus commutes really take, why routes vary, and what parents should ask about pickup times, student fatigue, transportation reliability, and daily schedules before choosing schools.
