- Enrollment
- 2,850
- Students per teacher
- 19.5:1
- Resource Index
- 45/100
High school (grades 9-12) · Phoenix, AZ
South Mountain High School
Federal NCES profile for South Mountain High School, including enrollment, faculty, free-lunch eligibility, demographics, and resource indicators - Resource Investment Index 42/100.
2024-25 NCES dataHigh school (grades 9-12)NCES 040633000552
👥 S:T ratio 20
🌟 Gifted program 70
🎓 Counselors 37
Scored 0–100 from federal NCES and CRDC indicators, resource allocation, not test scores. Full methodology →
The verdict
South Mountain High School earns 42/100 on the Resource Investment Index, with class sizes larger than 76% of Arizona schools. It is also one of the largest schools in Arizona.
- #27 of 65
- high schools in Phoenix · Resource Index
- 42
- Resource Index · Typical
- 19.9:1
- large classes for Arizona
- 77.0%
- free-lunch eligible
South Mountain High School has class sizes larger than 76% of Arizona schools. Computed live against every Arizona school reporting to NCES.
By Resource Investment Index, South Mountain High School ranks #27 of 65 high schools in Phoenix, AZ.
School address
District: Phoenix Union High School District (4286) · Arizona
NCES ID 040633000552 Verify on NCES CCD record →
CCD year-over-year · 2022-23 → 2023-24
+25 students YoY
South Mountain High School held near 2,171 students from 2022-23 to 2023-24 (+25 headcount).
Teacher FTE added 111.2 → 112.4 across the same CCD years.
Source: NCES Common Core of Data public-school universe (2022-23, 2023-24).
Steady CCD campus
+25 students YoY 040633000552 · Phoenix, AZ High · LARGE · TRAD
2,207 enr · 19.9:1 · 77.0% lunch · RII 42
Nearest enrollment peer: Trevor Browne High School (2,850 students)
South Mountain High School held near 2,171 students from 2022-23 to 2023-24 (+25 headcount). Teacher FTE added 111.2 → 112.4 across the same CCD years. Read with this school → · District book → · Arizona schools → · Find another →
South Mountain High School in the enrollment neighbourhood
Fall enrollment among this campus and nearest district peers
- Trevor Browne
Trevor Browne High School
2,850 students
- Cesar Chavez H
Cesar Chavez High School
2,598 students
- Maryvale High
Maryvale High School
2,532 students
- This school
South Mountain High School
2,207 students
- Alhambra High
Alhambra High School
2,169 students
- Camelback High
Camelback High School
2,106 students
What this shows South Mountain High School reports 2,207 students on the CCD universe file.
How South Mountain High School compares
South Mountain High School held steady on CCD headcount: ratios and free-lunch share vs Arizona and U.S. means.
| Metric | This school | vs Arizona | Arizona avg | U.S. avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Students per teacher | 19.9:1 | ▲ 17% | 17:1 | 15.7:1 |
| Free-lunch eligible | 77.0% | ▲ 59% | 48.3% | 51.7% |
| Enrollment | 2,207 | top 2% | - | - |
Source: NCES Common Core of Data School-level CCD + state/national means from Public School Universe · 2024-25
19.9:1
Leaner classes than 16% of US schools, heavier class loads than most.
2,207
Bigger than 99% of US schools by enrollment, a large campus nationally.
Equity indicators methodology
Economic need
77.0%
free-lunch eligible
- 59% above the Arizona average of 48.3%
Well above the 40% Title I schoolwide threshold, among the highest-need profiles in the state; federal funds support the whole school, not individual students.
Staffing depth
19.9:1
students per teacher
- 17% above state mean
Top 76% in Arizona - lower ratio than 24% of state schools
Between 16:1 and 20:1, squarely in the typical U.S. public-school staffing range.
Funding equity
$13,194
per pupil, district-wide
- below Arizona avg of $13,502
Well below the U.S. average per-pupil spend, a notably leaner funding position that may affect programs, facilities, and staffing.
Support staff
Counselors7.0 FTE
Per 315 students, the combined health-and-guidance staffing load for this school.
Discipline context
179
in-school suspensions + 207 out-of-school
Suspension rate: 8.1 per 100 students. Combined in-school and out-of-school rate: 17.5 per 100 students. Reported via the Civil Rights Data Collection.
Student demographics
Hispanic or Latino 78.7%
African American 15.0%
White 2.9%
Two or More 1.4%
American Indian / Alaska Native 1.3%
Asian 0.5%
Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander 0.2%
Largest group: Hispanic or Latino at 78.7% of enrollment.
Student-body diversity index 35.7/100
Simpson diversity index - at 35.7, South Mountain High School is less mixed than the Arizona school average of 47.2.
Programs
AP courses offered 8
Gifted & talented Yes
District finance for Phoenix Union High School District (4286) reports $13,194 per pupil (NCES F-33) - open the district page for the full revenue mix.
How South Mountain High School Compares to District-Mates
| School | Enrollment | Economic Profile | Student-Teacher Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trevor Browne High School | Larger | Similar economic need | Similar S:T ratio |
| Cesar Chavez High School | Similar size | Lower economic need | Similar S:T ratio |
| Maryvale High School | Similar size | Similar economic need | Lower S:T ratio |
| Alhambra High School | Similar size | Similar economic need | Lower S:T ratio |
| Camelback High School | Similar size | Similar economic need | Lower S:T ratio |
Comparisons are relative to South Mountain High School's own figures; each column derives from NCES Common Core of Data.
Other Schools in This District
- Enrollment
- 2,598
- Students per teacher
- 20.6:1
- Resource Index
- 41/100
- Enrollment
- 2,532
- Students per teacher
- 18.3:1
- Resource Index
- 47/100
- Enrollment
- 2,169
- Students per teacher
- 17.4:1
- Resource Index
- 46/100
- Enrollment
- 2,106
- Students per teacher
- 17.4:1
- Resource Index
- 47/100
Similar high schools in Phoenix
6 comparable high schools (grades 9-12) serving the same city.
Madison Highland Prep
Standard public school
510 students
Arizona Preparatory Academy
Alternative education program
233 students
Ombudsman - Charter West
Alternative education program
176 students
Skyline Prep High School
Alternative education program
167 students
Intelli-School - Paradise Valley
Alternative education program
63 students
Think Through Academy
Standard public school
61 students
Nationwide high schools with similar size or staffing
Out-of-state peers matched by enrollment and by student-teacher ratio, not the same-city or same-district lists above.
Similar enrollment (~2,207 students)
Similar student-teacher ratio (~19.9:1)
Frequently asked questions about South Mountain High School
How many students attend South Mountain High School?
South Mountain High School has 2,207 students enrolled. It is a high school in Phoenix, AZ. CCD year-over-year: 2,146 (2022-23) → 2,171 (2023-24), nearly flat (+25).
What is the student-teacher ratio at South Mountain High School?
The student-teacher ratio at South Mountain High School is 19.9:1, which is 17% higher than the Arizona average of 17:1 and 27% higher than the national average of 15.7:1.
What percentage of students receive free lunch at South Mountain High School?
77.0% of students at South Mountain High School are eligible for free lunch, compared to the Arizona average of 48.3%.
What is the racial and ethnic makeup of South Mountain High School?
The largest demographic group at South Mountain High School is Hispanic or Latino at 78.7% of enrollment, in Phoenix, AZ.
What is the Resource Investment Index for South Mountain High School?
South Mountain High School has a Resource Investment Index of 42/100 (typical reported resources relative to schools nationally) based on 3 factors: student-teacher ratio, gifted-program reporting, counselor availability. Not a test-score or academic measure (national median ~41/100, see methodology).
How does South Mountain High School rank among high schools in Phoenix?
By Resource Investment Index, South Mountain High School ranks #27 of 65 high schools in Phoenix, AZ. This compares federal resource and staffing data among local peers; it is not a test-score or academic ranking. See all high schools in Phoenix on the city page.
What other schools are in Phoenix Union High School District (4286)?
Besides South Mountain High School, Phoenix Union High School District (4286) also operates Trevor Browne High School (2,850 students), Cesar Chavez High School (2,598 students), and Maryvale High School (2,532 students). See the Phoenix Union High School District (4286) district page for the complete list.