- Enrollment
- 2,322
- Students per teacher
- 24.7:1
- Resource Index
- 18/100
High school (grades 9-12) · Phoenix, AZ
Thunderbird High School
Federal NCES profile for Thunderbird High School, including enrollment, faculty, free-lunch eligibility, demographics, and resource indicators - Resource Investment Index 26/100.
2024-25 NCES dataHigh school (grades 9-12)NCES 040345000282
👥 S:T ratio 15
🌟 Gifted program 70
🎓 Counselors 20
📋 Attendance 0
Scored 0–100 from federal NCES and CRDC indicators, resource allocation, not test scores. Full methodology →
The verdict
Thunderbird High School earns 26/100 on the Resource Investment Index, with class sizes larger than 82% of Arizona schools. It is also one of the largest schools in Arizona.
- #57 of 65
- high schools in Phoenix · Resource Index
- 26
- Resource Index · Lower
- 21.2:1
- large classes for Arizona
- 35.0%
- free-lunch eligible
Thunderbird High School has class sizes larger than 82% of Arizona schools. Computed live against every Arizona school reporting to NCES.
By Resource Investment Index, Thunderbird High School ranks #57 of 65 high schools in Phoenix, AZ.
School address
District: Glendale Union High School District (4285) · Arizona
NCES ID 040345000282 Verify on NCES CCD record →
CCD year-over-year · 2022-23 → 2023-24
+7 students YoY
Thunderbird High School held near 1,547 students from 2022-23 to 2023-24 (+7 headcount).
Teacher FTE lost 75.2 → 68.6 across the same CCD years.
Source: NCES Common Core of Data public-school universe (2022-23, 2023-24).
Steady CCD campus
+7 students YoY 040345000282 · Phoenix, AZ High · MID · TRAD
1,592 enr · 21.2:1 · 35.0% lunch · RII 26
Nearest enrollment peer: Sunnyslope High School (2,322 students)
Thunderbird High School held near 1,547 students from 2022-23 to 2023-24 (+7 headcount). Teacher FTE lost 75.2 → 68.6 across the same CCD years. Read with this school → · District book → · Arizona schools → · Find another →
Thunderbird High School in the enrollment neighbourhood
Fall enrollment among this campus and nearest district peers
- Sunnyslope Hig
Sunnyslope High School
2,322 students
- Apollo High Sc
Apollo High School
2,152 students
- Independence H
Independence High School
1,907 students
- Glendale High
Glendale High School
1,734 students
- Washington Hig
Washington High School
1,659 students
- This school
Thunderbird High School
1,592 students
What this shows Thunderbird High School reports 1,592 students on the CCD universe file.
How Thunderbird High School compares
Thunderbird 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 | 21.2:1 | ▲ 25% | 17:1 | 15.7:1 |
| Free-lunch eligible | 35.0% | ▼ 28% | 48.3% | 51.7% |
| Enrollment | 1,592 | top 5% | - | - |
Source: NCES Common Core of Data School-level CCD + state/national means from Public School Universe · 2024-25
21.2:1
Leaner classes than 12% of US schools, heavier class loads than most.
1,592
Bigger than 97% of US schools by enrollment, a large campus nationally.
Equity indicators methodology
Economic need
35.0%
free-lunch eligible
- 28% below the Arizona average of 48.3%
Below the 40% Title I threshold; federal aid targets individual qualifying students rather than schoolwide programs.
Staffing depth
21.2:1
students per teacher
- 25% above state mean
Top 82% in Arizona - lower ratio than 18% of state schools
Above 20:1, running heavier than the typical U.S. public school; staffing is comparatively stretched.
Engagement
49.0%
chronically absent (missed 10%+ of school days)
At or above 20%, the commonly used threshold for "high" chronic absenteeism, signaling significant barriers to regular attendance.
Funding equity
$10,875
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
Counselors4.0 FTE
Per 398 students, the combined health-and-guidance staffing load for this school.
Discipline context
208
in-school suspensions + 134 out-of-school
Suspension rate: 13.1 per 100 students. Combined in-school and out-of-school rate: 21.5 per 100 students. Reported via the Civil Rights Data Collection.
Student demographics
Hispanic or Latino 46.8%
White 36.5%
African American 8.0%
Two or More 4.0%
American Indian / Alaska Native 2.6%
Asian 2.0%
Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander 0.2%
Largest group: Hispanic or Latino at 46.8% of enrollment.
Student-body diversity index 63.9/100
Simpson diversity index - at 63.9, Thunderbird High School is more mixed than the Arizona school average of 47.2.
Programs
AP courses offered 17
Gifted & talented Yes
District finance for Glendale Union High School District (4285) reports $10,875 per pupil (NCES F-33) - open the district page for the full revenue mix.
How Thunderbird High School Compares to District-Mates
| School | Enrollment | Economic Profile | Student-Teacher Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sunnyslope High School | Larger | Similar economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| Apollo High School | Larger | Higher economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| Independence High School | Similar size | Higher economic need | Similar S:T ratio |
| Glendale High School | Similar size | Higher economic need | Similar S:T ratio |
| Washington High School | Similar size | Higher economic need | Similar S:T ratio |
Comparisons are relative to Thunderbird High School's own figures; each column derives from NCES Common Core of Data.
Other Schools in This District
- Enrollment
- 2,152
- Students per teacher
- 23.4:1
- Resource Index
- 23/100
- Enrollment
- 1,907
- Students per teacher
- 22.2:1
- Resource Index
- 26/100
- Enrollment
- 1,734
- Students per teacher
- 20.9:1
- Resource Index
- 37/100
- Enrollment
- 1,659
- Students per teacher
- 21.5:1
- Resource Index
- 22/100
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 (~1,592 students)
Frequently asked questions about Thunderbird High School
How many students attend Thunderbird High School?
Thunderbird High School has 1,592 students enrolled. It is a high school in Phoenix, AZ. CCD year-over-year: 1,540 (2022-23) → 1,547 (2023-24), nearly flat (+7).
What is the student-teacher ratio at Thunderbird High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Thunderbird High School is 21.2:1, which is 25% higher than the Arizona average of 17:1 and 35% higher than the national average of 15.7:1.
What percentage of students receive free lunch at Thunderbird High School?
35.0% of students at Thunderbird High School are eligible for free lunch, compared to the Arizona average of 48.3%.
What is the racial and ethnic makeup of Thunderbird High School?
The largest demographic group at Thunderbird High School is Hispanic or Latino at 46.8% of enrollment, in Phoenix, AZ. Its student body is more racially and ethnically mixed than most US schools, with a diversity index of 63.9/100.
What is the Resource Investment Index for Thunderbird High School?
Thunderbird High School has a Resource Investment Index of 26/100 (lower reported resources relative to schools nationally) based on 4 factors: student-teacher ratio, gifted-program reporting, counselor availability, chronic absenteeism. Not a test-score or academic measure (national median ~41/100, see methodology).
How does Thunderbird High School rank among high schools in Phoenix?
By Resource Investment Index, Thunderbird High School ranks #57 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 Glendale Union High School District (4285)?
Besides Thunderbird High School, Glendale Union High School District (4285) also operates Sunnyslope High School (2,322 students), Apollo High School (2,152 students), and Independence High School (1,907 students). See the Glendale Union High School District (4285) district page for the complete list.