At a glance
Reported students
1,592
NCES CCD 2024–25
Teachers (FTE)
66.6
NCES CCD 2024–25
Student–teacher ratio
23.9:1
Calculated; not a class-size measure
Grades served
09–12
NCES preliminary directory 2025–26
School benchmarks
Arizona high enrollment
88th percentile
Compared with 770 same-level schools reporting enrollment.
District median enrollment
1,592
Thunderbird High School: 1,592 reported students.
State peer staffing position
88th percentile
23.9:1 reported; state peer median 18.1:1. Ratio is not class size.
Historical enrollment and staffing · CRDC 2021–22
These older figures are kept separate from 2024–25 statistics and benchmarks. Differences between years can reflect changes in enrollment, staffing, or reporting scope.
- Students
- 1,679
- Teachers (FTE)
- 71
- Student–teacher ratio
- 23.6:1
What the reported data says about Thunderbird High School
Thunderbird High School is a public high school serving grades 09–12 in Phoenix. It is one of 11 current school records connected to Glendale Union High School District (4285). NCES reports 1,592 students for 2024–25.
Among 770 high schools in Arizona with comparable records, this school is larger than the reported median of 80 students. Its enrollment is at approximately the 88th percentile for that peer group. Size describes the campus, not instructional quality.
The reported student–teacher ratio is 23.9:1, above the Arizona median of 18.1:1 for the same school level. This ratio uses total enrollment and teacher FTE; it is not an average classroom headcount and can be affected by special programs or part-time staffing.
The largest reported race and ethnicity groups are Hispanic or Latino (46.8%) and White (36.5%). English learners represent 2.7% of enrollment. Students served under IDEA represent 11.6%. These figures help families understand who the school serves; they are not rating inputs.
The 2021–22 civil-rights collection reports AP student enrollment, gifted and talented programming, computer science. The school reported 17 AP courses. Program availability changes, so families should confirm the current catalog and participation rules directly with the school.
Questions worth asking Thunderbird High School
- 1How do the reported 23.9:1 student–teacher ratio and 66.6 teacher FTE translate into actual class sizes by grade?
- 2Have the reported academic programs changed since the 2021–22 CRDC collection?
- 3What counseling support is available today? The school reported 4 counselor FTE in 2021–22.
- 4What meal assistance, transportation, after-school, and family-support services are currently available?
Enrollment needs
- English learners
- 2.7%
- Students with disabilities
- 11.6%
- Lunch program
- Yes participating without using any Provision or the CEO
Reported support staff
- Counselors (FTE)
- 4
- Nurses (FTE)
- 1
- Psychologists (FTE)
- 1
- Social workers (FTE)
- 1
CRDC 2021–22 full-time-equivalent counts; verify current assignments with the school.
Student demographics
Race and ethnicity share of reported enrollment
- White36.5%
- Hispanic46.8%
- Black8%
- Asian2%
- American Indian / Alaska Native2.6%
- Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander0.2%
- Multiracial4%
Race/ethnicity: NCES CCD 2024–25. English learner and disability context: CRDC 2021–22. Lunch eligibility: NCES CCD 2024–25. Privacy rules can produce missing values.
Programs reported by the school
AP student enrollment
Students enrolled
17 distinct courses reported
Gifted and talented
Offered
Computer science
Offered
CRDC 2021–22: the AP flag records student enrollment; gifted and computer-science fields describe reported programs/classes. Confirm current courses and eligibility with the school.
Other schools in Glendale Union High School District (4285)
Start with campuses at the same school level or with similar reported enrollment.
Washington High School
High · Grades 09–12
1,659 reported students
Moon Valley High School
High · Grades 09–12
1,471 reported students
Glendale High School
High · Grades 09–12
1,734 reported students
Greenway High School
High · Grades 09–12
1,318 reported students
Independence High School
High · Grades 09–12
1,907 reported students
Cortez High School
High · Grades 09–12
1,132 reported students
Public schools near Thunderbird High School
Closest campuses by straight-line distance between NCES geocodes, favoring the same school level. Distance is not drive time or an attendance assignment.
| School | Grades | Students | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| West-MEC - Thunderbird High School High · West-MEC - Western Maricopa Education Center (80923) | 09–12 | 0 | under 0.1 mi |
| Arizona Conservatory for Arts and Academics High · Charter · Edkey Inc. dba Arizona Conservatory for Arts and (79981) | 06–12 | 235 | 2.1 mi |
| West-MEC Gateway Community College High · West-MEC - Western Maricopa Education Center (80923) | 09–12 | 4 | 2.3 mi |
| Ombudsman - Charter West High · Charter · Ombudsman Educational Services Ltd.a subsidiary (4323) | 09–12 | 176 | 2.3 mi |
| West-MEC - Moon Valley High School High · West-MEC - Western Maricopa Education Center (80923) | 09–12 | 0 | 2.6 mi |
| Moon Valley High School High · Glendale Union High School District (4285) | 09–12 | 1,471 | 2.6 mi |
Frequently asked questions about Thunderbird High School
What grades does Thunderbird High School serve?
Thunderbird High School reports grades 09–12 in the NCES 2025–26 preliminary directory. It is classified as a high school in Glendale Union High School District (4285).
How many students attend Thunderbird High School?
Thunderbird High School reported 1,592 students in the NCES 2024–25 membership file. That places it near the 88th percentile among 770 Arizona high schools reporting enrollment. The 2021–22 civil-rights collection recorded 1,679 students.
What is the student–teacher ratio at Thunderbird High School?
The calculated ratio is 23.9:1, based on 1,592 students and 66.6 full-time-equivalent classroom teachers in 2024–25. The Arizona median for the same school level is 18.1:1. A ratio is not the same as average class size.
Is Thunderbird High School a public, charter, or magnet school?
Thunderbird High School is a public school and is not a charter school. Enrollment is generally based on Glendale Union High School District (4285) attendance boundaries and transfer rules.
Which school district is Thunderbird High School in?
Thunderbird High School is part of Glendale Union High School District (4285), based in Glendale, AZ, which operates 11 current schools. Confirm attendance zones and enrollment rules with the district.
What public schools are near Thunderbird High School?
The closest public schools by straight-line distance include West-MEC - Thunderbird High School (under 0.1 mi), Arizona Conservatory for Arts and Academics (2.1 mi), West-MEC Gateway Community College (2.3 mi). Distance does not determine eligibility; attendance boundaries and program rules do.