Photo: 0pen$0urce · CC BY-SA 4.0Vail’s public schools outscore 85% of Arizona districts
62% of students in Vail’s public schools are proficient in math, above the Arizona average (35%). The grade covers the public school district serving Vail, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Arizona, not nationally.
From Arizona state tests taken in spring 2022, when 100% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Vail’s schools, in brief
Better than its incomes would predict
Among the 44 Arizona towns with household incomes within a quarter of Vail’s, its schools beat 91%, higher than their 85% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 62% and math 62% in spring 2022, against 40% and 35% statewide; 92% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 78%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $10,173 per student, against $12,318 across Arizona (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
One elementary school, then one middle and one high school
From grade 6 the district’s path is Old Vail Middle School, then Cienega High School. Enrollment is up 10% since 2020–21. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Christ Lutheran Vail Ec and Edu Creation School (private) is in town. Every school ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Vail’s grade
A: better than 85% of Arizona school districts, #2 of 139 Arizona towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the Arizona average; test scores are the stronger of the two.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Vail, with each school’s own grade.
Pre-K in Vail · depends on your address
Ocotillo Ridge Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 723 students · 14:1 students per teacher
Vail Inclusive Preschool
Grades PK · 151 students
Vail’s public schools are run by Vail Unified District, which also serves Tucson. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
The district
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Well above the state in reading
Vail vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Arizona towns that share Vail’s borders.
Every school in Vail
5 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Arizona’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Left off: 2 public programs with fewer than 25 students (PCJTED - Cienega High School and Pantano Middle School).
Questions about Vail’s schools
Are Vail’s schools good?
By Arizona’s own tests, yes: the public schools Vail children attend outscore 85% of Arizona’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A Schools grade, #2 of 139 Arizona towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 91%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Vail in?
Vail Unified District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 15,011 students in 24 schools (2024–25).
Where do Vail kids go to high school?
Cienega High School, with 1,881 students; its own test results earn an A−.
What is Vail’s graduation rate?
92% of the class of 2023 in Vail Unified District graduated in four years, against 78% across Arizona.
How much does Vail spend per student?
$10,173 in Vail Unified District (FY2024), against $12,318 across Arizona. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Vail?
Yes: Christ Lutheran Vail Ec and Edu Creation School (religious, grades PK–5, 79 students).
Parents talk
What Vail families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Vail → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Arizona. Stars are from neighbors.