Cortez High School is located in Phoenix, Arizona at 8828 N 31st Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85051. It is part of the Glendale Union High School District. The mascot is the Colt and the school colors are primarily black and white with red used as an alternate color.
Serving 1,105 students in grades 9-12, Cortez High School ranks in the bottom 50% of all schools in Arizona for overall test scores (math proficiency is bottom 50%, and reading proficiency is bottom 50%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 20-24% (which is lower than the Arizona state average of 34%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 37% (which is lower than the Arizona state average of 40%).
The student:teacher ratio of 22:1 is higher than the Arizona state level of 17:1.
Minority enrollment is 87% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is higher than the Arizona state average of 66% (majority Hispanic).
Quick Stats (2025)
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 1,105 students
- Student:Teacher Ratio: 22:1
- Minority Enrollment: 87%
- Graduation Rate: 85% (Top 50% in AZ)
- Overall Testing Rank: Bottom 50%
- Math Proficiency: 20-24% (Btm 50%)
- Reading Proficiency: 37% (Top 50%)
- Science Proficiency: 10% (Btm 50%)
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), AZ Dept. of Education
School Overview
Cortez High School's student population of 1,105 students has declined by 8% over five school years.
The teacher population of 51 teachers has declined by 12% over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
(No virtual instruction)
(No virtual instruction)
Total Students
1,105 students
Gender %
Total Classroom Teachers
51 teachers
Year Founded
1960
Colors
White, Black, Red
School Rankings
Cortez High School ranks within the bottom 50% of all 1,921 schools in Arizona (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Cortez High School is 0.58, 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
#999 out of 1921 schools
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
20-24%
34%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
37%
40%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
10%
24%
Student : Teacher Ratio
22:1
17:1
American Indian
4%
5%
Asian
5%
3%
Hispanic
62%
48%
Black
13%
6%
White
13%
34%
Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
Two or more races
3%
4%
All Ethnic Groups
Graduation Rate
85%
77%
Eligible for Free Lunch
73%
40%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
9%
10%
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), AZ Dept. of Education
School Notes
- School Mascot: Calvin The Colt
Profile last updated: 02/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Cortez High School's ranking?
Cortez High School is ranked #999 out of 1,921 schools, which ranks it among the bottom 50% of public schools in Arizona.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
20-24% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 34% AZ state average), while 37% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 40% AZ state average).
What is the graduation rate of Cortez High School?
The graduation rate of Cortez High School is 85%, which is higher than the Arizona state average of 77%.
How many students attend Cortez High School?
1,105 students attend Cortez High School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
62% of Cortez High School students are Hispanic, 13% of students are Black, 13% of students are White, 5% of students are Asian, 4% of students are American Indian, and 3% of students are Two or more races.
What is the student:teacher ratio of Cortez High School?
Cortez High School has a student ration of 22:1, which is higher than the Arizona state average of 17:1.
What grades does Cortez High School offer ?
Cortez High School offers enrollment in grades 9-12 (No virtual instruction).
What school district is Cortez High School part of?
Cortez High School is part of Glendale Union High School District (4285).
In what neighborhood is Cortez High School located?
Cortez 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 Cortez 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

The 15 Biggest Failures of the American Public Education System
The world is in a constant state of change and those who fail to adjust fall behind. Unfortunately, the American public education system has not kept up with the times and is currently facing a number of serious problems. Keep reading to learn about the biggest failures affecting the modern U.S. public education system as well as some of the trends that could spark change.

Florida Governor Calls for More Funding for State鈥檚 Public School System
Florida Governor Rick Scott has introduced a state budget for next year that pumps one billion more dollars into the public school system. We鈥檒l look at his reasons for the increase and the responses to the proposal.

Can Your Child鈥檚 School Meet the National Standards?
The article discusses the challenges public schools face in meeting national educational standards. It examines current performance trends, identifies key issues affecting student achievement, and explores potential solutions for improving academic outcomes across U.S. public schools.