- Alhambra High School — Grades 9–12 · 2169 students
- Metro Tech High School — Grades 9–12 · 1781 students
- Camelback High School — Grades 9–12 · 2106 students
- Carl Hayden High School — Grades 9–12 · 2079 students
- Central High School — Grades 9–12 · 1733 students
- Maryvale High School — Grades 9–12 · 2532 students
- South Mountain High School — Grades 9–12 · 2207 students
- Trevor Browne High School — Grades 9–12 · 2850 students
- North High School — Grades 9–12 · 1837 students
- Bostrom Alternative Center — Grades 9–12 · 302 students
- Desiderata Program — Grades 9–12 · 67 students
- Cesar Chavez High School — Grades 9–12 · 2598 students
- Linda Abril Educational Academy — Grades 10–12 · 246 students
- Phoenix Union Bioscience High School — Grades 9–12 · 390 students
- Betty Fairfax High School — Grades 9–12 · 2014 students
- Franklin Police and Fire High School — Grades 9–12 · 313 students
- Phoenix Coding Academy — Grades 9–12 · 224 students
- Phoenix Union-Wilson College Preparatory — Grades 9–12 · 197 students
- Phoenix Digital Academy — Grades 9–12 · 70 students
- PXU City — Grades 9–12 · 85 students
- Phoenix Educator Preparatory — Grades 9–12 · 0 students
Zip code 85016 is not served by one district. An elementary district and a separate secondary district each cover this area, which is normal in this state — which one your child attends depends on their grade.
| GRADES | DISTRICT | RATING |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-K–8 Elementary | Madison Elementary District 5,844 students · 9 schools | 9/10 |
| 9–12 Secondary | Phoenix Union High School District 27,900 students · 19 schools | 2/10 |
| Metric | Phoenix Union High School District | National Average | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Enrollment | 131 | 3,700 | ↓ Smaller than avg |
| Number of Schools | 19 | 6 | Varies by district |
| Per-Pupil Spending | $8,500/yr (est.) | $13,700/yr | State avg est. |
| District Type | Public School District | Public District | — |
| Overall Rating | 2/10 — Poor | — | Below average |
| District | Rating | Percentile | Students |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phoenix Union High School District (this district) | 2/10 | 14th | 131 |
| Mayer Unified District | 3/10 | 20th | 573 |
| Tolleson Union High School District | 3/10 | 27th | 13,741 |
| Bicentennial Union High School District | 1/10 | 8th | 126 |
About Phoenix Union High School District
Phoenix Union High School District is the public school district assigned to zip code 85016 in Phoenix, Arizona. Serving students from K–12, this district is the primary public education system for families living in and around zip code 85016. The sections below cover the district’s resources, scale, rating, and everything families need to know about enrollment and school assignment.
Funding and Resources
According to NCES 2024–2025, Phoenix Union High School District spends approximately $8,500 per student per year, placing it near the Arizona state average of approximately $8,500 and significantly below the national average nationally (U.S. average: $13,700/year). Districts with constrained budgets face challenges with class sizes, program breadth, and facility upkeep. Ask specifically about available services when enrolling. Per-pupil spending directly affects teacher compensation, class sizes, elective course offerings, technology access, and the depth of student support services — making it one of the most meaningful structural indicators of district capacity.
District Scale and Program Breadth
At 19 schools serving grades K–12, Phoenix Union High School District qualifies as a large district serving students from K–12. The district enrolls approximately 27,900 students in total. Large districts typically provide broad program variety: multiple course tracks at the high school level, dedicated arts and athletic programs, specialized learning pathways, and a wider range of student support services. Individual school quality within a large district can vary considerably — always research your specific assigned school, not just district-level averages.
Understanding the 2/10 Rating
With a rating of 2/10 (low-rated), Phoenix Union High School District ranks among Arizona’s low-rated-rated school systems. Our ratings are based on state assessment results — the share of students scoring proficient or above in reading and math, as reported in the U.S. Department of Education’s EDFacts collection (2017–18 school year). We average each district’s reading and math proficiency, then rank it against other districts in the same state to produce a 1–10 score. Because Arizona is compared only against itself, the rating reflects how this district performs relative to its in-state peers.
Phoenix Union High School District holds a low overall rating, with reading and math proficiency among the lowest in Arizona on state assessments. Test results reflect many factors beyond the classroom, including community and economic conditions; a low score is a signal to research carefully, not a verdict on any individual school or teacher. Families in this area should research all available alternatives: inter-district transfers, charter schools, and magnet programs. Contact the district directly to understand exactly what programs are available at your assigned school.
Enrollment for Families in Zip Code 85016
Children in zip code 85016 are assigned to Phoenix Union High School District for public school enrollment, covering grades K–12. School assignments are address-specific — your elementary, middle, and high school placements depend on your exact street address within zip code 85016, not just your neighborhood. Two homes on opposite ends of the same zip code may be assigned to different schools within the same district.
To confirm your specific school assignments, contact Phoenix Union High School District at the number listed on the district website or visit the district’s official website. Typical enrollment documents include proof of address, a government-issued birth certificate, immunization records, and any existing school records or IEP documentation. If your child has an IEP or 504 plan, bring that documentation to enrollment — Arizona districts are required to continue services within a reasonable period. Fall enrollment windows typically open in late winter or early spring; contact the district for exact dates and required steps.
School Districts and Home Values in Phoenix
For families considering a purchase in the Phoenix area, district assignment matters financially. Because Phoenix Union High School District serves zip code 85016, buyers should factor school district quality into their overall evaluation of homes in zip code 85016. District boundaries are address-specific — verify the exact district assignment for any property you’re seriously considering rather than assuming based on the neighborhood. A single block can place two adjacent homes in different districts with different ratings and different annual property tax implications.
Use the property tax estimator on this page to calculate estimated annual tax obligations based on your target purchase price. In Arizona, property taxes are a primary funding source for public schools — your tax payments directly support Phoenix Union High School District programs and staff. Understanding both district quality and the associated tax burden is essential financial due diligence before committing to any home in zip code 85016.
Data Sources and Accuracy
All district information on this page is sourced from the NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) 2024–2025, the U.S. Department of Education’s annual census of all public school districts — the same dataset used by researchers, journalists, and policymakers to analyze American public education. District boundaries, school assignments, phone numbers, and per-pupil expenditure figures are updated annually when NCES publishes new data, typically in spring. Always verify your specific school assignment and enrollment requirements directly with Phoenix Union High School District before making any housing or enrollment decision based on zip code 85016 data.