More commonly called South Mountain High School, the Academies at South Mountain is a public school serving students in ninth through twelfth grades from a sprawling campus within the Phoenix Union School District.
Unlike other high schools, South Mountain follows an academy model where students can experience work-based learning opportunities to nurture interest in career paths. Here, students thrive in four academies: the Freshman Academy; the Media Arts and Design Academy; the Science, Technology and Aerospace Academy; and the Public and Social Services Academy.
Outside of a curriculum that covers core subjects, world languages, physical education, and health, students can also participate in a number of magnet programs that align with the academy offerings including aerospace, communication arts, law, performing arts, and visual arts.
Career and technical education is a key offering at South Mountain, with disciplines ranging from auto mechanics and construction to nursing and software development, among many others.
To stay engaged after school, students can pursue passions in a number of extracurriculars including anime club, dance club, hiking club, marching band, Junior ROTC, robotics club, and yearbook, only to name a few.
The school offers a robust athletics program with a football stadium and other sports facilities on campus to serve a wide range of South Mountain Jaguar teams in football, basketball, track and field, cross country, badminton, wrestling, softball, tennis, and many more.
South Mountain High School
Public High School
|
Grade 9-12
5401 S 7th St,
Phoenix, AZ
Phoenix Union High School District
School Details
Head of School
Lacresha Williams
Student Teacher Ratio
19:1
Average SAT Score
960
Average ACT Score
19
Math Proficiency
15%
Reading Proficiency
15%
Average GPA
3.25
Graduation Rate
77%
Niche Grade
C
C
C
C
C+
B
A-
C+
Source: Niche
Niche Grade Details
Academics
Average GPA
3.25
Reading Proficiency
15%
Math Proficiency
15%
Teachers
Student Teacher Ratio
19:1
Teachers
112
Full Time Teachers
112
Teachers in First or Second Year
22.1%
College Prep
Average SAT
960
Math
490
Verbal
470
Average ACT
19
Math
19
English
19
Reading
20
Science
19
Number of AP Courses
8
AP Pass Rate
1.7%
AP Math Enrollment
Very Low
AP Science Enrollment
Very Low
Other AP Enrollment
Very Low
Clubs and Activities
Girls Athletic Participation
Low
Boys Athletic Participation
Low
GreatSchools Rating
Source: GreatSchools
GreatSchools Rating Details
Test Scores
Math
7%
State Average
44%
Science
7%
State Average
31%
Teachers and Staff
Students Per Counselor
1,102:1
Student Diversity
Male
53.1%
Female
46.9%
Hispanic
81.2%
Black
13%
White
2.8%
Two or more races
1.6%
Native American
<1%
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
<1%
Asian or Pacific Islander
<1%
Specialty School Programs
AP Programs Offered
IB Programs Offered
Free/Reduced Lunch Offered
Athletics Program
Colleges Students are Considering
Students are most interested in or go on to attend these colleges.
Arizona State University
457 Students
Northern Arizona University
348 Students
University of Arizona
279 Students
Grand Canyon University
249 Students
South Mountain Community College
202 Students
Phoenix College
146 Students
Arizona State University - West Campus
128 Students
University of California - Los Angeles
113 Students
Arizona State University - Polytechnic Campus
85 Students
GateWay Community College - Phoenix
83 Students
What Students Want to Study
Niche users from this school are most interested in the following majors.
Business
99 Students
Nursing
85 Students
Psychology
61 Students
Pre-Medicine Studies
49 Students
Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Administration
37 Students
Biology
32 Students
Computer Science
27 Students
Pre-Law Studies
26 Students
Nursing Assistant
25 Students
Criminology
23 Students
This School’s Reviews
Niche Reviews
1/31/2025
My best experiences are with teachers. Most of the teachers I have met are helpful and care for you as long as you show a little care. I do not really have any bad experiences with My school that you wouldn't find in any other south side Arizona school
8/20/2024
South mountain is a good school if you have already have a good idea on what you want to do as a career. The different academies help guide you in the direction you want to go in and with the right teachers and support you can reach your goal.
6/20/2024
South was a good school just not much to do when you have teachers that don't follow the curriculum or run off of the subject and start a long talking session about their pets or something that have nothing to do with the lesson plan. Overall, a good school just need to get involved unless you want to be "invisible"
GreatSchools Reviews
11/10/2021
The last 3 years many fights... Racial fights this year, boys can't even use the bathroom without getting harassed. Kids patting down other kids not only to steal their belongings but they will beat them up if you resist. If you want to be entertained with fights this is the place. And you have to w...
6/29/2021
South has a bad rep, but if you look closely at the students and how much the campus has improved within the last decade, you realize there is a great outlook in extracurriculars and teachers. South has a great reputation for their law program and classes offered. I've met inspiring teachers who hav...
5/26/2020
I would rate my experience a 9/10, I had my teachers supporting me and I had a lot of positive friends, I really feel like the people who rate this school bad are just people who expected so much from the school but didn’t put in work or time to actually get a difference, so many people complain abo...
12/14/2017
I went to south mountain high school from june 1989-june 1993 and loved it
Agents Specializing in Attendance Zone
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$175K - $650K Price Range
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Map
Attendance Zone
List Price Range
$226K - $1.4M
Homes For Sale
301
Average Home Value
$386,301
Median Lot Size
6,098 Sq Ft
% Renters
39%
Average Household Income
$83,039
% of College Grads
18.6%
Median Age
34
Average House Size
2,033 Sq Ft
% Commercial Property
60.1%
Homes for Sale
Homes for Rent
Additional Schools in the Area
Public Schools shown may be Choice Schools
Choice Schools
Choice schools may not serve this home. Please check the school district website to see all schools serving this home.
- 9th to 12th
- Public
- 6th to 12th
- Private
- 7th to 12th
- Charter
Parks in this Area
Hayden Park
- Baseball/Softball
- Basketball
- Grills
Highline Park
- Picnic Area
- Playground
- Parking Lot
El Reposo Park
- Basketball
- Grills
- Picnic Area
Nevitt Park
- Basketball
- Picnic Area
- Tennis
Esteban Park
- Baseball/Softball
- Dog Park
- Picnic Area
Esteban Dog Park
- Dog Park
- Parking Lot
Hermoso Park
- Basketball
- Picnic Area
- Pool
Francisco Highland Park
- Basketball
- Grills
- Picnic Area
Grayson Park
- Picnic Area
- Playground
- Multi-Purpose Field
Additional Neighborhoods in this Area
Central City
The center of the action in Phoenix, from restaurants to entertainment
Garfield
Garfield provides downtown-adjacent living at a relatively accessible price
Marilyn Ann
Walkable neighborhood just over a mile from downtown Tempe and ASU
South Mountain High School is a public school for students in grades 9-12 in Phoenix, AZ and is served by the Phoenix Union High School District in Arizona. The school has a total enrollment of 2,171 and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 19:1. Academic records show that 15% of students achieve proficiency in math, and 15% are proficient in reading. South Mountain High School has received feedback and ratings, with a Niche grade of C and a GreatSchools Rating of 2 out of 10. The average GPA is 3.25, the graduation rate is 77%, and average standardized test scores include an SAT score of 960 and an ACT score of 19. The average home value in this area is $386,301. Discover additional schools in the area, like Phoenix Union Bioscience High School, Science Prep Academy, NFL Yet College Prep Academy, and more. Learn more about what Phoenix has to offer, and browse homes for sale and for rent near South Mountain High School.