2020 Best Schools with Gifted and Talented Programs in the Tucson AreaAbout this List

University High School

• Tucson Unified School District, AZ
• 8-12
• 446 reviews

Senior: University High School has a phenomenal curriculum. Certain AP classes are required to take, preparing you for college level courses. There are an abundance of clubs to get involved in that allow you to explore your interests and passions. Getting involved in clubs also teaches students time management skills. Many of the clubs also travel which provides students with memorable experiences as well. The teachers are willing to help and often give up their own free time to provide student with any help they need. I would like to see less homework from some teachers for future students. Some days students have six hours of homework, and struggle to finish it all. The resources the school has are limited due to the the financial impairment within the district. I would like to see more fundraising for the school as a whole to improve the conditions of our facilities.
Read 446 Reviews

• A+

• 1,096 Students
• 22:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

The Montessori Schoolhouse

• Public School
• Tucson, AZ
• 1-5

• A+

• 76 Students
• 15:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Ocotillo Ridge Elementary School

• Vail Unified School District, AZ
• PK, K-5
• 14 reviews

Works Here: Ocotillo Ridge has an amazing culture among the staff, students, and families. The community involvement is fantastic as parents and staff members partner together in student education. ORE is family!
Read 14 Reviews

• A+

• 741 Students
• 18:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Corona Foothills Middle School

• Vail Unified School District, AZ
• 6-8

• A+

• 458 Students
• 18:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Esmond Station K-8 School

• Vail Unified School District, AZ
• PK, K-8
• 4 reviews

Parent: This is an amazing K8 school! The staff genuinely cares for the students while creating an environment that creates stronger critical thinking kids. The culture on the campus is filled with kindness and a strong sense of community.
Read 4 Reviews

• A+

• 544 Students
• 20:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Orange Grove Middle School

• Catalina Foothills Unified School District, AZ
• 6-8
• 2 reviews

Alum: Orange Grove has some extremely amazing teachers, and probably an overly high fraction of the teachers there are absolutely wonderful. Of course, not every single teacher can be so highly praised, but there are great opportunities to meet awesome faculty members who are very excited when returning students go to visit and talk about their lives. The teachers along with pretty advanced resources and future-planning activities truly prepare students for their futures, and are also a great place to return to when in need of some nostalgic comfort. The honors and gifted resources are very accommodating for students who need a challenge, and most other niches are amazingly welcoming to any students in need.
Read 2 Reviews

• A+

• 655 Students
• 19:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Mesquite Elementary School

• Vail Unified School District, AZ
• PK, K-5
• 6 reviews

Parent: I have been a Mesquite mom for 7 years. My oldest is now a 6th grader and my youngest is currently a 5th grader. We have been blessed to be a part of the Chinese Immersion program. All of the teachers at Mesquite have been amazing for both of my girls. I also can't say enough about our Special Education team. They have been there to support both my daughter and me through her years at Mesquite. My girls have had the chance to participate in art, drama, National Elementary Honor Society, and more.

Status quo is never okay at Mesquite. They are always looking for ways to improve and lead the area in education. We are lucky to have such an amazing family of teachers and staff!
Read 6 Reviews

• A

• 673 Students
• 21:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Desert Sky Middle School

• Vail Unified School District, AZ
• 6-8
• 3 reviews

Parent: Both of my daughters have now attended Desert Sky and loved it! Teachers and staff were responsive when they had an issue with an assignment or concern. They were involved in extra curricular activities like volleyball, basketball, Student Council, CIMI, and WEB. They have so many opportunities for the kids it’s amazing!
Read 3 Reviews

• A

• 758 Students
• 20:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Sunrise Drive Elementary School

• Catalina Foothills Unified School District, AZ
• K-5

• A

• 576 Students
• 18:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Senita Valley Elementary School

• Vail Unified School District, AZ
• PK, K-8
• 7 reviews

Niche User: The staff at Senita Valley are very supportive and caring of each other and welcome everyone with open arms. They are constantly seen having conversations with the kids, giving hugs and are almost always smiling. The overall environment is warm and inviting. This isn’t just a school, it’s a family!
Read 7 Reviews

• A

• 702 Students
• 20:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Rincon Vista Middle School

• Vail Unified School District, AZ
• 6-8
• 3 reviews

Senior: Rincon Vista was a great middle school. I had lots of great teachers and friends. I was on the baseball team for all three years I attended. My Coach for 8th grade was the best and our families have become very close since then. I have also stayed in touch with most of my friends from middle school even though we have all attended different high schools. There isn't a lot that can be changed. The diversity at our school isn't going to change because we have school boundaries. So it depends on where you live that decides if you can attend our schools or our district.
Read 3 Reviews

• A

• 664 Students
• 19:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Canyon View Elementary School

• Catalina Foothills Unified School District, AZ
• PK, K-5

• A

• 386 Students
• 17:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Esperero Canyon Middle School

• Catalina Foothills Unified School District, AZ
• 6-8
• 3 reviews

Parent: I have nothing but wonderful things to say about ECMS. My daughter attended last year as a 6th grader. This was her first year in the district, having moved here from another state...and wow...what a wonderful experience. My daughter was always shy and didn't make friends and was rarely challenged. Now, my daughter is thriving, having found a community that cultivates my daughters passions and strengths, and one that fosters a great sense of community. My son now attends this middle school, and all I can say is how happy I am that my kids are students here. I am so thankful to the administration and teachers of CFSD and ECMS for the experience they are receiving.
Read 3 Reviews

• A

• 599 Students
• 20:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Ventana Vista Elementary School

• Catalina Foothills Unified School District, AZ
• K-5
• 3 reviews

Sophomore: Excellent school! I went there for a long time. I love the campus and the teachers as well as all the activities we were able to do after school. I loved all the language programs they have there and I love how clean the campus is. I think it is a good school for anyone. This is the place where I learned how to read my first year of going to Ventana. In first grade I was in a sixth grade reading level. I was able to do that because of the teachers always willing to help me. Now I am in tenth grade and going strong because of the teachers in this school. I was also held responsible for my actions. I am so grateful for my experience throughout all the grades they have there. Thank you.
Read 3 Reviews

• A

• 508 Students
• 17:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Vail Academy & High School

• Vail Unified School District, AZ
• K-12
• 36 reviews

Senior: Overall Vail Academy & High School was great, I took all AP course load and the work load prepared me to manage my time and to complete tasks early if possible. The teachers are always willing to help out where they can and support the student through anything, as alot of my teachers would guide me on what to do and how to go about doing things relating to college, work, general concerns, etc. A student really has to try to not get involved at this school since the school is small and generally there is always a few students who try and reach out to everyone and if the student doesn't get reached by another student chances are a teacher will reach out and try and get them out there.
Read 36 Reviews

• A

• 484 Students
• 11:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Old Vail Middle School

• Vail Unified School District, AZ
• 6-8
• 1 review

Alum: I went to Old Vail all 3 years of middle school. The main thing that I disliked about the school was the facilities. The 6th-grade area is in trailers where 2 teachers share one. These "buildings" are tucked away in comparison to the other buildings. Other than the facilities the experience was fine.
Read 1 Review

• A

• 738 Students
• 19:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Desert Willow Elementary School

• Vail Unified School District, AZ
• PK, K-5
• 2 reviews

Parent: My kids have had a great education at Desert Willow. The teachers are caring and put in a lot of effort to making sure their classrooms are places where learning can happen for all the kids. I have spent a lot of time in classes as a volunteer and the positive reinforcement and extra help for kids who need it really help all the kids feel successful and make progress. Vail School District's philosophy of "Partners in Education" really is evident here and as a parent I feel like the teachers reach out to me to work together for the success of my kids.
There are many after school clubs that let my kids explore their various interests, as well, which is really nice. I love that my kid can stay after for mileage club one day and soccer club another day and get some exercise in, while another kid enjoys singing in choir and math club. There's something for everyone.
Read 2 Reviews

• A

• 865 Students
• 19:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Manzanita School

• Catalina Foothills Unified School District, AZ
• K-5
• 2 reviews

• A

• 603 Students
• 19:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Sycamore Elementary School

• Vail Unified School District, AZ
• PK, K-5
• 1 review

• A

• 641 Students
• 17:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Presidio School

• Public School
• Tucson, AZ
• PK, K-12
• 12 reviews

Parent: I have two children at this school and we are very pleased with the education they receive. Not only are the core subjects taught with rigor, but the extracurricular offerings are a comprehensive addition to the curriculum. The teachers are highly qualified and caring. There is a real bonding that our children enjoy; being part of the Presidio family. Dr. Saliba is the principal who always makes himself available to my husband and me. Our children will continue through their high school AP coursework. Hooray for this school!
Read 12 Reviews

• A

• 426 Students
• 14:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Acacia Elementary School

• Vail Unified School District, AZ
• PK, K-5

• A

• 708 Students
• 18:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Cottonwood Elementary School

• Vail Unified School District, AZ
• PK, K-6
• 11 reviews

Works Here: Cottonwood Elementary has been my home ever since I was a baby student teacher. I am SO incredibly fortunate that my path led me to this school as my home! I have grown tremendously as an educator because of the amazing supportive staff that we have been blessed with as well as the professional development consistently offered to help teachers as much as they possibly can. Cottonwood has a beautiful campus with teachers that genuinely love, support, and believe in their students to set high expectations that develop perseverance with confidence.
Read 11 Reviews

• A

• 609 Students
• 17:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

J. Robert Hendricks Elementary School

• Flowing Wells Unified School District, AZ
• K-6

• A

• 475 Students
• 15:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Canyon Del Oro High School

• Amphitheater Unified School District, AZ
• 9-12
• 469 reviews

Senior: Depending on how you act in school will determine how people will treat you. If you get into the wrong crowd however you might become addicted to things you should not get into. At least not until you're of age. The good things about CDO include; friendships, all relationships, variety of classes, teachers, and the campus. The students try and help clean the campus, but some make the custodians work harder than they should. The staff is very prepared for what they predict will happen, and will treat you respectfully , until you do something you shouldn't. The staff will take you to higher management, if you become a difficult student. The bad thing about the staff is that they don't get treated with the most respect.
Read 469 Reviews

• A

• 1,618 Students
• 20:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Agua Caliente School

• Tanque Verde Unified School District, AZ
• PK, K-6
• 1 review

Niche User: The campus it clean and organized the staff are kind abd the teachers are amazing. They offer things like student council and after school sports and PE is every week .
Read 1 Review

• A-

• 496 Students
• 15:1 Student-Teacher Ratio