- Cottonwood Elementary School — 0.5 mi · Grades K–6 · 570 students
- Empire High School — 0.6 mi · Grades 9–12 · 886 students
- Vail Innovation Center — 0.6 mi · Grades K–12 · 61 students
- Vail Blended Learning — 0.7 mi · Grades 6–12 · 72 students
- Desert Sky Middle School — 1.1 mi · Grades 6–8 · 743 students
- Esmond Station School — 1.3 mi · Grades PK–8 · 741 students
- Desert Willow Elementary School — 1.4 mi · Grades K–5 · 811 students
- Mica Mountain High — 1.7 mi · Grades 9–12 · 1,319 students
| Metric | Vail Unified District | National Average | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Enrollment | 14,533 | 3,544 | ↑ Larger than avg |
| Number of Schools | 23 | 7 | Varies by district |
| Per-Pupil Spending | $10,173/yr | $17,619/yr | ↓ 42% below avg |
| District Type | — | Public District | — |
| Overall Rating | 9/10 — Excellent | — | Above average |
| District | Rating | Percentile | Students |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vail Unified District (this district) | 9/10 | 82nd | 14,533 |
| Sunnyside Unified District | 2/10 | 18th | 14,541 |
| Tucson Unified District | 4/10 | 34th | 41,511 |
| Tanque Verde Unified District | 9/10 | 86th | 2,245 |
🔢 Show the math behind this rating
Ranked against 492 rated districts in AZ → 82nd percentile → 9/10.
Source: Arizona Dept. of Education AASA/ACT/MSAA combined assessments, Percent Passing, 2025. Full methodology →
About Vail Unified District
Vail Unified District serves zip code 85747, covering Tucson, Arizona with grades Pre-K–12th. Whether you’re researching a move, evaluating a home purchase, or preparing to enroll a child, the sections below give you a complete picture of this district’s resources, size, and what its rating means for your family.
Understanding the 9/10 Rating
SchoolDistrictFinder rates Vail Unified District 9 out of 10 — top-tier among Arizona public school districts. Our ratings are based on state assessment results — the share of students scoring proficient or above in reading and math, as reported in Arizona’s AASA/ACT/MSAA combined assessments (2025 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.
Vail Unified District ranks among the highest-performing public school districts in Arizona on state assessments, with reading and math proficiency rates in roughly the top 10–20% statewide. Homes in and around zip code 85747 often carry a measurable premium relative to neighboring areas served by lower-rated districts. Families moving here for academic strength will find a district whose students test well above the state norm. Even within top-rated districts, individual school performance varies — confirm your specific school assignments directly with the district.
Enrollment for Families in Zip Code 85747
Children in zip code 85747 are assigned to Vail Unified District for public school enrollment, covering grades Pre-K–12th. School assignments are address-specific — your elementary, middle, and high school placements depend on your exact street address within zip code 85747, 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 Vail Unified District at the number listed on the district website or visit the district’s official website. Typical enrollment documents include a signed lease or mortgage statement, birth certificate, state-required immunization documentation, and recent report cards or transcripts. 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 Tucson
Research consistently shows that district assignment affects residential property values. Because Vail Unified District serves zip code 85747, homes in and around zip code 85747 often carry a measurable premium over comparable properties in adjacent lower-rated districts. 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 Vail Unified 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 85747.
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 and phone numbers are updated annually when NCES publishes new data, typically in spring; per-pupil spending comes from the US Census Bureau's Annual Survey of School System Finances, released about two years after the fiscal year it covers. Always verify your specific school assignment and enrollment requirements directly with Vail Unified District before making any housing or enrollment decision based on zip code 85747 data.