Highland Free School provides a unique learning environment for parents and students looking for an alternative to public schools.
Our non-profit school was founded upon educational principles that were, at the time, fresh and innovative.
Concepts such as the “open classroom,” where students no longer had to sit in straight rows of desks, and “student-based curriculum” that eliminated standard textbooks in favor of educational programs based on a student's individual readiness and interests.
We involved students and thier parents and tried to build a school community that would integrate the child's school life and family life.
The educational philosophy at Highland Free School is based upon the fact that children are naturally inquisitive and excited by learning.
Our goal is to keep that inquisitiveness alive. We do so by providing an environment in which students are free to explore, discover and learn at their own pace, supported by genuine interest and respect of their peers and teachers.
Quick Facts (2026)
- School Type: Alternative School
- Grades: Kindergarten-6
- Enrollment: 32 students
- Application Deadline: None / Rolling
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)
School Overview
School Type
Religious Affiliation
Grades Offered
Grades Kindergarten-6
Year Founded
1970
School Calendar
Student Body
Total Students
32 students
Student Body Type
Co-ed
Students by Grade
Academics and Faculty
Total Classroom Teachers
3 teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
11:1
National avg.:
Tuition and Acceptance Rate
Admission Deadline
None / Rolling
Application URL
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the application deadline for Highland Free School?
The application deadline for Highland Free School is rolling (applications are reviewed as they are received year-round).
In what neighborhood is Highland Free School located?
Highland Free School is located in the Barrio San Antonio neighborhood of Tucson, AZ.
Related Schools
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People that viewed Highland Free School also viewed these schools: Kino Learning Center, International School Of Tucson, Desert Valley Christian School, Carden Christian Academy Central and Tucson Waldorf School.
The nearest high school to Highland Free School is San Miguel High School (1.5 miles away)
The nearest elementary school and preschool is St. Ambrose School (1.0 miles away)
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Location
Miles
Quick Facts
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Tucson, AZ 85718
(520) 297-7278
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(520) 901-5499
Tucson, AZ 85710
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Calvary Chapel Christian School
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Tucson, AZ 85710
(520) 731-2100
Tucson, AZ 85710
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Desert Christian Schools Pk12
(Christian)
9415 E. Wrightstown
Tucson, AZ 85715
(520) 901-5499
Tucson, AZ 85715
(520) 901-5499
9.6 miles
Gr: PK-12 | 454 students Avg. class size: 20 students Sports: 6 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
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Location
Miles
Quick Facts
6625 N 1st Ave
Tucson, AZ 85718
(520) 297-7278
Tucson, AZ 85718
(520) 297-7278
7.7 miles
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Tucson, AZ 85719
(520) 406-0552
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(520) 406-0552
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Gr: NS-8 | 284 students Avg. class size: 16 students Sports: 2 | Extracurrculars: 7 Tuition listed
Desert Valley Christian School ![Desert Valley Christian School Photo - outside of building]( "Desert Valley Christian School Photo - outside of building")
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1200 N Santa Rosa Avenue
Tucson, AZ 85712
(520) 795-0161
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(520) 795-0161
4.1 miles
Gr: K-8 | 37 students Avg. class size: 10 students Extracurrculars: 5 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
2727 N Swan Rd
Tucson, AZ 85712
(520) 318-3824
Tucson, AZ 85712
(520) 318-3824
4.5 miles
Gr: K-8 | 52 students Tuition listed
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Special Program Emphasis
3605 E River Road
Tucson, AZ 85718
(520) 529-1032
Tucson, AZ 85718
(520) 529-1032
4.7 miles
Gr: PK-8 | 223 students Avg. class size: 15 students Extracurrculars: 6 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
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1701 E Seneca Street
Tucson, AZ 85719
(520) 406-0552
Tucson, AZ 85719
(520) 406-0552
2.2 miles
Gr: NS-8 | 284 students Avg. class size: 16 students Sports: 2 | Extracurrculars: 7 Tuition listed
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Special Program Emphasis
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Tucson, AZ 85718
(520) 529-1032
Tucson, AZ 85718
(520) 529-1032
4.7 miles
Gr: PK-8 | 223 students Avg. class size: 15 students Extracurrculars: 6 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
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Tucson, AZ 85710
(520) 901-5499
Tucson, AZ 85710
(520) 901-5499
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Tucson, AZ 85710
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Miles
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St. Ambrose School
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300 S Tucson Blvd
Tucson, AZ 85716
(520) 882-8678
Tucson, AZ 85716
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Gr: PK-8 | 240 students Avg. class size: 20 students
Imago Dei Middle School ![Imago Dei Middle School Photo]( "Imago Dei Middle School Photo")
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Tucson, AZ 85701
(520) 882-4008
Tucson, AZ 85701
(520) 882-4008
1.1 miles
Gr: 4-8 | 77 students Avg. class size: 20 students Sports: 1 Tuition listed
848 S 7th Avenue
Tucson, AZ 85701
(520) 622-2801
Tucson, AZ 85701
(520) 622-2801
1.1 miles
Gr: PK-K | 45 students
Santa Cruz Catholic School
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29 W 22nd St
Tucson, AZ 85713
(520) 624-2093
Tucson, AZ 85713
(520) 624-2093
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Gr: K-8 | 139 students
1st Street KinderCare ![1st Street KinderCare Photo - Toddler Classroom: Warm and fun, all in one.]( "1st Street KinderCare Photo - Toddler Classroom: Warm and fun, all in one.")
Daycare / Preschool
1621 E. 1st St. #3
Tucson, AZ 85719
(520) 795-4768
Tucson, AZ 85719
(520) 795-4768
1.4 miles
Gr: NS-PK | 90 students Tuition listed
School
Location
Miles
Quick Facts
San Miguel High School
(Catholic)
6601 San Fernando Ave
Tucson, AZ 85756
(520) 294-6403
Tucson, AZ 85756
(520) 294-6403
1.5 miles
Gr: 9-12 | 355 students Avg. class size: 23 students Sports: 8 | Extracurrculars: 6 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
401 N Bonita Ave
Tucson, AZ 85745
(520) 232-2900
Tucson, AZ 85745
(520) 232-2900
2.1 miles
Gr: 1-12 | 100 students Tuition listed
Salpointe Catholic High School ![Salpointe Catholic High School Photo - Salpointe Catholic High School]( "Salpointe Catholic High School Photo - Salpointe Catholic High School")
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1545 E Copper Street
Tucson, AZ 85719
(520) 327-6581
Tucson, AZ 85719
(520) 327-6581
2.7 miles
Gr: 9-12 | 1,365 students Avg. class size: 21 students Sports: 17 | Extracurrculars: 26 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
Renaissance Academy Tucson
Special Education School
4064 E 22nd St
Tucson, AZ 85711
(520) 549-5800
Tucson, AZ 85711
(520) 549-5800
2.8 miles
Gr: 3-12 | 31 students
Veritas Academy Of Tucson ![Veritas Academy Of Tucson Photo]( "Veritas Academy Of Tucson Photo")
Special Program Emphasis
2151 N Palo Verde Blvd
Tucson, AZ 85716
(520) 576-0427
Tucson, AZ 85716
(520) 576-0427
2.9 miles
Gr: K-12 | 183 students Avg. class size: 12 students Sports: 4 | Extracurrculars: 2 Tuition listed
School
Location
Miles
Quick Facts
St. Ambrose School
(Catholic)
300 S Tucson Blvd
Tucson, AZ 85716
(520) 882-8678
Tucson, AZ 85716
(520) 882-8678
1 miles
Gr: PK-8 | 240 students Avg. class size: 20 students
Imago Dei Middle School ![Imago Dei Middle School Photo]( "Imago Dei Middle School Photo")
(Episcopal)
55 N. 6th Avenue
Tucson, AZ 85701
(520) 882-4008
Tucson, AZ 85701
(520) 882-4008
1.1 miles
Gr: 4-8 | 77 students Avg. class size: 20 students Sports: 1 Tuition listed
Santa Cruz Catholic School
(Catholic)
29 W 22nd St
Tucson, AZ 85713
(520) 624-2093
Tucson, AZ 85713
(520) 624-2093
1.2 miles
Gr: K-8 | 139 students
First Southern Christian School ![First Southern Christian School Photo]( "First Southern Christian School Photo")
(Baptist)
445 E Speedway Blvd
Tucson, AZ 85705
(520) 624-9797
Tucson, AZ 85705
(520) 624-9797
1.6 miles
Gr: PK-6 | 78 students Avg. class size: 12 students Tuition listed
Ss Peter & Paul Catholic School
(Catholic)
1436 N Campbell Ave
Tucson, AZ 85719
(520) 325-2431
Tucson, AZ 85719
(520) 325-2431
1.8 miles
Gr: K-8 | 388 students Avg. class size: 23 students Sports: 3 Tuition listed
School
Location
Miles
Quick Facts
St. Ambrose School
(Catholic)
300 S Tucson Blvd
Tucson, AZ 85716
(520) 882-8678
Tucson, AZ 85716
(520) 882-8678
1 miles
Gr: PK-8 | 240 students Avg. class size: 20 students
848 S 7th Avenue
Tucson, AZ 85701
(520) 622-2801
Tucson, AZ 85701
(520) 622-2801
1.1 miles
Gr: PK-K | 45 students
1st Street KinderCare ![1st Street KinderCare Photo - Toddler Classroom: Warm and fun, all in one.]( "1st Street KinderCare Photo - Toddler Classroom: Warm and fun, all in one.")
Daycare / Preschool
1621 E. 1st St. #3
Tucson, AZ 85719
(520) 795-4768
Tucson, AZ 85719
(520) 795-4768
1.4 miles
Gr: NS-PK | 90 students Tuition listed
Second Street Childrens School
Daycare / Preschool
2430 E 2nd St
Tucson, AZ 85719
(520) 327-2124
Tucson, AZ 85719
(520) 327-2124
1.5 miles
Gr: PK-K | 70 students Avg. class size: 15 students Tuition listed
First Southern Christian School ![First Southern Christian School Photo]( "First Southern Christian School Photo")
(Baptist)
445 E Speedway Blvd
Tucson, AZ 85705
(520) 624-9797
Tucson, AZ 85705
(520) 624-9797
1.6 miles
Gr: PK-6 | 78 students Avg. class size: 12 students Tuition listed
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Miles
Quick Facts
Charter School
(Math: 40-59% | Reading: 60-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
510 S Highland Ave
Tucson, AZ 85719
(520) 623-0104
Tucson, AZ 85719
(520) 623-0104
- miles
Gr: K-6 | 31 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 65%
Alternative School
(Math: 11-19% | Reading: 37%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
3645 E Pima St
Tucson, AZ 85716
(520) 232-8770
Tucson, AZ 85716
(520) 232-8770
0.3 miles
Gr: K-12 | 1,184 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 81%
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1400 E Broadway Blvd
Tucson, AZ 85719
(520) 225-2200
Tucson, AZ 85719
(520) 225-2200
0.4 miles
Gr: PK-8 | 285 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 75%
Alternative School
(Math: <50%)
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20% )
Rank:
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20% )
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
440 S. Park
Tucson, AZ 85719
(520) 225-2600
Tucson, AZ 85719
(520) 225-2600
0.4 miles
Gr: 9-12 | 61 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 85%
Alternative School
Charter School
Charter School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1333 E 10th St
Tucson, AZ 85719
(520) 882-8826
Tucson, AZ 85719
(520) 882-8826
0.5 miles
Gr: 9-12 | 55 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 5:1
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