The student population is 54% low income (i.e., eligible for free & reduced-price lunches by the federal definition).

The Arizona Department of Education has given the school its highest rating (Excelling) for the past three years.

PUHS is the only "Excelling" high school in Arizona south of the Tucson metro area.

Patagonia is the only bronze medal school in southern Arizona outside the Tucson metro area.

[6] In 1989 the Arizona Daily Star ran an article about recreational drug use being a rampant issue among the student body.