For the 2025-26 school year, there are 20 public elementary schools serving 6,656 students in Santa Cruz County, AZ.
The top ranked public elementary schools in Santa Cruz County, AZ are Mexicayotl Charter School, Little Red Schoolhouse and Patagonia Montessori School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Santa Cruz County, AZ public elementary schools have an average math proficiency score of 26% (versus the Arizona public elementary school average of 35%), and reading proficiency score of 33% (versus the 40% statewide average). Elementary schools in Santa Cruz County have an average ranking of 5/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Arizona public elementary schools.
Minority enrollment is 97% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Arizona public elementary school average of 67% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Elementary Schools in Santa Cruz County (2025-26)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Mexicayotl Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
2059 N Grand Ave
Nogales, AZ 85621
(520) 624-4018
Nogales, AZ 85621
(520) 624-4018
Gr: K-8 | 165 students
Rank: #22.
Little Red Schoolhouse
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
7 Duquesne Rd
Nogales, AZ 85621
(520) 287-0737
Nogales, AZ 85621
(520) 287-0737
Gr: PK-8 | 176 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1
Rank: #33.
Patagonia Montessori School
Charter School
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
500 N 3rd Ave
Patagonia, AZ 85624
(520) 394-9530
Patagonia, AZ 85624
(520) 394-9530
Gr: K-8 | 26 students Minority enrollment: 31%
Rank: #44.
Elgin Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
23 Elgin Rd
Elgin, AZ 85611
(520) 455-5514
Elgin, AZ 85611
(520) 455-5514
Gr: K-8 | 114 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1
Rank: #55.
Francisco Vasquez De Coronado Elementary School
(Math: 51% | Reading: 38%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
2301 N Al Harrison Rd
Nogales, AZ 85621
(520) 377-2885
Nogales, AZ 85621
(520) 377-2885
Gr: K-5 | 497 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #66.
Robert Bracker Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
121 Camino Diez Mandamientos
Nogales, AZ 85621
(520) 397-7213
Nogales, AZ 85621
(520) 397-7213
Gr: K-5 | 271 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1
Rank: #77.
Desert Shadows Middle School
(Math: 33% | Reading: 39%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
340 Blvd. Del Rey David
Nogales, AZ 85621
(520) 377-2646
Nogales, AZ 85621
(520) 377-2646
Gr: 6-8 | 765 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1
Rank: #88.
Patagonia Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
Highway 82
Patagonia, AZ 85624
(520) 394-3000
Patagonia, AZ 85624
(520) 394-3000
Gr: PK-8 | 114 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 77%
Rank: #99.
Montessori De Santa Cruz Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 11-19% | Reading: 50-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
2875 E Frontage Rd
Tubac, AZ 85646
(520) 398-0536
Tubac, AZ 85646
(520) 398-0536
Gr: K-8 | 72 students Minority enrollment: 65%
Rank: #1010.
San Cayetano Elementary School
(Math: 22% | Reading: 40%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1412 W Frontage Rd
Rio Rico, AZ 85648
(520) 375-8300
Rio Rico, AZ 85648
(520) 375-8300
Gr: K-5 | 404 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: #1111.
Challenger Elementary School
(Math: 28% | Reading: 34%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
901 E Calle Mayer
Nogales, AZ 85621
(520) 377-0544
Nogales, AZ 85621
(520) 377-0544
Gr: K-5 | 376 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1
Rank: #1212.
Mary L Welty Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1050 W Cimarron St
Nogales, AZ 85621
(520) 287-0880
Nogales, AZ 85621
(520) 287-0880
Gr: K-5 | 379 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1
Rank: #1313.
Coatimundi Middle School
(Math: 20% | Reading: 35%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
490 Avenida Coatimundi
Rio Rico, AZ 85648
(520) 375-8800
Rio Rico, AZ 85648
(520) 375-8800
Gr: 6-8 | 446 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: #1414.
Mountain View School
(Math: 23% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1374 W Frontage Rd
Rio Rico, AZ 85648
(520) 375-8401
Rio Rico, AZ 85648
(520) 375-8401
Gr: K-5 | 386 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #1515.
Lincoln Elementary School
(Math: 20% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
652 N Tyler Ave
Nogales, AZ 85621
(520) 287-0870
Nogales, AZ 85621
(520) 287-0870
Gr: PK-5 | 414 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1
Rank: #1616.
Calabasas School
(Math: 16% | Reading: 23%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1374 W Frontage Rd
Rio Rico, AZ 85648
(520) 375-8600
Rio Rico, AZ 85648
(520) 375-8600
Gr: PK-8 | 982 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1
Rank: #1717.
Wade Carpenter Middle School
(Math: 13% | Reading: 24%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
595 W Kino St
Nogales, AZ 85621
(520) 287-0820
Nogales, AZ 85621
(520) 287-0820
Gr: 6-8 | 557 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1
Rank: #1818.
Nusd Online
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: 20-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
451 N Arroyo Blvd
Nogales, AZ 85621
(520) 287-0915
Nogales, AZ 85621
(520) 287-0915
Gr: K-12 | 186 students Student-teacher ratio: 186:1
Rank: #1919.
A J Mitchell Elementary School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
855 N Bautista St
Nogales, AZ 85621
(520) 287-0840
Nogales, AZ 85621
(520) 287-0840
Gr: K-5 | 306 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1
Rank: n/an/a
590 Camino Lito Galindo
Rio Rico, AZ 85648
(520) 375-8700
Rio Rico, AZ 85648
(520) 375-8700
Gr: K-12
Santa Cruz County 51±¬ÁÏs (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
Aoc-santa Cruz County Juvenile Detention Center (Closed 2023)
Alternative School
1260 N Hohokam Dr
Nogales, AZ 85621
(520) 375-8193
Nogales, AZ 85621
(520) 375-8193
Gr: 3-12
Jail-santa Cruz County Sheriffs Office Elementary School (Closed 2023)
Alternative School
1250 N Hohokam Dr
Nogales, AZ 85628
(520) 761-7869
Nogales, AZ 85628
(520) 761-7869
Gr: 9-12
Nogales Special Programs (Closed 2023)
Special Education School
310 W Plum St
Nogales, AZ 85621
(520) 287-0800
Nogales, AZ 85621
(520) 287-0800
Gr: Inquire with school | 58 students Student-teacher ratio: 2:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
P.o. Box 254
Patagonia, AZ 85624
(520) 394-3000
Patagonia, AZ 85624
(520) 394-3000
Gr: 6-8 | 45 students Minority enrollment: 64%
131 Camino Maricopa
Rio Rico, AZ 85648
(520) 281-8282
Rio Rico, AZ 85648
(520) 281-8282
Gr: PK-5
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public elementary schools in Santa Cruz County, AZ?
The top ranked public elementary schools in Santa Cruz County, AZ include Mexicayotl Charter School, Little Red Schoolhouse and Patagonia Montessori School.
How many public elementary schools are located in Santa Cruz County?
20 public elementary schools are located in Santa Cruz County.
What is the racial composition of students in Santa Cruz County?
Santa Cruz County public elementary schools minority enrollment is 97% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Arizona public elementary schools average of 67% (majority Hispanic).
Which public elementary schools in Santa Cruz County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public elementary schools in Santa Cruz County include: Coatimundi Middle School vs. Calabasas School, Calabasas School vs. Coatimundi Middle School, Patagonia Elementary School vs. Patagonia Montessori School
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