For the 2024-25 school year, there are 24 public schools serving 10,129 students in Santa Cruz County, AZ (there are 5 private schools, serving 626 private students). 94% of all K-12 students in Santa Cruz County, AZ are educated in public schools (compared to the AZ state average of 94%).
The top ranked public 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 schools have an average math proficiency score of 27% (versus the Arizona public school average of 35%), and reading proficiency score of 34% (versus the 41% statewide average). Schools in Santa Cruz County have an average ranking of 5/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Arizona public schools.
Minority enrollment is 97% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Arizona public school average of 65% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Santa Cruz County (2024-25)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Mexicayotl Charter School
Magnet School
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
Grades: K-8
| 166 students
Rank: #22.
Little Red Schoolhouse
Magnet School
(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
Grades: PK-8
| 183 students
Rank: #33.
Patagonia Montessori School
Magnet School
Charter 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
Grades: K-8
| 22 students
Rank: #4 - 54. - 5.
Patagonia Union High School
Magnet School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
200 Naugle Avenue
Patagonia, AZ 85624
(520) 394-3000
Patagonia, AZ 85624
(520) 394-3000
Grades: 9-12
| 79 students
Rank: #4 - 54. - 5.
Pierson High School
Alternative School
Magnet School
Magnet School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
451 N. Arroyo Blvd
Nogales, AZ 85621
(520) 287-0915
Nogales, AZ 85621
(520) 287-0915
Grades: 9-12
| 142 students
Rank: #66.
Robert Bracker Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
121 Camino Diez Mandamientos
Nogales, AZ 85621
(520) 377-2886
Nogales, AZ 85621
(520) 377-2886
Grades: K-5
| 266 students
Rank: #77.
Elgin Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
23 Upper Elgin Rd
Elgin, AZ 85611
(520) 455-5514
Elgin, AZ 85611
(520) 455-5514
Grades: PK-8
| 149 students
Rank: #88.
Francisco Vasquez De Coronado Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 49% | Reading: 38%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
2301 N Al Harrison Rd
Nogales, AZ 85621
(520) 377-2885
Nogales, AZ 85621
(520) 377-2885
Grades: K-5
| 515 students
Rank: #99.
Nogales High School
Magnet School
(Math: 42% | Reading: 42%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1905 N Apache Blvd
Nogales, AZ 85621
(520) 377-2021
Nogales, AZ 85621
(520) 377-2021
Grades: 9-12
| 1,796 students
Rank: #1010.
Montessori De Santa Cruz - St. Ann's Hall
Magnet School
Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 20-29% | Reading: 50-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
2875 E Frontage Rd
Tubac, AZ 85646
(520) 398-0536
Tubac, AZ 85646
(520) 398-0536
Grades: K-8
| 69 students
Rank: #1111.
Patagonia Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
Highway 82
Patagonia, AZ 85624
(520) 394-3000
Patagonia, AZ 85624
(520) 394-3000
Grades: PK-8
| 101 students
Rank: #1212.
Desert Shadows Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 28% | 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
Grades: 6-8
| 760 students
Rank: #1313.
Challenger Elementary School
Magnet 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
Grades: K-5
| 374 students
Rank: #1414.
Rio Rico High School
Magnet School
(Math: 31% | Reading: 30%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
590 N. Camino Galindo
Rio Rico, AZ 85648
(520) 375-8700
Rio Rico, AZ 85648
(520) 375-8700
Grades: 9-12
| 1,414 students
Rank: #1515.
Mary L Welty Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 30-34% | 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
Grades: K-5
| 364 students
Rank: #1616.
San Cayetano Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 18% | 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
Grades: K-5
| 393 students
Rank: #1717.
Lincoln Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
652 N Tyler Ave
Nogales, AZ 85621
(520) 287-0870
Nogales, AZ 85621
(520) 287-0870
Grades: PK-5
| 438 students
Rank: #1818.
Coatimundi Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 17% | Reading: 35%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
490 Avenida Coatimundi
Rio Rico, AZ 85648
(520) 375-8800
Rio Rico, AZ 85648
(520) 375-8800
Grades: 6-8
| 473 students
Rank: #1919.
Mountain View School
Magnet School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1374 W Frontage Rd
Rio Rico, AZ 85648
(520) 375-8402
Rio Rico, AZ 85648
(520) 375-8402
Grades: K-5
| 387 students
Rank: #2020.
Nusd Online
Magnet School
(Math: 11-19% | Reading: 20-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
451 N Arroyo Blvd
Nogales, AZ 85621
(520) 287-0915
Nogales, AZ 85621
(520) 287-0915
Grades: K-12
| 142 students
Rank: #2121.
Wade Carpenter Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 15% | Reading: 24%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
595 W Kino St
Nogales, AZ 85621
(520) 287-0820
Nogales, AZ 85621
(520) 287-0820
Grades: 6-8
| 576 students
Rank: #2222.
Calabasas School
Magnet 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
Grades: PK-8
| 1,006 students
Rank: #2323.
A J Mitchell Elementary School
Magnet 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
Grades: K-5
| 314 students
Rank: n/an/a
Santa Cruz Valley Digital Learning Program
Magnet School
590 Camino Lito Galindo
Rio Rico, AZ 85648
(520) 375-8700
Rio Rico, AZ 85648
(520) 375-8700
Grades: K-12
| n/a students
Santa Cruz County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
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
Grades: 3-12
| n/a students
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
Grades: 9-12
| n/a students
Nogales Special Programs (Closed 2023)
Special Education School
310 W Plum St
Nogales, AZ 85621
(520) 287-0800
Nogales, AZ 85621
(520) 287-0800
Grades: Inquire with school
| 58 students
P.o. Box 254
Patagonia, AZ 85624
(520) 394-3000
Patagonia, AZ 85624
(520) 394-3000
Grades: 6-8
| 45 students
131 Camino Maricopa
Rio Rico, AZ 85648
(520) 281-8282
Rio Rico, AZ 85648
(520) 281-8282
Grades: PK-5
| n/a students
3241 N. Grand Ave. 1
Nogales, AZ 85621
(520) 287-2188
Nogales, AZ 85621
(520) 287-2188
Grades: 5-12
| n/a students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Santa Cruz County, AZ?
The top ranked public schools in Santa Cruz County, AZ include Mexicayotl Charter School, Little Red Schoolhouse and Patagonia Montessori School.
How many public schools are located in Santa Cruz County?
24 public schools are located in Santa Cruz County.
What percentage of students in Santa Cruz County go to public school?
94% of all K-12 students in Santa Cruz County are educated in public schools (compared to the AZ state average of 94%).
What is the racial composition of students in Santa Cruz County?
Santa Cruz County public schools minority enrollment is 97% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Arizona public schools average of 65% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in Santa Cruz County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Santa Cruz County include: Rio Rico High School vs. Nogales High School, Nogales High School vs. Rio Rico High School, Coatimundi Middle School vs. Calabasas School
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