Santa Cruz County Schools & Education
Santa Cruz County, Arizona
NCES + U.S. Census BureauSchool Score
28/100
Higher = better
Rating
Below Average
Graduation Rate
90.2%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
90.2%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 81.0%
Per-Pupil Spending
$4,869
National avg $13,239
State avg $5,607
School Score
28/100
Higher = better
State avg 14/100
Student-Teacher Ratio
N/A
National avg 15.8 : 1
Free Lunch (Median)
N/A
National median 48.2%
State School Rank
#1
of 15 counties (1 = best)
Education Advisory: Santa Cruz County
School Verdict
Despite a lower school score of 28/100, Santa Cruz County maintains a strong graduation rate of 90.2%, suggesting effective student support systems.
Funding Context
At $4,869 per pupil, Santa Cruz County operates with limited funding, which may constrain staffing, materials, and extracurricular offerings.
Attainment Context
Educational attainment data for Santa Cruz County is not available.
Neighbor Context
Its school score is 96% above the Arizona average, and its graduation rate exceeds the state average by 9.2 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 13% lower than the state norm.
Education Overview
About Schools in Santa Cruz County, Arizona
Focused Education in Santa Cruz County
Santa Cruz County operates a streamlined system of 31 public schools serving 10,542 students. These schools are organized into 12 districts, with a strong focus on elementary and high school levels.
Outperforming State and National Graduation Rates
Santa Cruz County boasts an impressive 90.2% graduation rate, far exceeding the state average of 81% and the national benchmark of 87%. It achieves these results despite a per-pupil expenditure of $4,869, which is below the state average.
Nogales Unified Leads the Region
Nogales Unified District is the county's largest, educating 5,687 students across 11 schools. Charter schools represent about 19.4% of the local options, providing specialized choices for families in the area.
Town-Centered Learning with High Enrollment
Education is concentrated in town settings, where 21 of the 31 schools are located. Nogales High School is the county's largest campus, serving 1,796 students and acting as a central community hub.
Securing a Home Near Top Schools
With graduation rates higher than the national average, Santa Cruz County is an attractive target for education-focused homebuyers. Explore properties near the Nogales or Rio Rico areas to take advantage of these high-performing districts.
School Overview
Total Schools
31
in Santa Cruz County
Total Enrollment
10,542
students
School Districts
12
districts
Charter Schools
6
19% of total
Student-Teacher Ratio
—
county average
Free Lunch (Median)
—
of students countywide
School Type Breakdown
12 School Districts in Santa Cruz County
Nogales Unified District (4457)
Santa Cruz Valley Unified District (4458)
Educational Options Foundation (90201)
Kaizen Education Foundation dba Colegio Petite Pho (92989)
Mexicayotl Academy Inc. (4463)
Santa Cruz Elementary District (4459)
Sonoita Elementary District (4461)
Patagonia Elementary District (4460)
Patagonia Union High School District (4462)
Santa Cruz Valley Opportunities in Education Inc. (79066)
31 Public Schools in Santa Cruz County
| School Name | District | Grades | Type | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nogales High School | Nogales Unified District (4457) | 9–12 | High | 1,796 |
| Rio Rico High School | Santa Cruz Valley Unified District (4458) | 9–12 | High | 1,414 |
| Calabasas School | Santa Cruz Valley Unified District (4458) | PK–8 | Primary | 1,006 |
| Desert Shadows Middle School | Nogales Unified District (4457) | 6–8 | Middle | 760 |
| Wade Carpenter Middle School | Nogales Unified District (4457) | 6–8 | Middle | 576 |
| Francisco Vasquez De Coronado Elementary School | Nogales Unified District (4457) | KG–5 | Primary | 515 |
| Coatimundi Middle School | Santa Cruz Valley Unified District (4458) | 6–8 | Middle | 473 |
| Lincoln Elementary School | Nogales Unified District (4457) | PK–5 | Primary | 438 |
| San Cayetano Elementary School | Santa Cruz Valley Unified District (4458) | KG–5 | Primary | 393 |
| Mountain View School | Santa Cruz Valley Unified District (4458) | KG–5 | Primary | 387 |
| Challenger Elementary School | Nogales Unified District (4457) | KG–5 | Primary | 374 |
| Mary L Welty Elementary School | Nogales Unified District (4457) | KG–5 | Primary | 364 |
| A J Mitchell Elementary School | Nogales Unified District (4457) | KG–5 | Primary | 314 |
| Colegio Petite Arizona | Kaizen Education Foundation dba Colegio Petite Pho (92989) | KG–5 | Charter | 275 |
| Robert Bracker Elementary | Nogales Unified District (4457) | KG–5 | Primary | 266 |
| Little Red Schoolhouse | Santa Cruz Elementary District (4459) | PK–8 | Primary | 183 |
| Mexicayotl Charter School | Mexicayotl Academy Inc. (4463) | KG–8 | Charter | 166 |
| Elgin Elementary School | Sonoita Elementary District (4461) | PK–8 | Primary | 149 |
| Pierson High School | Nogales Unified District (4457) | 9–12 | Alternative | 142 |
| NUSD Online | Nogales Unified District (4457) | KG–12 | Other | 142 |
Nogales Unified District (4457)
Kaizen Education Foundation dba Colegio Petite Pho (92989)
Educational Attainment
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$4,869
State avg $5,607
Find Homes Near Top Schools
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do schools in Santa Cruz County rate?
What is the graduation rate in Santa Cruz County?
How much does Santa Cruz County spend per student?
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Santa Cruz County, Arizona — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Santa Cruz County, Arizona?
Santa Cruz County operates a streamlined system of 31 public schools serving 10,542 students. These schools are organized into 12 districts, with a strong focus on elementary and high school levels.
How do schools in Santa Cruz County perform academically?
Santa Cruz County boasts an impressive 90.2% graduation rate, far exceeding the state average of 81% and the national benchmark of 87%. It achieves these results despite a per-pupil expenditure of $4,869, which is below the state average.
What are the major school districts in Santa Cruz County, Arizona?
Nogales Unified District is the county's largest, educating 5,687 students across 11 schools. Charter schools represent about 19.4% of the local options, providing specialized choices for families in the area.
What is the school experience like in Santa Cruz County?
Education is concentrated in town settings, where 21 of the 31 schools are located. Nogales High School is the county's largest campus, serving 1,796 students and acting as a central community hub.
How can I find homes near good schools in Santa Cruz County, Arizona?
With graduation rates higher than the national average, Santa Cruz County is an attractive target for education-focused homebuyers. Explore properties near the Nogales or Rio Rico areas to take advantage of these high-performing districts.
Counties with Similar School Profile
Data Sources
Education data sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey. School scores are derived composite metrics.
Data is informational only. Coverage varies by county and reporting year. Not for use as the sole basis for educational decisions.