For the 2026 school year, there are 21 public elementary schools serving 5,223 students in Gila County, AZ.
The top-ranked public elementary schools in Gila County, AZ are Destiny School, Young Elementary School and San Carlos Alternative High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Gila County, AZ public elementary schools have an average math proficiency score of 15% (versus the Arizona public elementary school average of 35%), and reading proficiency score of 23% (versus the 40% statewide average). Elementary schools in Gila County have an average ranking of 1/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Arizona public elementary schools.
Minority enrollment is 69% of the student body (majority American Indian), which is more than the Arizona public elementary school average of 67% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Elementary Schools in Gila County (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Destiny School
Charter School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
798 E Prickly Pear Dr
Globe, AZ 85501
(928) 425-0925
Globe, AZ 85501
(928) 425-0925
Gr: K-8 | 376 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 80%
Rank: #22.
Young Elementary School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
Hwy 288 Baker Ranch Rd
Young, AZ 85554
(928) 462-3244
Young, AZ 85554
(928) 462-3244
Gr: PK-8 | 40 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
Rank: #33.
San Carlos Alternative High School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
27010 E Highway 70
San Carlos, AZ 85550
(928) 475-2315
San Carlos, AZ 85550
(928) 475-2315
Gr: K-12 | 37 students
Rank: #44.
Pine Strawberry Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
3868 N Pine Creek Dr
Pine, AZ 85544
(928) 476-3283
Pine, AZ 85544
(928) 476-3283
Gr: PK-8 | 97 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1 Minority enrollment: 20%
Rank: #55.
Biyaagozhoo Center
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
Indian Rte. 6 Mp 10.5
Globe, AZ 85502
(928) 475-4060
Globe, AZ 85502
(928) 475-4060
Gr: 3-12 | 10 students
Rank: #66.
Tonto Basin Elementary School
(Math: 20-29% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
445 S. Old Hwy 188
Tonto Basin, AZ 85553
(928) 479-2277
Tonto Basin, AZ 85553
(928) 479-2277
Gr: PK-8 | 79 students Student-teacher ratio: 26:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #77.
Julia Randall Elementary School
(Math: 28% | Reading: 36%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
902 W Main St
Payson, AZ 85547
(928) 468-2600
Payson, AZ 85547
(928) 468-2600
Gr: 2-5 | 503 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 40%
Rank: #88.
Tiger Knowledge Online (Tko)
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
460 N Willow St
Globe, AZ 85501
(928) 402-6000
Globe, AZ 85501
(928) 402-6000
Gr: K-12 | 28 students Minority enrollment: 54%
Rank: #99.
Rim Country Middle School
(Math: 19% | Reading: 37%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
304 S Meadow St
Payson, AZ 85547
(928) 472-3062
Payson, AZ 85547
(928) 472-3062
Gr: 6-8 | 478 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 39%
Rank: #1010.
Miami Virtual Program
(Math: 8% | Reading: 28% )
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
4739 E Ragus Rd
Miami, AZ 85539
(928) 425-3271
Miami, AZ 85539
(928) 425-3271
Gr: K-12
Rank: #1111.
Copper Rim Elementary School
(Math: 16% | Reading: 19%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1600 Mesquite
Globe, AZ 85501
(928) 402-5800
Globe, AZ 85501
(928) 402-5800
Gr: PK-5 | 694 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 67%
Rank: #1212.
High Desert Middle School
(Math: 10% | Reading: 22%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
4000 High Desert
Globe, AZ 85501
(928) 402-5900
Globe, AZ 85501
(928) 402-5900
Gr: 6-8 | 390 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 68%
Rank: #1313.
Dr. Charles A. Bejarano Elementary School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 25-29% )
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
4635 B Ragus Road
Miami, AZ 85539
(928) 425-3271
Miami, AZ 85539
(928) 425-3271
Gr: PK-3 | 219 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 64%
Rank: #1414.
Leonor Hambly K-8
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
824 Thorne Ave.
Winkelman, AZ 85192
(520) 356-7876
Winkelman, AZ 85192
(520) 356-7876
Gr: PK-8 | 213 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 82%
Rank: #1515.
Lee Kornegay Intermediate School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 16%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
4635 E. Ragus Rd.
Miami, AZ 85539
(928) 425-3271
Miami, AZ 85539
(928) 425-3271
Gr: 3-6 | 282 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 63%
Rank: #1616.
Miami Junior Senior High School
(Math: 2% | Reading: 16%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
4639 E. Ragus Road
Miami, AZ 85539
(928) 425-3271
Miami, AZ 85539
(928) 425-3271
Gr: 6-12 | 428 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 67%
Rank: #1717.
San Carlos High School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: 6-9%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
27010 E Highway 70
San Carlos, AZ 85550
(928) 475-2378
San Carlos, AZ 85550
(928) 475-2378
Gr: 6-12 | 433 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1
Rank: #1818.
Rice Elementary School
(Math: 6% | Reading: 3%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
San Carlos Avenue
San Carlos, AZ 85550
(928) 475-4837
San Carlos, AZ 85550
(928) 475-4837
Gr: PK-6 | 673 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1
Rank: #1919.
San Carlos Middle School
(Math: ≤1% | Reading: 6%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
100 San Carlos Ave
San Carlos, AZ 85550
(928) 475-2315
San Carlos, AZ 85550
(928) 475-2315
Gr: 6-8 | 295 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1
Rank: n/an/a
500 East Rancho Road
Payson, AZ 85547
(928) 472-5801
Payson, AZ 85547
(928) 472-5801
Gr: K-2 | 430 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 32%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public elementary schools in Gila County, AZ?
The top-ranked public elementary schools in Gila County, AZ include Destiny School, Young Elementary School and San Carlos Alternative High School.
How many public elementary schools are located in Gila County?
20 public elementary schools are located in Gila County.
What is the racial composition of students in Gila County?
Gila County public elementary schools minority enrollment is 69% of the student body (majority American Indian), which is more than the Arizona public elementary schools average of 67% (majority Hispanic).
Which public elementary schools in Gila County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public elementary schools in Gila County include: Dr. Charles A. Bejarano Elementary School vs. Copper Rim Elementary School, Copper Rim Elementary School vs. Destiny School, Dr. Charles A. Bejarano Elementary School vs. Destiny School
Recent Articles
AI Report Cards: Should Schools Evaluate AI Use?
Explore whether schools should assess student AI use, the benefits, risks, and what responsible AI report cards could look like in 2026.
The Parent’s Guide to School Cell Phone Bans in 2026
Learn how school cell phone bans work in 2026, why districts are adopting them, and what parents should expect.
Parental Involvement in Public Schools: 2026 Update
Explore the latest 2026 trends, research, and strategies shaping parental involvement in public schools and student success.