For the 2026 school year, there are 24 public schools serving 10,089 students in Santa Cruz County, AZ (there are 4 private schools, serving 622 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 Pinnacle Charter Schools - Nogales Campus. 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 25% (versus the Arizona public school average of 34%), 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 67% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Santa Cruz County (2026)
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 | 168 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1
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 | 131 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #33.
Pinnacle Charter Schools - Nogales Campus
Alternative School
Charter School
Charter School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
8 N Morley Avenue
Nogales, AZ 85621
(888) 746-3301
Nogales, AZ 85621
(888) 746-3301
Gr: 9-12 | 52 students
Rank: #44.
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 | 33 students Minority enrollment: 61%
Rank: #55.
Elgin Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
23 Upper Elgin Rd
Elgin, AZ 85611
(520) 455-5514
Elgin, AZ 85611
(520) 455-5514
Gr: PK-8 | 118 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: #66.
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 | 508 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #77.
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 | 272 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1
Rank: #88.
Patagonia Union High School
(Math: 21-39% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
200 Naugle Avenue
Patagonia, AZ 85624
(520) 394-3000
Patagonia, AZ 85624
(520) 394-3000
Gr: 9-12 | 71 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 76%
Rank: #99.
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 | 784 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1
Rank: #1010.
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 | 124 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 77%
Rank: #1111.
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 | 81 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 69%
Rank: #1212.
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 | 395 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: #1313.
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 | 380 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1
Rank: #1414.
Nogales High School
(Math: 21% | Reading: 42%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1905 N Apache Blvd
Nogales, AZ 85621
(520) 377-2021
Nogales, AZ 85621
(520) 377-2021
Gr: 9-12 | 1,774 student Student-teacher ratio: 24:1
Rank: #1515.
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 | 381 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1
Rank: #1616.
Coatimundi Middle School
(Math: 20% | Reading: 35%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
490 Avenida Coatimundi
Rio Rico, AZ 85648
(520) 375-8300
Rio Rico, AZ 85648
(520) 375-8300
Gr: 6-8 | 497 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #1717.
Pierson High School
Alternative School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
451 N. Arroyo Blvd
Nogales, AZ 85621
(520) 287-0915
Nogales, AZ 85621
(520) 287-0915
Gr: 9-12 | 119 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1
Rank: #1818.
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 | 406 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #1919.
Rio Rico High School
(Math: 15% | Reading: 30%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
590 N. Camino Galindo
Rio Rico, AZ 85648
(520) 375-8700
Rio Rico, AZ 85648
(520) 375-8700
Gr: 9-12 | 1,397 student Student-teacher ratio: 25:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #2020.
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 | 421 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1
Rank: #2121.
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 | 917 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #2222.
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 | 547 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1
Rank: #2323.
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 | 209 students Student-teacher ratio: 52:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #2424.
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 | 301 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1
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 Pinnacle Charter Schools - Nogales Campus.
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 67% (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
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.