For the 2025-26 school year, there are 11 public elementary schools serving 4,092 students in Nogales, AZ.
The top ranked public elementary schools in Nogales, AZ are Mexicayotl Charter School, Little Red Schoolhouse and Francisco Vasquez De Coronado Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Nogales, AZ public elementary schools have an average math proficiency score of 30% (versus the Arizona public elementary school average of 35%), and reading proficiency score of 34% (versus the 40% statewide average). Elementary schools in Nogales have an average ranking of 6/10, which is in the top 50% of Arizona public elementary schools.
Minority enrollment is 100% 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 Nogales, AZ (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.
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: #44.
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: #55.
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: #66.
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: #77.
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: #88.
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: #99.
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: #1010.
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: #1111.
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
Nogales, Arizona Public Schools (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%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public elementary schools in Nogales, AZ?
The top ranked public elementary schools in Nogales, AZ include Mexicayotl Charter School, Little Red Schoolhouse and Francisco Vasquez De Coronado Elementary School.
How many public elementary schools are located in Nogales?
11 public elementary schools are located in Nogales.
What is the racial composition of students in Nogales?
Nogales public elementary schools minority enrollment is 100% 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 Nogales are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public elementary schools in Nogales include: Lincoln Elementary School vs. Mexicayotl Charter School, Robert Bracker Elementary School vs. Francisco Vasquez De Coronado Elementary School, A J Mitchell Elementary School vs. Mexicayotl Charter School
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