For the 2025 school year, there are 12 public middle schools serving 3,623 students in Santa Cruz County, AZ.
The top ranked public middle 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 middle schools have an average math proficiency score of 23% (versus the Arizona public middle school average of 33%), and reading proficiency score of 35% (versus the 40% statewide average). Middle schools in Santa Cruz County have an average ranking of 5/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Arizona public middle schools.
Minority enrollment is 95% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Arizona public middle school average of 65% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Middle Schools in Santa Cruz County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
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
Grades: 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
Grades: PK-8
| 176 students
Rank: #33.
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
Grades: K-8
| 26 students
Rank: #44.
Elgin Elementary 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
| 134 students
Rank: #55.
Montessori De Santa Cruz 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
| 72 students
Rank: #66.
Patagonia Elementary 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
| 114 students
Rank: #77.
Desert Shadows Middle 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
| 765 students
Rank: #88.
Coatimundi Middle 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
| 446 students
Rank: #99.
Nusd Online
(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
| 186 students
Rank: #1010.
Wade Carpenter Middle 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
| 557 students
Rank: #1111.
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
Grades: PK-8
| 982 students
Rank: n/an/a
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 middle schools in Santa Cruz County, AZ?
The top ranked public middle schools in Santa Cruz County, AZ include Mexicayotl Charter School, Little Red Schoolhouse and Patagonia Montessori School.
How many public middle schools are located in Santa Cruz County?
12 public middle schools are located in Santa Cruz County.
What is the racial composition of students in Santa Cruz County?
Santa Cruz County public middle schools minority enrollment is 95% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Arizona public middle schools average of 65% (majority Hispanic).
Which public middle schools in Santa Cruz County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public middle schools in Santa Cruz County include: Coatimundi Middle School vs. Calabasas School, Calabasas School vs. Coatimundi Middle School, Patagonia Elementary School vs. Patagonia Montessori School
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