Best Elementary Schools
in Tucson, Arizona
We ranked the 161 elementary schools in Tucson with real test data. The top 25 scored between 8.1 and 9.6 out of 10.
Updated for 2026 · Based on NCES and Arizona education data
The short answer
The top-rated elementary schools in Tucson for 2026 are Fruchthendler Elementary School (9.6/10), Sam Hughes Elementary (9.3/10), and Liberty Traditional Charter School - Saddleback (9.2/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 161 rated elementary schools. Schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Choosing an elementary school in Tucson?
Every elementary school in Tucson is scored 1–10 on the same four measures. Use the ranking to build a shortlist, then weigh the tradeoffs a single score can't capture.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Fruchthendler Elementary School
Tucson, AZ. Start here, then open the profile to compare commute, district context, and score components.
Sam Hughes Elementary
Tucson, AZ. Start here, then open the profile to compare commute, district context, and score components.
Liberty Traditional Charter School - Saddleback
Tucson, AZ. Start here, then open the profile to compare commute, district context, and score components.
Tucson's elementary school landscape spans 145 ranked schools, giving families a wide range of options across the metro. The average composite score sits at 6.1/10, but the top tier pulls well above that mark — Agua Caliente School and Civano Community K-8 School both reach 9.1/10, with Marshall Elementary close behind at 9.0/10. Ventana Vista Elementary and Carrillo Intermediate Magnet round out the top five, each scoring above 8.5. That spread matters when you're comparing schools. Roughly one in three schools — 48 out of 145 — score 7 or higher, meaning strong options exist across multiple neighborhoods and school types. The table below lets you sort by overall score, school type, and other key metrics to find the best fit for your child. Start with the top scorers or filter by location to narrow the list.
Fruchthendler Elementary School
Sam Hughes Elementary
Liberty Traditional Charter School - Saddleback
Score Distribution
Where the top 25 schools fall on a 1-10 scale
How We Ranked Tucson's Elementary Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 with weights that vary by school level: Student Growth tracks improvement over time and counts most in elementary and middle grades. Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement measures standardized test performance in math and reading against socioeconomic expectations. Environment considers class size, spending, and attendance. College Readiness joins the composite for high schools. Equity data is shown for context but is not factored into the score. All scores are computed within Arizona so schools are compared to peers in the same state. See our full methodology.
Top 25 of 161 Rankings
| # | School | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fruchthendler Elementary School Tucson Unified District (4403) | 9.6 |
| 2 | Sam Hughes Elementary Tucson Unified District (4403) | 9.3 |
| 3 | Liberty Traditional Charter School - Saddleback Charter Liberty Traditional Charter School (10968) | 9.2 |
| 4 | Sunrise Drive Elementary School Catalina Foothills Unified District (4410) | 9.2 |
| 5 | Carrillo Intermediate Magnet School Tucson Unified District (4403) | 9.2 |
| 6 | Esmond Station School Vail Unified District (4413) | 9.2 |
| 7 | J Robert Hendricks Elementary School Flowing Wells Unified District (4405) | 8.9 |
| 8 | Mesquite Elementary School Vail Unified District (4413) | 8.9 |
| 9 | Hermosa Montessori Charter Charter Hermosa Montessori Charter School (4426) | 8.8 |
| 10 | Manzanita School Catalina Foothills Unified District (4410) | 8.8 |
| 11 | Canyon View Elementary School Catalina Foothills Unified District (4410) | 8.8 |
| 12 | Collier Elementary School Tucson Unified District (4403) | 8.8 |
| 13 | Ventana Vista Elementary School Catalina Foothills Unified District (4410) | 8.7 |
| 14 | Marshall Elementary School Tucson Unified District (4403) | 8.5 |
| 15 | International School of Tucson | 8.5 |
| 16 | Leman Academy of Excellence Charter Leman Academy of Excellence Inc. (92730) | 8.4 |
| 17 | Desert Willow Elementary School Vail Unified District (4413) | 8.4 |
| 18 | Robert Richardson Elementary School Flowing Wells Unified District (4405) | 8.3 |
| 19 | Rattlesnake Ridge Elementary Marana Unified District (4404) | 8.3 |
| 20 | Davis Bilingual Magnet School Tucson Unified District (4403) | 8.3 |
| 21 | Lulu Walker School Amphitheater Unified District (4406) | 8.2 |
| 22 | Winifred Harelson Elementary School Amphitheater Unified District (4406) | 8.2 |
| 23 | Leman Academy of Excellence-oro Valley Arizona Charter Leman Academy of Excellence Inc. (92730) | 8.2 |
| 24 | Desert Sky Community School Charter Desert Sky Community School Inc. (88308) | 8.1 |
| 25 | Mesa Verde Elementary School Amphitheater Unified District (4406) | 8.1 |
Scores are based on 2024-25 data from the NCES Common Core of Data and Arizona education department. Rankings are relative to all public elementary schools in Arizona. Learn about our methodology.
Map: Top 25 Elementary Schools in Tucson
Pins are color-coded by score: green (7+), yellow (4-6.9), red (below 4). Click a pin for details.
School Spotlights: Tucson's Top 10 Elementary Schools
Liberty Traditional Charter School - Saddleback
Choosing the Right Elementary School in Tucson
Rankings identify schools with the strongest measurable outcomes, but the right school for your family depends on more than a number. Tucson's elementary school landscape is one of the most diverse in Arizona, with 176 schools spanning 67 school districts, plus 36 charter schools offering alternative approaches.
Consider your child's learning style. Some children thrive in smaller settings (look for student-teacher ratios under 14:1), while others do well in larger, more social environments. The schools on this list range widely in size and approach.
Look beyond the composite score. A school ranked #15 might be the best fit if it excels in growth (improving student outcomes year over year) even if its raw academic score is lower. Click into individual school profiles to see the breakdown.
Visit your top choices. Walk the hallways during a school day. Watch how teachers interact with students. Ask about before- and after-school care, transportation, and parent involvement. These details matter more than any dataset.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best elementary school in Tucson, Arizona?
According to MySchoolScout's 2026 rankings, Fruchthendler Elementary School is the top-rated elementary school in Tucson with a composite score of 9.6/10. The score blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic performance, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools — with equity shown as context, not scored.
How many elementary schools are in Tucson, Arizona?
Tucson has 176 elementary schools, including 36 charter schools. Of these, 164 have enough data for a full composite rating on MySchoolScout.
What is the average elementary school rating in Tucson?
The average composite score for Tucson elementary schools is 6.3/10. Scores range from 1.0 (bottom of the state) to 10.0 (top 1% in Arizona).
How does MySchoolScout rate elementary schools?
Each school receives a 1-10 composite score that blends Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, with growth counting most in elementary and middle grades. Equity data is shown for context but not scored. All scores are computed within Arizona, so schools are compared to peers in the same state. Data comes from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments.
What is a good school rating on MySchoolScout?
A score of 7 or above means a school is in roughly the top 30% of its state. A 5 is average. Anything above 8 is exceptional. Our ratings are relative to other schools in Arizona, not a national comparison, because each state has different testing standards.
Are charter schools included in the Tucson elementary school rankings?
Yes. Tucson has 36 charter elementary schools, and they are ranked alongside traditional public schools using the same composite scoring methodology.