Best Elementary Schools
in Tucson, Arizona
We ranked all 176 elementary schools in Tucson. The top 25 scored between 7.9 and 9.1 out of 10.
Updated for 2026 · Based on NCES and Arizona education data
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.
Agua Caliente School
Civano Community K-8 School
Marshall Elementary School
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 based on four components: Academic Achievement (50%) measures standardized test performance in math and reading. Student Growth (20%) tracks improvement over time. Equity (15%) evaluates how well a school serves all student groups. Environment (15%) considers class size, spending, and attendance. All scores are computed within Arizona so schools are compared to peers in the same state. See our full methodology.
All 25 Rankings
| # | School | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Agua Caliente School Tanque Verde Unified District (4408) | 9.1 |
| 2 | Civano Community K-8 School Vail Unified District (4413) | 9.1 |
| 3 | Marshall Elementary School Tucson Unified District (4403) | 9.0 |
| 4 | Ventana Vista Elementary School Catalina Foothills Unified District (4410) | 8.8 |
| 5 | Carrillo Intermediate Magnet School Tucson Unified District (4403) | 8.7 |
| 6 | Tanque Verde Elementary School Tanque Verde Unified District (4408) | 8.6 |
| 7 | Fruchthendler Elementary School Tucson Unified District (4403) | 8.6 |
| 8 | Carden of Tucson Charter Carden of Tucson Inc. (78858) | 8.5 |
| 9 | Rattlesnake Ridge Elementary Marana Unified District (4404) | 8.5 |
| 10 | INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF TUCSON | 8.5 |
| 11 | Lineweaver Elementary School Tucson Unified District (4403) | 8.3 |
| 12 | Robison Elementary School Tucson Unified District (4403) | 8.3 |
| 13 | Van Buskirk Elementary School Tucson Unified District (4403) | 8.3 |
| 14 | Bonillas Elementary Basic Curriculum Magnet School Tucson Unified District (4403) | 8.3 |
| 15 | Liberty Traditional Charter School - Saddleback Charter Liberty Traditional Charter School (10968) | 8.2 |
| 16 | Sunrise Drive Elementary School Catalina Foothills Unified District (4410) | 8.2 |
| 17 | Harriet Johnson Primary School Tucson Unified District (4403) | 8.2 |
| 18 | Mexicayotl Academy Charter Mexicayotl Academy Inc. (4463) | 8.1 |
| 19 | Desert Willow Elementary School Vail Unified District (4413) | 8.1 |
| 20 | Children Reaching for the Sky Preparatory Charter Griffin Foundation Inc. The (79500) | 8.0 |
| 21 | Rio Vista Elementary School Amphitheater Unified District (4406) | 8.0 |
| 22 | Gale Elementary School Tucson Unified District (4403) | 8.0 |
| 23 | Mesquite Elementary School Vail Unified District (4413) | 8.0 |
| 24 | Khalsa School Charter Khalsa Family Services (79420) | 7.9 |
| 25 | J Robert Hendricks Elementary School Flowing Wells Unified District (4405) | 7.9 |
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
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, Agua Caliente School is the top-rated elementary school in Tucson with a composite score of 9.1/10. The score is based on academic performance, student growth, equity, and school environment.
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 6.1/10. 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 based on four components: Academic Achievement (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and School Environment (15%). 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.