Best Schools in Nogales, Arizona
16 schools · 10 Elementary · 2 Middle · 2 High · 2 Other
Choosing a school in Nogales?
Use this page to compare every school in Nogales by level, neighborhood, and district — and find the right fit, not just the top of the list.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Robert Bracker Elementary
Elementary · Nogales Unified District (4457). Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Desert Shadows Middle School
Middle · Nogales Unified District (4457). Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Francisco Vasquez De Coronado Elementary School
Elementary · Nogales Unified District (4457). Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Nogales for 2026 are Robert Bracker Elementary (8.2/10), Desert Shadows Middle School (7.3/10), and Francisco Vasquez De Coronado Elementary School (7.0/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 13 rated schools. Ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment (plus college readiness for high schools), with equity shown as context, not scored; schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Schools
16
13 public · 3 private
Avg Score
5.6
out of 10
Median Home
$173,600
home value · ACS
Districts
3
serving the city
Schools
16
13 public · 3 private
Avg Score
5.6
out of 10
Median Home
$173,600
home value · ACS
Districts
3
serving the city
STAAR proficiency rose +6.5 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among Nogales schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in Nogales
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (Top 10 of 13 rated schools; 16 schools in the directory). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Robert Bracker Elementary | 8.2 / 10 |
| 2 | Desert Shadows Middle School | 7.3 / 10 |
| 3 | Francisco Vasquez De Coronado Elementary School | 7.0 / 10 |
| 4 | Mary L Welty Elementary School | 6.9 / 10 |
| 5 | A J Mitchell Elementary School | 6.7 / 10 |
| 6 | Nogales High School | 5.8 / 10 |
| 7 | Wade Carpenter Middle School | 5.4 / 10 |
| 8 | Mexicayotl Charter School | 5.3 / 10 |
| 9 | Pierson High School | 5.2 / 10 |
| 10 | Little Red Schoolhouse | 4.9 / 10 |
See every school — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 5.6/10
- Median household income
- $41,309
- Median home value
- $173,600
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 19%
- Avg commute
- 20 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 51%
19% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Nogales compares
Arizona rank
#81 of 97
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.8
below Arizona avg (6.3)
Median household income
$41k
58% of Arizona median
Schools in this city
16
Nogales Unified District (4457) runs 85% of Nogales's public schools
Nogales touches 3 districts, but Nogales Unified District (4457) is the one most addresses actually attend.
Nogales Unified District (4457) accounts for 11 of 13 public schools (85%). The other 2 districts hold the remaining 2.
Among 13 public schools with real test data, composite scores run from 3.6 to 8.2 — the spread is inside Nogales, not a citywide average.
- Nogales Unified District (4457)11 public · 85%
- Mexicayotl Academy Inc. (4463)1 public · 8%
- Santa Cruz Elementary District (4459)1 public · 8%
About Schools in Nogales, Arizona
Nogales, Arizona is home to 16 schools, including 13 public schools and 3 private schools. The city's schools span 10 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, and 2 high schools.
With an average rating of 5.6 out of 10, schools in Nogales show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale. The composite blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in Nogales is Robert Bracker Elementary with a composite score of 8.2/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Nogales is served by 3 school districts: Mexicayotl Academy Inc. (4463), Santa Cruz Elementary District (4459), Nogales Unified District (4457). These districts collectively serve 6,076 students.
Nogales's community shows 19% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $41,309. The poverty rate in the area is 25.0%.
Browse the schools below to compare ratings, test scores, enrollment, and other key metrics. Use the filters to focus on specific school levels or types that match your family's needs.
Elementary Schools
10 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 271 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.2 | ||
| 2 | 497 students · Kindergarten–5th | 7.0 | ||
| 3 | 379 students · Kindergarten–5th | 6.9 | ||
| 4 | 306 students · Kindergarten–5th | 6.7 | ||
| 5 | 165 students · Kindergarten–8th | 5.3 | ||
| 6 | 176 students · Pre-K–8th | 4.9 | ||
| 7 | 376 students · Kindergarten–5th | 4.7 | ||
| 8 | 414 students · Pre-K–5th | 3.6 | ||
Private Schools2 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Sonshine Christian SchoolPrivate 58 students · Pre-K–5th | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | Sacred Heart Catholic SchoolPrivate 201 students · Pre-K–8th | Not Rated | ||
Middle Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 765 students · 6th–8th | 7.3 |
| 2 | 557 students · 6th–8th | 5.4 |
High Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,795 students · 9th–12th | 5.8 |
| 2 | 155 students · 9th–12th | 5.2 |
Other Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 186 students · Kindergarten–12th | 3.9 | ||
Private Schools1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Lourdes Catholic SchoolPrivate 292 students · Pre-K–12th | Not Rated | ||
Schools in Nogales
Nogales, Arizona · 16 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$41,309
Median Home Value
$173,600
Median Rent
$700/mo
Population
21,512
College Educated
19%
Homeownership
51%
Avg Commute
20 min
Poverty Rate
25.0%
Community Profile
Nogales has a median household income of $41,309. It is a community where 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $173,600, with a median rent of $700/month. The area has a poverty rate of 25.0%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 20 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Arizona
- Elementary
- 10
- Middle
- 2
- High
- 2
- Other
- 2
Resources
Other Major Cities in Arizona
Top metros statewide by school count.
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Nogales, Arizona
How many schools are in Nogales, Arizona?
Nogales has 16 schools, including 13 public and 3 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Nogales, Arizona?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Nogales is 5.6 out of 10, built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
What is the top-ranked school in Nogales, Arizona?
The top-ranked school in Nogales on MySchoolScout is Robert Bracker Elementary with a composite score of 8.2/10.
What is the best elementary school in Nogales, Arizona?
The top-ranked elementary school in Nogales on MySchoolScout is Robert Bracker Elementary with a composite score of 8.2/10.
What is the best middle school in Nogales, Arizona?
The top-ranked middle school in Nogales on MySchoolScout is Desert Shadows Middle School with a composite score of 7.3/10.
What is the best high school in Nogales, Arizona?
The top-ranked high school in Nogales on MySchoolScout is Nogales High School with a composite score of 5.8/10.
How many school districts serve Nogales, Arizona?
Nogales is served by 3 school districts: Mexicayotl Academy Inc. (4463), Santa Cruz Elementary District (4459), Nogales Unified District (4457).
What is the education level in Nogales, Arizona?
According to Census data, 19% of adults in Nogales have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Nogales, Arizona?
The median household income in Nogales is approximately $41,309 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Nogales, Arizona?
Yes, Nogales has 3 private schools alongside 13 public schools. The top-rated private school is Sonshine Christian School with a score of 5.5/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Nogales, Arizona?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Nogales is 29.3:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Nogales, Arizona?
MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score built from Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context but not scored.
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Data from NCES Common Core of Data, Arizona Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.