Phoenix Elementary District (4256) School District
School District · Phoenix, Arizona
Avg Rating
7.0
out of 10
Schools
15
15 elem
Enrollment
5,034
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.6:1
Avg Rating
7.0
out of 10
Schools
15
15 elem
Enrollment
5,034
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.6:1
How this district compares
Arizona rank
#40 of 203
districts by avg. composite
Vs. state average
+0.6
above Arizona avg
Per-pupil spending
$16,785
+$5,609 vs Arizona median
District size
5,034 students
Much larger than Arizona median
The short answer
Phoenix Elementary District (4256) ranks #40 of 203 Arizona districts by overall school rating. Phoenix Elementary District (4256)'s schools with real test data average 6.9/10 across 13 schools. Its top-rated schools are Augustus H. Shaw Montessori (9.5/10), Ralph Waldo Emerson Elementary School (8.8/10), and Magnet Traditional School (8.3/10). Schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
STAAR proficiency rose +11.8 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among Phoenix Elementary District (4256) schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in Phoenix Elementary District (4256)
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite rating using only schools with real test data (13 of 15). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Augustus H. Shaw Montessori | 9.5 / 10 |
| 2 | Ralph Waldo Emerson Elementary School | 8.8 / 10 |
| 3 | Magnet Traditional School | 8.3 / 10 |
| 4 | Mary Mcleod Bethune School | 7.7 / 10 |
| 5 | Garfield School | 7.5 / 10 |
| 6 | Paul Dunbar Lawrence School | 7.5 / 10 |
| 7 | Lowell Elementary School | 7.2 / 10 |
| 8 | Kenilworth Elementary School | 7.1 / 10 |
| 9 | Capitol Elementary School | 6.4 / 10 |
| 10 | Silvestre S Herrera School | 6.0 / 10 |
See all 15 schools — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
About Phoenix Elementary District (4256)
Phoenix Elementary District (4256) is a Phoenix, Arizona school district serving 15 schools.The district educates 5,034 students with a student-teacher ratio of 14.6:1. District-level spending was $16,785 per student in fiscal year 2023 (NCES F-33).
With an average rating of 7.0/10, Phoenix Elementary District (4256) demonstrates solid academic performance.
The highest-rated school in the district is Augustus H. Shaw Montessori, which has a composite score of 9.5/10.
In standardized testing, Phoenix Elementary District (4256) students show an average math proficiency of 33.3% and ELA proficiency of 40.3%.
The district includes 15 elementary schools.
District Map
Schools in Phoenix Elementary District (4256), colored by MySchoolScout rank. Click a pin for details.
District Average Test Scores
Average proficiency across all schools in Phoenix Elementary District (4256) with test data.
Schools in Phoenix Elementary District (4256)
15 schoolsElementary Schools15
District Details
- State
- Arizona
- City
- Phoenix
- Total Enrollment
- 5,034
- Teachers (FTE)
- 344
- District spending per student
- $16,785NCES F-33 · FY 2023 · This annual source is three years behind the current year.
- Child poverty rate
- 25.4%Census SAIPE · 2024
- District directory year
- 2023
Frequently Asked Questions
How many schools are in Phoenix Elementary District (4256)?
Phoenix Elementary District (4256) has 15 schools in total — 15 elementary. You can explore each school's ratings and details on this page.
What is the average rating for Phoenix Elementary District (4256)?
The average composite rating for Phoenix Elementary District (4256) is 7.0/10. This score is calculated from the individual ratings of all schools with academic data in the district.
What is the district spending per student in Phoenix Elementary District (4256)?
Phoenix Elementary District (4256)'s district-level spending was $16,785 per student in fiscal year 2023, according to NCES F-33. This is district context, not an individual-school expense.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Phoenix Elementary District (4256)?
The average student-teacher ratio in Phoenix Elementary District (4256) is 14.6:1.
What is the top-rated school in Phoenix Elementary District (4256)?
Augustus H. Shaw Montessori is the highest-rated school in Phoenix Elementary District (4256) with a composite score of 9.5/10.
What are the test scores in Phoenix Elementary District (4256)?
Across schools in Phoenix Elementary District (4256) with test data, the average math proficiency is 33.3% and the average ELA (reading/writing) proficiency is 40.3%. These figures represent the percentage of students meeting or exceeding grade-level standards.
How does Phoenix Elementary District (4256) compare to other districts in Arizona?
Phoenix Elementary District (4256) has an average school rating of 7.0/10 across 15 schools. Families can compare this to other districts in Arizona by visiting individual district pages. Factors like school size, available programs, and community demographics also play a role in choosing the right fit.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools?
MySchoolScout ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic performance, and learning environment — plus college readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context without being factored into the score. Learn more about our rating system on our methodology page.
District Averages
- Overall Rating
- 7.0/10
- Math Proficiency
- 33.3%
- ELA Proficiency
- 40.3%
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 rateOther School Districts in AZ
Compare Phoenix Elementary District (4256) with neighboring districts in the state.
- Tucson Unified District (4403) (90)
- Mesa Unified District (4235) (78)
- West-Mec - Western Maricopa Education Center (80923) (59)
- Pima County Jted (89380) (55)
- East Valley Institute of Technology (4516) (50)
- Paradise Valley Unified District (4241) (45)
- Chandler Unified District #80 (4242) (44)
- Peoria Unified School District (4237) (44)
- Deer Valley Unified District (4246) (41)
- Gilbert Unified District (4239) (38)
- Washington Elementary School District (4260) (33)
- Scottsdale Unified District (4240) (30)
- Kyrene Elementary District (4267) (26)
- Dysart Unified District (4243) (25)
- Cartwright Elementary District (4282) (23)
- Tempe School District (4258) (23)
- Vail Unified District (4413) (23)
- Amphitheater Unified District (4406) (22)
- Sunnyside Unified District (4407) (22)
- Marana Unified District (4404) (20)
- Phoenix Union High School District (4286) (20)
- Roosevelt Elementary District (4279) (20)
- Arizona State Schools for the Deaf and the Blind (6393) (19)
- Litchfield Elementary District (4281) (19)
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.
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