Skip to main content

Excellent

#95 of 2,000 schools in AZ

Top 5% in state

Carden of Tucson

Elementary School · Carden of Tucson Inc. (78858)

5260 N ROYAL PALM DR, Tucson, AZ 85705

Charter

Enrollment

65

Score

8.5

Grades

Kindergarten – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Tucson

#10 of 246

public schools

Arizona elementary schools

#83 of 1,216

Academic growth

9.7 / 10

Exceptional

About Carden of Tucson

Carden of Tucson is a public elementary school in Tucson, AZ, part of the Carden of Tucson Inc. (78858). The school serves approximately 65 students in grades Kindergarten – 8th. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.5/10, placing it in the 95.3th percentile among AZ schools — an above average rating overall.

Students demonstrate 40% proficiency in math and 47% in reading/language arts. The school scores particularly well in student growth (9.7/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $36,606, where 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

The school is situated in a large suburban setting.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 65 students, Carden of Tucson is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

Carden of Tucson is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.7Exceptional50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+2.17 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendImproving
Academics8.6Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency44.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency54.5%
Overall Proficiency50%
Expected (poverty-adj.)33%
vs. Expected+16.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile78th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment5.4Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Per-Pupil Spending$12,315

Carden of Tucson — Students at Carden of Tucson score 50% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

0.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores AZ EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 40.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 47.0%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from AZ state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
42%
ELA
42%
2021*
Math
34.5%
ELA
44.5%
2022
Math
44.5%
ELA
54.5%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.7/10.

How Carden of Tucson Compares

See how Carden of Tucson performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.5/10
95th percentile in AZ
Academic
8.6/10
8.6/10
Growth
9.7/10
Above average
Environment
5.4/10
Above average

Location

5260 N ROYAL PALM DR, Tucson, AZ 85705

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Carden of Tucson may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. J Robert Hendricks Elementary School (rated 7.9/10, 1.7 miles away), with a comparable rating. Another option is Marion Donaldson Elementary School (rated 7.7/10, 2.2 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, FAITH COMMUNITY ACADEMY (rated 6.8/10, 1.3 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Tucson, see our Tucson schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Laguna Elementary School Tucson 0.5 mi 5.8
Sonoran Science Academy - Tucson Tucson 0.5 mi 5.6
Sonoran Virtual Academy Tucson 0.5 mi 5.1
Pima County JTED - Master Pieces Tucson 0.7 mi
Emily Meschter Early Learning Center Tucson 1.0 mi 6.7
Flowing Wells Junior High School Tucson 1.1 mi 5.8
Centennial Elementary School Tucson 1.2 mi 4.9
FAITH COMMUNITY ACADEMY Tucson 1.3 mi 6.8
Lulu Walker School Tucson 1.2 mi 6.6
J Robert Hendricks Elementary School Tucson 1.7 mi 7.9
Homer Davis Elementary School Tucson 1.8 mi 5.7
Mountain Rose Academy Tucson 1.9 mi 6.3
La Cima Middle School Tucson 1.8 mi 5.9
Robert Richardson Elementary School Tucson 2.2 mi 5.9
Marion Donaldson Elementary School Tucson 2.2 mi 7.7
Robins Elementary School Tucson 2.4 mi 6.3
Academy of Math and Science Tucson 2.6 mi 5.5
Pima County JTED - Flowing Wells Tucson 2.5 mi
Flowing Wells High School Tucson 2.5 mi 6.4
Sentinel Peak High School Tucson 2.8 mi 6.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 85705 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$36,606

Median Home Value

$113,700

Median Rent

$924/mo

Population

54,853

College Educated

20.1%

Homeownership

46%

Avg Commute

21.6 min

Poverty Rate

29.1%

Median Age

34.6

Community Profile

The community surrounding Carden of Tucson has a median household income of $36,606. It is a community where 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $113,700, with a median rent of $924/month. The area has a poverty rate of 29.1%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 22 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
DYNAMITE MONTESSORI Cave Creek, AZ 8.5
Arizona Language Preparatory Phoenix, AZ 8.4
Montessori De Santa Cruz Charter School Tubac, AZ 8.6
Tonto Basin Elementary Tonto Basin, AZ 8.4
Wenden Elementary School Wenden, AZ 8.6
HEARTWOOD MONTESSORI Mesa, AZ 8.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Carden of Tucson

What grades does Carden of Tucson serve?

Carden of Tucson serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.

How many students attend Carden of Tucson?

Carden of Tucson has an enrollment of approximately 65 students.

How does Carden of Tucson rank in AZ?

Carden of Tucson is ranked #95 out of 2,000 schools in AZ.

What is Carden of Tucson's MySchoolScout rating?

Carden of Tucson has a composite rating of 8.5 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Carden of Tucson?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Carden of Tucson has 40.3% math proficiency and 47.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Carden of Tucson a charter school?

Yes, Carden of Tucson is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.

Is Carden of Tucson a Title I school?

No, Carden of Tucson is not currently a Title I school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
31 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
61 Bikeable
City Safety
High (3,922/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Tucson). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
65
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Pima County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Carden of Tucson Inc. (78858)
District Enrollment
65
Schools in District
1
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,984
District Rank
#1 of 1

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.