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Average

#1029 of 2,000 schools in AZ

Cottonwood Community School

Elementary School · Cottonwood-Oak Creek Elementary District (4487)

1 N WILLARD ST, Cottonwood, AZ 86326

Enrollment

421

Student-Teacher

20:1

Score

6.2

Grades

Kindergarten – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Cottonwood

#3 of 8

public schools

Arizona elementary schools

#637 of 1,216

In district

#3 of 5

Cottonwood-Oak Creek Elementary District (4487)

Academic growth

8.2 / 10

Very strong

About Cottonwood Community School

Cottonwood Community School is a regular public elementary school located in the heart of Cottonwood, Arizona, serving kindergarten through eighth grade students. With an enrollment of 421 students and a student-teacher ratio of 20:1, the school offers a fairly personalized educational experience. The school is led by 21 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to supporting their students' growth.

Cottonwood Community School currently holds a MySchoolScout rating of 3.3 out of 10, ranking in the 10th percentile among Arizona schools. The academic performance, rated at 2.1 out of 10, suggests there is room for improvement in areas like ELA and math, where only 19% and 8% of students, respectively, are proficient or above. Despite these challenges, the school remains a vital part of the community, focusing on the development and well-being of its students.

Cottonwood is a charming town with a diverse community, where about 16.4% of residents live below the poverty line. The median household income is $51,637, and the median home value is $277,900. The area is home to approximately 24,486 people, with 24% holding a bachelor's degree or higher.

Cottonwood Community School is an integral part of this supportive and engaged community.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at Cottonwood Community School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.2Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.17 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics3.0Fair30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency8%
Reading/ELA Proficiency19%
Overall Proficiency14%
Expected (poverty-adj.)35%
vs. Expected-21.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile12th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment6.0Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio20:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,435

Cottonwood Community School — Students at Cottonwood Community School score 14% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 35%).

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 10.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 16.7%
School
State
N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
15%
ELA
18%
2021*
Math
8%
ELA
13%
2022
Math
8%
ELA
19%

* 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: 8.2/10.

How Cottonwood Community School Compares

See how Cottonwood Community School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.2/10
49th percentile in AZ
Academic
3.0/10
3.0/10
Growth
8.2/10
Above average
Environment
6.0/10
Above average

Location

1 N WILLARD ST, Cottonwood, AZ 86326

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Cottonwood Community School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Desert Star Community School (rated 7.3/10, 7.9 miles away, in nearby Cornville), which scores notably higher. Another option is Oak Creek Elementary School (rated 7.1/10, 6.9 miles away, in nearby Cornville), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Clarkdale-Jerome Elementary School (rated 6.4/10, 3.1 miles away, in nearby Clarkdale), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Cottonwood, see our Cottonwood schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 14.1 mi
School Distance Rating
RISE RESOURCE CENTER Cottonwood 0.1 mi 4.0
Cottonwood Education Services Cottonwood 0.2 mi 7.2
VERDE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Cottonwood 0.3 mi 5.3
Liberty Leadership Academy Cottonwood 0.9 mi 6.1
American Heritage Academy - Cottonwood Cottonwood 1.2 mi 5.6
Dr Daniel Bright Elementary School Cottonwood 1.9 mi 6.1
Mingus Union High School Cottonwood 2.0 mi 4.9
Mingus Online Academy Cottonwood 2.0 mi
VACTE - Valley Academy for Career and Technology Education Cottonwood 2.4 mi
Clarkdale-Jerome Elementary School Clarkdale 3.1 mi 6.4
Mountain View Preparatory School Cottonwood 3.5 mi 5.7
Oak Creek Elementary School Cornville 6.9 mi 7.1
Desert Star Community School Cornville 7.9 mi 7.3
MINGUS MOUNTAIN ACADEMY Prescott Valley 11.5 mi 8.2
VACTE - Sedona-Oak Creek Joint Unified School District Sedona 13.2 mi
Sedona Red Rock Junior/Senior High School Sedona 13.2 mi 5.1
Red Rock Academy Sedona 13.2 mi
VACTE - Yavapai College Sedona Center Sedona 13.4 mi
Camp Verde Middle School Camp Verde 14.1 mi 5.2
Camp Verde High School Camp Verde 14.1 mi 6.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 86326 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$58,250

Median Home Value

$312,400

Median Rent

$1,102/mo

Population

25,476

College Educated

24.8%

Homeownership

64%

Avg Commute

20.9 min

Poverty Rate

13.8%

Median Age

50.1

Community Profile

The community surrounding Cottonwood Community School has a median household income of $58,250. It is an area where 25% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $312,400, with a median rent of $1,102/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.8%. The average commute for residents is 21 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
Copper Ridge Elementary Corona De Tucson, AZ 6.2
Kaizen Education Foundation dba South Pointe Elementary Scho Tempe, AZ 6.2
Rio Colorado Elementary School San Luis, AZ 6.2
SS SIMON AND JUDE CATHEDRAL SCHOOL Phoenix, AZ 6.2
Whispering Wind Academy Phoenix, AZ 6.2
Williams Elementary/Middle School Williams, AZ 6.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Cottonwood Community School

What grades does Cottonwood Community School serve?

Cottonwood Community School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.

How many students attend Cottonwood Community School?

Cottonwood Community School has an enrollment of approximately 421 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Cottonwood Community School?

The student-teacher ratio at Cottonwood Community School is 20:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Cottonwood Community School rank in AZ?

Cottonwood Community School is ranked #1029 out of 2,000 schools in AZ.

What is Cottonwood Community School's MySchoolScout rating?

Cottonwood Community School has a composite rating of 6.2 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 Cottonwood Community School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Cottonwood Community School has 10.3% math proficiency and 16.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Cottonwood Community School a charter school?

No, Cottonwood Community School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Cottonwood Community School a Title I school?

No, Cottonwood Community School is not currently a Title I school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
Elevated (1,391/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
421
Student-Teacher Ratio
20:1
Teachers (FTE)
21
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Town
County
Yavapai County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Cottonwood-Oak Creek Elementary District (4487)
District Enrollment
1,742
Schools in District
6
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,818
District Rank
#3 of 5

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

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