Excellent
#200 of 2,000 schools in AZ
Top 10% in state
Based on limited data
Cottonwood Day School
Elementary School · Cottonwood Day School
Navajo Route 4, Chinle, AZ 86503
Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on AZ statewide data. Learn more
Enrollment
140
Student-Teacher
14:1
Score
8.1
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
140
Student-Teacher
14:1
Score
8.1
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
Arizona elementary schools
#156 of 1,216
School environment
9.8 / 10
Exceptional
About Cottonwood Day School
Cottonwood Day School serves 140 students in kindergarten through eighth grade in the remote rural community of Chinle, Arizona. With 10 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a favorable student-teacher ratio of 14:1, allowing for more personalized attention in the classroom. The school has earned recognition for its performance, ranking #451 out of 2,029 Arizona schools and placing in the 78th percentile statewide.
This solid ranking of 7.1 out of 10 from MySchoolScout reflects the school's commitment to serving its students effectively within the unique context of its rural Apache County location. As a regular public elementary school, Cottonwood Day School serves a community where families face economic challenges, with a median household income of $29,624 and a poverty rate of 37.7% in the surrounding area. Despite these challenges, the school's strong statewide ranking demonstrates its dedication to providing quality education to its students.
The school's setting in remote rural Arizona, located on Navajo Route 4, reflects its role as an important educational anchor for families in this sparsely populated region of Apache County, where community connections and educational opportunities are particularly valuable.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 140 students, Cottonwood Day School 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.
Located in a rural area, Cottonwood Day School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
Partial Profile · 2/3 metricsRequires 2+ years of test data
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
97.9%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Component weights adjusted due to data availability.
Test Scores
Test score data not yet available for this school.
How Cottonwood Day School Compares
See how Cottonwood Day School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
Navajo Route 4, Chinle, AZ 86503
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Cottonwood Day School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Jeehdeez'a Elementary School (rated 8.1/10, 15.5 miles away, in nearby Pinon), with a very similar rating. Another option is Black Mesa Community School (rated 8.1/10, 20.8 miles away, in nearby Pinon), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Pinon Community School (rated 8.1/10, 18.7 miles away, in nearby Pinon), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Chinle, see our Chinle schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 29.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Jeehdeez'a Elementary School Pinon | 15.5 mi | 8.1 |
| Chinle Elementary School Chinle | 17.8 mi | 6.8 |
| Chinle Junior High School Chinle | 17.8 mi | 6.4 |
| Mesa View Elementary Chinle | 17.9 mi | 4.0 |
| Black Mesa Community School Pinon | 20.8 mi | 8.1 |
| Canyon De Chelly Elementary School Chinle | 18.0 mi | 4.7 |
| Chinle High School Chinle | 18.2 mi | 5.8 |
| Pinon Elementary School Pinon | 18.4 mi | 7.5 |
| Pinon Accelerated Middle School Pinon | 18.4 mi | 6.9 |
| Pinon High School Pinon | 18.4 mi | 7.0 |
| Pinon Community School Pinon | 18.7 mi | 8.1 |
| Rough Rock Community School Chinle | 23.5 mi | — |
| Many Farms Elementary School Chinle | 24.3 mi | 7.3 |
| Many Farms Community School Many Farms | 24.3 mi | 8.1 |
| Many Farms High School Many Farms | 24.3 mi | — |
| Jeddito School Keams Canyon | 25.0 mi | 7.1 |
| Keams Canyon Elementary School Keams Canyon | 24.7 mi | 6.2 |
| Ganado High School Ganado | 26.6 mi | 5.6 |
| Nazlini Community School Ganado | 27.4 mi | 8.1 |
| NATIVE - Hopi HS Keams Canyon | 29.3 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 86503 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$30,313
Median Home Value
$39,500
Median Rent
$523/mo
Population
10,122
College Educated
13.2%
Homeownership
73%
Poverty Rate
36.7%
Median Age
35.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding Cottonwood Day School has a median household income of $30,313. It is a community where 13% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $39,500, with a median rent of $523/month. The area has a poverty rate of 36.7%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Hotevilla Bacavi Community School Hotevilla, AZ | 8.1 |
| Kin Dah Lichi'i Olta Ganado, AZ | 8.1 |
| Mohave Accelerated Elementary School East Bullhead City, AZ | 8.1 |
| Red Rock Day School Red Valley, AZ | 8.1 |
| AmeriSchools Academy - Yuma Phoenix, AZ | 8.0 |
| Candeo North Scottsdale Scottsdale, AZ | 8.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Cottonwood Day School
What grades does Cottonwood Day School serve?
Cottonwood Day School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.
How many students attend Cottonwood Day School?
Cottonwood Day School has an enrollment of approximately 140 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Cottonwood Day School?
The student-teacher ratio at Cottonwood Day School is 14:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Cottonwood Day School rank in AZ?
Cottonwood Day School is ranked #200 out of 2,000 schools in AZ.
What is Cottonwood Day School's MySchoolScout rating?
Cottonwood Day School has a composite rating of 8.1 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.
Is Cottonwood Day School a charter school?
No, Cottonwood Day School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Cottonwood Day School a Title I school?
No, Cottonwood Day School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Cottonwood Day School?
97.9% of students at Cottonwood Day School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 8th
- Enrollment
- 140
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 10
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 97.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Apache County
- Phone
- (928) 725-3235
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
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 methodologyRelated reading
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