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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 Score

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

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 metrics
Student ProgressNot Available

Requires 2+ years of test data

Academics6.3Above Average49%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.·Area estimate · Based on AZ state average
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.8Exceptional51%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14:1

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/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.

Overall Score
8.1/10
90th percentile in AZ
Academic
6.3/10
6.3/10
Environment
9.8/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
98%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
10 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
0 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
25 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Low (192/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Cottonwood Day School
District Enrollment
140
Schools in District
1
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

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