Average
#1473 of 2,000 schools in AZ
Cottonwood Elementary
Elementary School · Colorado City Unified District (4370)
PO BOX 309, Colorado City, AZ 86021
Enrollment
357
Student-Teacher
21:1
Score
5.3
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
357
Student-Teacher
21:1
Score
5.3
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Colorado City
#3 of 3
public schools
Arizona elementary schools
#875 of 1,216
In district
#2 of 2
Colorado City Unified District (4370)
Academic performance
8.0 / 10
Very strong
About Cottonwood Elementary
Cottonwood Elementary is a regular public school located in the remote rural area of Colorado City, Arizona, serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. With an enrollment of 357 students and a student-teacher ratio of 21:1, the school benefits from a community that values education, despite its modest resources. Cottonwood Elementary has 17 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to the academic and social development of its students.
The school's MySchoolScout rating is 5.9 out of 10, placing it at the 57th percentile among Arizona's 2029 public schools, with an academic score of 6.4 out of 10. While 37% of students are proficient in both ELA/Reading and Math, Cottonwood Elementary is focusing on providing additional support to help all students reach their full potential. The school is situated in a community where 13% of adults have a bachelor's degree or higher, and the median household income is $62,279, with a median home value of $217,100.
Despite the area's poverty rate of 29.4%, the community is close-knit and supportive, fostering a nurturing environment for learning and growth. Cottonwood Elementary thrives in a setting that emphasizes personal connections and community involvement.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Cottonwood Elementary is 21:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.
Located in a rural area, Cottonwood Elementary 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
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
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Cottonwood Elementary — Students at Cottonwood Elementary score 37% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 17%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
0.3%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores AZ EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 test records from AZ state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 2.7/10.
How Cottonwood Elementary Compares
See how Cottonwood Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 57% (2019) to 37% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 57% (2019) to 37% (2022).
Location
PO BOX 309, Colorado City, AZ 86021
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Cottonwood Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Valley School (rated 8.8/10, 26.9 miles away, in nearby Orderville), which scores notably higher. Another option is Three Falls School (rated 8.2/10, 21.7 miles away, in nearby Hurricane), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Valley Academy (rated 8.0/10, 22.7 miles away, in nearby Hurricane), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Colorado City, see our Colorado City schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 24.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Water Canyon High Hildale | 0.9 mi | 7.8 |
| Water Canyon School Hildale | 1.0 mi | 5.7 |
| El Capitan Public School Colorado City | 1.9 mi | 7.5 |
| CENTENNIAL ACADEMY Centennial Park | 2.4 mi | 5.8 |
| Masada Charter School Colorado City | 2.5 mi | 7.5 |
| Springdale School Springdale | 13.7 mi | 2.2 |
| LaVerkin School Laverkin | 22.0 mi | 4.1 |
| Hurricane Intermediate Hurricane | 21.4 mi | 6.6 |
| Three Falls School Hurricane | 21.7 mi | 8.2 |
| Hurricane High Hurricane | 21.9 mi | 5.0 |
| SUNRISE ACADEMY La Verkin | 22.6 mi | 5.6 |
| Hurricane Middle Hurricane | 22.2 mi | 5.4 |
| Hurricane School Hurricane | 22.7 mi | 7.4 |
| Valley Academy Hurricane | 22.7 mi | 8.0 |
| Valley School Orderville | 26.9 mi | 8.8 |
| Valley High Orderville | 27.0 mi | 6.5 |
| Kanab Middle Kanab | 24.5 mi | 8.3 |
| Kanab School Kanab | 24.6 mi | 5.6 |
| Kanab High Kanab | 24.6 mi | 8.0 |
| Kane Preschool Kanab | 24.7 mi | 6.7 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 86021 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$75,781
Median Home Value
$239,400
Median Rent
$1,397/mo
Population
4,619
College Educated
15.8%
Homeownership
67.6%
Poverty Rate
18.3%
Median Age
19
Community Profile
The community surrounding Cottonwood Elementary has a median household income of $75,781. It is a community where 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $239,400, with a median rent of $1,397/month. The area has a poverty rate of 18.3%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Aguilar School Tempe, AZ | 5.3 |
| CHRIST LUTHERAN SCHOOL Phoenix, AZ | 5.3 |
| Fort Mohave Elementary School Fort Mohave, AZ | 5.3 |
| Hidden Hills Elementary School Phoenix, AZ | 5.3 |
| Imagine Bell Canyon Phoenix, AZ | 5.3 |
| John F Kennedy Elementary School Phoenix, AZ | 5.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Cottonwood Elementary
What grades does Cottonwood Elementary serve?
Cottonwood Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Cottonwood Elementary?
Cottonwood Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 357 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Cottonwood Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Cottonwood Elementary is 21:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Cottonwood Elementary rank in AZ?
Cottonwood Elementary is ranked #1473 out of 2,000 schools in AZ.
What is Cottonwood Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Cottonwood Elementary has a composite rating of 5.3 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 Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Cottonwood Elementary has 48.7% math proficiency and 48.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Cottonwood Elementary a charter school?
No, Cottonwood Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Cottonwood Elementary a Title I school?
No, Cottonwood Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (2,229/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Colorado City). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 357
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 21:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 17
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Mohave County
- Phone
- (928) 875-9050
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Colorado City Unified District (4370)- District Enrollment
- 557
- Schools in District
- 2
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,240
- District Rank
- #2 of 2
Other Schools in This District
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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