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Below Average

#1710 of 2,000 schools in AZ

Gila Bend Elementary

Elementary School · Gila Bend Unified District (4238)

PO BOX V, Gila Bend, AZ 85337

Enrollment

329

Student-Teacher

14.3:1

Score

4.7

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Gila Bend

#2 of 2

public schools

Arizona elementary schools

#1,005 of 1,216

In district

#2 of 2

Gila Bend Unified District (4238)

School environment

9.2 / 10

Exceptional

About Gila Bend Elementary

Gila Bend Elementary serves the community of Gila Bend, Arizona, offering education from pre-kindergarten through 8th grade. With an enrollment of 329 students and a student-teacher ratio of 14.3:1, the school provides personalized attention to each child. The school is located in a remote rural area, where the setting offers a close-knit community atmosphere.

Gila Bend Elementary has a MySchoolScout rating of 3.5 out of 10, ranking 1749 out of 2029 schools in Arizona, placing it in the 14th percentile. The academic performance, as measured by the ELA/Reading and Math proficiency rates, stands at 9% and 6% respectively, indicating areas where the school is focusing on student development. The school's setting within a rural community presents unique challenges but also fosters a strong sense of community among students and families.

The neighborhood around Gila Bend Elementary has a median household income of $47,358, with a median home value of $117,400. The area has a 35.2% poverty rate, and only 8% of the population has a bachelor's degree or higher. Despite these challenges, the school community works together to support the educational needs of its students.

Gila Bend Elementary is an integral part of the small, tight-knit community in Gila Bend.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Gila Bend 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 metrics
Student Progress3.8Fair50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-5.04 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics3.2Fair30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency6%
Reading/ELA Proficiency9%
Overall Proficiency8%
Expected (poverty-adj.)19%
vs. Expected-11.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile13th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.2Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,389

Gila Bend Elementary — Students at Gila Bend Elementary score 8% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 19%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

0.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores AZ EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 13.5%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 11.2%
School
State
N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
27%
ELA
17%
2021*
Math
7.5%
ELA
7.5%
2022
Math
6%
ELA
9%

* 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: 3.8/10.

How Gila Bend Elementary Compares

See how Gila Bend Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.7/10
15th percentile in AZ
Academic
3.2/10
3.2/10
Growth
3.8/10
Below average
Environment
9.2/10
Above average

Location

PO BOX V, Gila Bend, AZ 85337

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Gila Bend Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Marionneaux Elementary School (rated 7.6/10, 31.9 miles away, in nearby Buckeye), which scores notably higher. Another option is Westpark Elementary School (rated 7.6/10, 33.0 miles away, in nearby Buckeye), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Steven R. Jasinski Elementary School (rated 7.2/10, 32.4 miles away, in nearby Buckeye), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Gila Bend, see our Gila Bend schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 33.0 mi
School Distance Rating
West-MEC Gila Bend Gila Bend 0.0 mi
Gila Bend High School Gila Bend 0.0 mi 6.7
Kiser Elementary School Gila Bend 10.2 mi 6.9
Palo Verde Elementary School Palo Verde 27.5 mi 5.5
Arlington Elementary School Arlington 28.7 mi 6.4
Buckeye Elementary School Buckeye 29.8 mi 6.6
Buckeye Union High School Buckeye 30.4 mi 4.5
Bales Elementary School Buckeye 30.7 mi 6.3
GRACE FELLOWSHIP ACADEMY Buckeye 30.9 mi 5.8
Rainbow Valley Elementary School Buckeye 29.9 mi 4.5
ThrivePoint High School at Buckeye Glendale 31.1 mi 6.2
The Odyssey Preparatory Academy Buckeye 31.2 mi 4.1
Mobile Elementary School Maricopa 26.9 mi 5.3
Marionneaux Elementary School Buckeye 31.9 mi 7.6
Westar Elementary School Goodyear 30.6 mi 6.1
Skyview High School Buckeye 32.2 mi 5.6
Steven R. Jasinski Elementary School Buckeye 32.4 mi 7.2
Estrella Foothills High School Goodyear 31.0 mi 4.3
West-MEC - Estrella Foothills High School Goodyear 31.0 mi
Westpark Elementary School Buckeye 33.0 mi 7.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 85337 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$49,260

Median Home Value

$120,800

Median Rent

$1,089/mo

Population

2,396

College Educated

7.8%

Homeownership

64.7%

Poverty Rate

33.5%

Median Age

37.1

Community Profile

The community surrounding Gila Bend Elementary has a median household income of $49,260. It is a community where 8% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $120,800, with a median rent of $1,089/month. The area has a poverty rate of 33.5%, 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
Acorn Montessori Charter School Inc. - West Prescott Valley, AZ 4.7
Beaver Dam Elementary Litchfield Park, AZ 4.7
Blenman Elementary School Tucson, AZ 4.7
Canyon De Chelly Elementary School Chinle, AZ 4.7
Kingman Academy of Learning - Intermediate School Kingman, AZ 4.7
Madison Elementary School Mesa, AZ 4.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Gila Bend Elementary

What grades does Gila Bend Elementary serve?

Gila Bend Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.

How many students attend Gila Bend Elementary?

Gila Bend Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 329 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Gila Bend Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Gila Bend Elementary is 14.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Gila Bend Elementary rank in AZ?

Gila Bend Elementary is ranked #1710 out of 2,000 schools in AZ.

What is Gila Bend Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Gila Bend Elementary has a composite rating of 4.7 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 Gila Bend Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Gila Bend Elementary has 13.5% math proficiency and 11.2% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Gila Bend Elementary a charter school?

No, Gila Bend Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Gila Bend Elementary a Title I school?

No, Gila Bend Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
329
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
23
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Maricopa County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Gila Bend Unified District (4238)
District Enrollment
516
Schools in District
2
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,062
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 methodology

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