Very Good
#656 of 2,006 schools in AZ
Top 33% in state
Lafe Nelson School
Elementary School · Safford Unified District (4218)
1100 S 10TH AVE, Safford, AZ 85546
Enrollment
462
Student-Teacher
25.7:1
Score
7.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
462
Student-Teacher
25.7:1
Score
7.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Arizona schools
#656 of 2,006
In Safford
#4 of 7
public schools
In district
#4 of 6
Safford Unified District (4218)
Academic growth
8.2 / 10
Excellent
Shortlisting around Lafe Nelson School?
Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Lafe Nelson School
Elementary School in Safford · grades Kindergarten – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Ruth Powell Elementary School
0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Safford Middle School
0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Lafe Nelson School
Lafe Nelson School is a public elementary school in Safford, AZ, part of Safford Unified District (4218). Lafe Nelson School serves approximately 462 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-6th, and has a 25.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Lafe Nelson School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.2 out of 10 and ranks #656 of 2,006 schools in AZ.
Structured state assessment records for Lafe Nelson School show 52% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 56% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 7.2 · Very Good
- District avg 7.2
- AZ avg 6.4
What Parents Should Know
Lafe Nelson School runs 25.7:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.
34% of students at Lafe Nelson School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Lafe Nelson School — Students at Lafe Nelson School score 44% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 39%).
Test Scores AZ EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 28 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: 8.2/10.
How Lafe Nelson School Compares
See how Lafe Nelson School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
1100 S 10TH AVE, Safford, AZ 85546
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Lafe Nelson School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Jack Daley Primary School (rated 9.1/10, 2.8 miles away, in nearby Thatcher), which scores notably higher. Another option is Dorothy Stinson School (rated 7.4/10, 0.8 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Thatcher Elementary School (rated 7.2/10, 2.8 miles away, in nearby Thatcher), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Safford, see our Safford schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 7.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Ruth Powell Elementary School Safford | 0.2 mi | 6.9 |
| Safford Middle School Safford | 0.3 mi | 4.6 |
| GIFT - Safford High School Thatcher | 0.4 mi | — |
| Safford High School Safford | 0.4 mi | 7.4 |
| Dorothy Stinson School Safford | 0.8 mi | 7.4 |
| Triumphant Learning Center Safford | 0.9 mi | 3.9 |
| Mt Graham High School Safford | 1.7 mi | 7.7 |
| Thatcher High School Thatcher | 2.3 mi | 8.7 |
| Thatcher Middle School Thatcher | 2.7 mi | 6.1 |
| Eagle Online Academy Thatcher | 2.7 mi | 3.7 |
| Thatcher Elementary School Thatcher | 2.8 mi | 7.2 |
| Jack Daley Primary School Thatcher | 2.8 mi | 9.1 |
| GIFT - Gila Institute for Technology Thatcher | 2.8 mi | — |
| Solomon Elementary School Solomon | 5.2 mi | 5.7 |
| Dan Hinton Accommodation School Pima | 7.4 mi | 7.4 |
| Pima Junior High School Pima | 7.5 mi | 5.2 |
| GIFT - Pima High School Thatcher | 7.7 mi | — |
| Pima High School Pima | 7.7 mi | 8.0 |
| Pima Elementary School Pima | 7.7 mi | 5.3 |
| Gila Valley Learning Center Pima | 7.7 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 85546 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$61,930
Median Home Value
$192,700
Median Rent
$930/mo
Population
20,735
College Educated
13.1%
Homeownership
75.7%
Avg Commute
23.7 min
Poverty Rate
15.1%
Median Age
35.5
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Bonillas Elementary Basic Curriculum Magnet School Tucson, AZ | 7.2 |
| Brinton Elementary Mesa, AZ | 7.2 |
| Gilbert Elementary School Gilbert, AZ | 7.2 |
| Henry Hank Oyama Tucson, AZ | 7.2 |
| Jamaica Elementary School Lake Havasu City, AZ | 7.2 |
| Joseph P. Spracale Elementary School Tempe, AZ | 7.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Lafe Nelson School
What grades does Lafe Nelson School serve?
Lafe Nelson School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.
How many students attend Lafe Nelson School?
Lafe Nelson School has an enrollment of approximately 462 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Lafe Nelson School?
The student-teacher ratio at Lafe Nelson School is 25.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Lafe Nelson School rank in AZ?
Lafe Nelson School ranks #656 of 2,006 schools in AZ.
What is Lafe Nelson School's MySchoolScout rating?
Lafe Nelson School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.2 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Lafe Nelson School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Lafe Nelson School has 52% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 56% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
Is Lafe Nelson School a charter school?
No, Lafe Nelson School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Lafe Nelson School a Title I school?
No, Lafe Nelson School is not currently a Title I school.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 6th
- Enrollment
- 462
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 25.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 18
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Town
- County
- Graham County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 33.5%
- Phone
- (928) 348-7020
Resources & Links
District
Safford Unified District (4218)- District Enrollment
- 2,895
- Schools in District
- 6
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $10,262
- District Rank
- #4 of 6
Other Schools in This District
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateRelated reading
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.