Average
#753 of 2,000 schools in AZ
Top 38% 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
6.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
462
Student-Teacher
25.7:1
Score
6.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Safford
#3 of 7
public schools
Arizona elementary schools
#501 of 1,216
In district
#3 of 6
Safford Unified District (4218)
Academic performance
7.8 / 10
Very strong
About Lafe Nelson School
Lafe Nelson School is an elementary school located in Safford, Graham County, Arizona. Serving kindergarten through sixth grade students, the school has a total enrollment of 462 pupils and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 25.7:1 with 18 full-time equivalent teachers. Lafe Nelson School is part of the regular public school system in this remote town setting.
The academic performance at Lafe Nelson School reflects room for improvement, as indicated by its MySchoolScout rating of 6.1 out of 10 and a state ranking of #756 out of 2029 schools in Arizona (placing it around the 63rd percentile). The school's ELA/Reading proficiency rate is 44%, while Math proficiency stands at 48%. These scores suggest that Lafe Nelson School focuses on student development and continuous improvement.
Lafe Nelson School sits in a rural area of Safford, offering a close-knit community where teachers and families work together to support students' educational journeys.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Lafe Nelson School is 25.7:1, 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.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Lafe Nelson School — Students at Lafe Nelson School score 44% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 39%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
0.1%
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: 7.6/10.
How Lafe Nelson School Compares
See how Lafe Nelson School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 53% (2019) to 45% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 45% (2019) to 42% (2022).
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. Dorothy Stinson School (rated 7.4/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Thatcher Elementary School (rated 7.3/10, 2.8 miles away, in nearby Thatcher), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Pima Elementary School (rated 7.3/10, 7.7 miles away, in nearby Pima), which scores slightly higher. 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 | 5.2 |
| Safford Middle School Safford | 0.3 mi | 6.1 |
| GIFT - Safford High School Thatcher | 0.4 mi | — |
| Safford High School Safford | 0.4 mi | 5.3 |
| Dorothy Stinson School Safford | 0.8 mi | 7.4 |
| Triumphant Learning Center Safford | 0.9 mi | 4.9 |
| Mt Graham High School Safford | 1.7 mi | 7.2 |
| Thatcher High School Thatcher | 2.3 mi | 7.8 |
| Thatcher Middle School Thatcher | 2.7 mi | 7.4 |
| Eagle Online Academy Thatcher | 2.7 mi | 5.2 |
| Thatcher Elementary School Thatcher | 2.8 mi | 7.3 |
| Jack Daley Primary School Thatcher | 2.8 mi | 6.0 |
| GIFT - Gila Institute for Technology Thatcher | 2.8 mi | — |
| Solomon Elementary School Solomon | 5.2 mi | 5.2 |
| Dan Hinton Accommodation School Pima | 7.4 mi | 7.9 |
| Pima Junior High School Pima | 7.5 mi | 6.4 |
| GIFT - Pima High School Thatcher | 7.7 mi | — |
| Pima High School Pima | 7.7 mi | 5.5 |
| Pima Elementary School Pima | 7.7 mi | 7.3 |
| 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Lafe Nelson School has a median household income of $61,930. It is a community where 13% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $192,700, with a median rent of $930/month. The area has a poverty rate of 15.1%. The average commute for residents is 24 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| BASIS Chandler Primary- South Campus Chandler, AZ | 6.8 |
| Chinle Elementary School Chinle, AZ | 6.8 |
| Coronado Elementary School Hereford, AZ | 6.8 |
| Esperanza Elementary School Phoenix, AZ | 6.8 |
| Heartland Ranch Elementary School Coolidge, AZ | 6.8 |
| Jefferson Elementary School Mesa, AZ | 6.8 |
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 is ranked #753 out of 2,000 schools in AZ.
What is Lafe Nelson School's MySchoolScout rating?
Lafe Nelson School has a composite rating of 6.8 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 Lafe Nelson School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Lafe Nelson School has 47.7% math proficiency and 44.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
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
- County Safety
- Low (134/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (928) 348-7020
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Safford Unified District (4218)- District Enrollment
- 2,895
- Schools in District
- 6
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $10,262
- District Rank
- #3 of 6
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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