Excellent
#117 of 2,006 schools in AZ
Top 6% in state
Mesquite Elementary School
Elementary School · Vail Unified District (4413)
9455 E RITA RD, Tucson, AZ 85747
Enrollment
677
Student-Teacher
17.4:1
Score
8.9
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
677
Student-Teacher
17.4:1
Score
8.9
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Arizona schools
#117 of 2,006
In Tucson
#10 of 257
public schools
In district
#5 of 23
Vail Unified District (4413)
Academic performance
9.7 / 10
Excellent
Shortlisting around Mesquite Elementary 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.
Mesquite Elementary School
Elementary School in Tucson · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Desert Willow Elementary School
0.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Desert Sky Middle School
0.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Mesquite Elementary School
Mesquite Elementary School is a public elementary school in Tucson, AZ, part of Vail Unified District (4413). Mesquite Elementary School serves approximately 677 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 17.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Mesquite Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.9 out of 10 and ranks #117 of 2,006 schools in AZ.
Structured state assessment records for Mesquite Elementary School show 83% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 79% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 8.9 · Excellent
- District avg 8.4
- AZ avg 6.4
What Parents Should Know
36% of students at Mesquite Elementary 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
Mesquite Elementary School — Students at Mesquite Elementary School score 76% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 49%).
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: 9.1/10.
How Mesquite Elementary School Compares
See how Mesquite Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
9455 E RITA RD, Tucson, AZ 85747
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Mesquite Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Esmond Station School (rated 9.2/10, 3.2 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Senita Valley Elementary School (rated 9.0/10, 2.4 miles away, in nearby Vail), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Desert Willow Elementary School (rated 8.4/10, 0.8 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Tucson, see our Tucson schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 5.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Desert Willow Elementary School Tucson | 0.8 mi | 8.4 |
| Desert Sky Middle School Tucson | 0.8 mi | 6.7 |
| Cottonwood Elementary School Vail | 1.6 mi | 8.2 |
| PCJTED - Mica Mountain High School Tucson | 1.7 mi | — |
| Mica Mountain High Tucson | 1.7 mi | 6.3 |
| Rincon Vista Middle School Tucson | 2.4 mi | 6.5 |
| Empire High School Tucson | 2.4 mi | 8.2 |
| Senita Valley Elementary School Vail | 2.4 mi | 9.0 |
| Vail Innovation Center Vail | 2.5 mi | 9.1 |
| Vail Blended Learning Tucson | 2.6 mi | 6.2 |
| Vail Academy & High School Vail | 2.5 mi | 8.5 |
| Civano Community K-8 School Tucson | 2.8 mi | 7.5 |
| Esmond Station School Tucson | 3.2 mi | 9.2 |
| Santa Rita High School Tucson | 4.6 mi | 5.3 |
| Secrist Middle School Tucson | 4.7 mi | 3.8 |
| Ford Elementary Tucson | 5.1 mi | 5.9 |
| Legacy Traditional School - East Tucson Chandler | 5.2 mi | 4.7 |
| Leman Academy of Excellence East Tucson Tucson | 5.3 mi | 6.5 |
| Arizona Online Charter School Tucson | 5.5 mi | 4.9 |
| La Paloma Academy (Lakeside) Tucson | 5.5 mi | 5.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 85747 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$107,290
Median Home Value
$345,900
Median Rent
$1,776/mo
Population
26,808
College Educated
45.6%
Homeownership
80.6%
Avg Commute
27.2 min
Poverty Rate
5.4%
Median Age
36.5
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| BASIS Chandler Primary- South Campus Chandler, AZ | 8.9 |
| Charlotte Patterson Elementary Gilbert, AZ | 8.9 |
| Chinle Elementary School Chinle, AZ | 8.9 |
| Copper Creek Elementary School Glendale, AZ | 8.9 |
| Dorothy Hall Elementary Yuma, AZ | 8.9 |
| J Robert Hendricks Elementary School Tucson, AZ | 8.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Mesquite Elementary School
What grades does Mesquite Elementary School serve?
Mesquite Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Mesquite Elementary School?
Mesquite Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 677 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Mesquite Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Mesquite Elementary School is 17.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Mesquite Elementary School rank in AZ?
Mesquite Elementary School ranks #117 of 2,006 schools in AZ.
What is Mesquite Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Mesquite Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.9 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 Mesquite Elementary School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Mesquite Elementary School has 83% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 79% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
Is Mesquite Elementary School a charter school?
No, Mesquite Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Mesquite Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Mesquite Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 677
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 17.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 39
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Pima County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 36.3%
- Phone
- (520) 879-2102
Resources & Links
District
Vail Unified District (4413)- District Enrollment
- 14,831
- Schools in District
- 23
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $10,071
- District Rank
- #5 of 23
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.