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Excellent

#14 of 2,006 schools in AZ

Top 1% in state

Payson Elementary School

Elementary School · Payson Unified District (4209)

PO BOX 919, Payson, AZ 85547

Enrollment

411

Student-Teacher

15.2:1

Score

9.5

Grades

Kindergarten – 2nd

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Arizona schools

#14 of 2,006

In Payson

#1 of 4

public schools

In district

#1 of 4

Payson Unified District (4209)

Academic growth

9.9 / 10

Excellent

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Payson Elementary School

9.5/10

Elementary School in Payson · grades Kindergarten – 2nd. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Rim Country Middle School

6.0/10

1.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Payson Community Christian School

4.6/10

2.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Payson Elementary School

Payson Elementary School is a public elementary school in Payson, AZ, part of Payson Unified District (4209). Payson Elementary School serves approximately 411 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-2nd, and has a 15.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Payson Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 9.5 out of 10 and ranks #14 of 2,006 schools in AZ.

Structured state assessment records for Payson Elementary School show 70% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2010) and 82% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2010).

How it compares1.8 pts above district
  • This school 9.5 · Excellent
  • District avg 7.8
  • AZ avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

44% of students at Payson 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 metrics
Student Progress9.9Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change+2.5 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2010
TrendImproving
Academics9.9Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency72% (2010 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency82% (2010 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency77% (2010 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)29% (model expectation from 2010 EdFacts)
vs. Expected+47.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile98th
Resources & Environment7.9Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,456
Chronic Absenteeism44.3%

Payson Elementary School — Students at Payson Elementary School score 77% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 29%).

How we calculate scores →

Test Scores AZ EDFACTS (2009-10)

Math Proficiency 69.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2010)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 82.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2010)
School
State
N/A

Based on 4 test records from AZ state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2009
Math
67%
ELA
82%
2010
Math
72%
ELA
82%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.9/10.

How Payson Elementary School Compares

See how Payson Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
9.5/10
99th percentile in AZ
Academic
9.9/10
Excellent
Growth
9.9/10
Excellent
Environment
7.9/10
Very Good

Funding & Resources

Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
27 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
44.3%

Location

PO BOX 919, Payson, AZ 85547

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Payson Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Pine Strawberry Elementary School (rated 8.9/10, 11.9 miles away, in nearby Pine), with a comparable rating. Another option is Tonto Basin Elementary (rated 8.7/10, 27.0 miles away, in nearby Tonto Basin), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Beaver Creek School (rated 6.1/10, 37.5 miles away, in nearby Rimrock), a more accessible option. For more schools in Payson, see our Payson schools guide .

Nearby Schools

11 within 37.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Rim Country Middle School Payson 1.8 mi 6.0
PAYSON COMMUNITY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Payson 2.0 mi 4.6
Payson High School Payson 2.0 mi 7.1
Julia Randall Elementary School Payson 2.5 mi 6.0
Pine Strawberry Elementary School Pine 11.9 mi 8.9
Young Elementary School Young 22.9 mi 5.2
Young High School Young 22.9 mi
Tonto Basin Elementary Tonto Basin 27.0 mi 8.7
SOUTHWESTERN ACADEMY Rimrock 36.0 mi 9.1
Beaver Creek School Rimrock 37.5 mi 6.1
SEDONA SKY ACADEMY Rimrock 37.3 mi

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Sky Crossing Elementary School Phoenix, AZ 9.5
Desert Canyon Elementary Scottsdale, AZ 9.4
Fruchthendler Elementary School Tucson, AZ 9.6
General Myer Elementary School Fort Huachuca, AZ 9.6
Great Hearts Academies - Archway Arete Phoenix, AZ 9.4
Great Hearts Academies - Archway Glendale Phoenix, AZ 9.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Payson Elementary School

What grades does Payson Elementary School serve?

Payson Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 2nd.

How many students attend Payson Elementary School?

Payson Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 411 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Payson Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Payson Elementary School is 15.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Payson Elementary School rank in AZ?

Payson Elementary School ranks #14 of 2,006 schools in AZ.

What is Payson Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Payson Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 9.5 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 Payson Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Payson Elementary School has 70% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2010) and 82% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2010).

Is Payson Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is Payson Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Payson Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
19 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
28 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 2nd
Enrollment
411
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
27
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Town
County
Gila County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
44.3%

District

Payson Unified District (4209)
District Enrollment
2,283
Schools in District
5
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,456
District Rank
#1 of 4

How we rate schools

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