Skip to main content

Very Good

#275 of 2,000 schools in AZ

Top 14% in state

Picture Rocks Elementary

Elementary School · Marana Unified District (4404)

5875 N SANDERS RD, Tucson, AZ 85743

Enrollment

491

Student-Teacher

12.3:1

Score

7.9

Grades

Pre-K – 6th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Tucson

#35 of 246

public schools

Arizona elementary schools

#215 of 1,216

In district

#5 of 19

Marana Unified District (4404)

Academic growth

9.3 / 10

Exceptional

About Picture Rocks Elementary

Picture Rocks Elementary, a regular public school in Tucson, Arizona, serves students from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade. With an enrollment of 491 students, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 12.3:1, providing a supportive learning environment with 40 full-time equivalent teachers. Located in a rural setting, Picture Rocks Elementary offers a unique blend of community engagement and educational opportunities.

The school's MySchoolScout rating of 5.7 out of 10 places it in the 54th percentile among Arizona schools, with a specific academic score of 4.7 out of 10. Test performance shows that 23% of students are proficient in ELA/reading and 30% in math, indicating areas for improvement and a focus on student development. The surrounding neighborhood, characterized by a median household income of $86,584 and a median home value of $293,100, is home to a relatively low poverty rate of 9.6%.

About 39% of residents have a bachelor's degree or higher, suggesting a community that values education and supports student success. Picture Rocks Elementary is nestled in a rural area that offers a close-knit community atmosphere, making it a special place for students to learn and grow.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Picture Rocks 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 Progress9.3Exceptional50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+0.57 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics4.9Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency30%
Reading/ELA Proficiency23%
Overall Proficiency27%
Expected (poverty-adj.)45%
vs. Expected-18.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile30th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.0Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$9,931

Picture Rocks Elementary — Students at Picture Rocks Elementary score 26% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

0.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores AZ EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 23.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 23.7%
School
State
N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
24%
ELA
24%
2021*
Math
15%
ELA
24%
2022
Math
30%
ELA
23%

* 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: 9.3/10.

How Picture Rocks Elementary Compares

See how Picture Rocks Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.9/10
86th percentile in AZ
Academic
4.9/10
4.9/10
Growth
9.3/10
Above average
Environment
9.0/10
Above average

Location

5875 N SANDERS RD, Tucson, AZ 85743

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Picture Rocks Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Rattlesnake Ridge Elementary (rated 8.5/10, 7.4 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Coyote Trail Elementary School (rated 7.9/10, 8.1 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Leman Academy of Excellence (rated 7.7/10, 8.5 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Tucson, see our Tucson schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 10.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Marana High School Marana 3.9 mi 7.4
REDEEMER LUTHERAN SCHOOL Tucson 7.2 mi 4.6
Twin Peaks Elementary School Tucson 7.4 mi 5.3
Rattlesnake Ridge Elementary Tucson 7.4 mi 8.5
Gladden Farms Elementary Marana 8.5 mi 5.6
Roadrunner Elementary School Marana 8.7 mi 7.2
Coyote Trail Elementary School Tucson 8.1 mi 7.9
Marana Middle School Marana 9.9 mi 6.5
Leman Academy of Excellence Tucson 8.5 mi 7.7
Leman Virtual Academy Tucson 8.5 mi 7.0
La Paloma Academy Marana Tucson 9.9 mi 4.6
Marana Distance Learning Marana 10.0 mi 6.1
MCAT High School Marana 10.0 mi 6.8
Marjorie W Estes Elementary School Marana 10.0 mi 6.8
Laura N. Banks Elementary Tucson 10.3 mi 4.0
Degrazia Elementary School Tucson 10.4 mi 6.9
Quail Run Elementary School Tucson 10.6 mi 5.9
MUSD Early Learning and Resource Center Tucson 10.7 mi 5.8
Flowing Wells Digital Campus Tucson 10.8 mi 5.7
Sentinel Peak High School Tucson 10.9 mi 6.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 85743 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$89,484

Median Home Value

$329,200

Median Rent

$1,661/mo

Population

30,627

College Educated

38.6%

Homeownership

86%

Avg Commute

28.4 min

Poverty Rate

10.3%

Median Age

47.4

Community Profile

The community surrounding Picture Rocks Elementary has a median household income of $89,484. It is an area where 39% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $329,200, with a median rent of $1,661/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.3%. The average commute for residents is 28 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
Black Mountain Elementary School Cave Creek, AZ 7.9
Bush Elementary Mesa, AZ 7.9
Chaparral Elementary School Phoenix, AZ 7.9
Copper Canyon Elementary School Scottsdale, AZ 7.9
Coyote Trail Elementary School Tucson, AZ 7.9
J Robert Hendricks Elementary School Tucson, AZ 7.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Picture Rocks Elementary

What grades does Picture Rocks Elementary serve?

Picture Rocks Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.

How many students attend Picture Rocks Elementary?

Picture Rocks Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 491 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Picture Rocks Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Picture Rocks Elementary is 12.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Picture Rocks Elementary rank in AZ?

Picture Rocks Elementary is ranked #275 out of 2,000 schools in AZ.

What is Picture Rocks Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Picture Rocks Elementary has a composite rating of 7.9 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 Picture Rocks Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Picture Rocks Elementary has 23.0% math proficiency and 23.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Picture Rocks Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Picture Rocks Elementary a Title I school?

No, Picture Rocks Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
6 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
27 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (3,922/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Tucson). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
491
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
40
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Pima County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Marana Unified District (4404)
District Enrollment
12,872
Schools in District
20
Per-Pupil Spending
$10,680
District Rank
#5 of 19

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

Related 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.