Needs Improvement
#1858 of 2,006 schools in AZ
Picture Rocks Elementary
Elementary School · Marana Unified District (4404)
5875 N SANDERS RD, Tucson, AZ 85743
Enrollment
491
Student-Teacher
12.3:1
Score
3.8
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
491
Student-Teacher
12.3:1
Score
3.8
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Arizona schools
#1,858 of 2,006
In Tucson
#234 of 257
public schools
In district
#19 of 19
Marana Unified District (4404)
School environment
8.2 / 10
Excellent
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Picture Rocks Elementary
Elementary School in Tucson · grades Pre-K – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Marana High School
3.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Redeemer Lutheran School
7.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Picture Rocks Elementary
Picture Rocks Elementary is a public elementary school in Tucson, AZ, part of Marana Unified District (4404). Picture Rocks Elementary serves approximately 491 students, and covers grades Pre-K-6th, and has a 12.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Picture Rocks Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.8 out of 10 and ranks #1,858 of 2,006 schools in AZ.
Structured state assessment records for Picture Rocks Elementary show 41% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 46% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 3.8 · Needs Improvement
- District avg 6.3
- AZ avg 6.4
What Parents Should Know
Picture Rocks Elementary sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.
54% of students at Picture Rocks Elementary 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
Picture Rocks Elementary — Students at Picture Rocks Elementary score 26% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
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: 1.4/10.
How Picture Rocks Elementary Compares
See how Picture Rocks Elementary 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
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. Leman Academy of Excellence (rated 8.4/10, 8.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Rattlesnake Ridge Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 7.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Gladden Farms Elementary (rated 7.9/10, 8.5 miles away, in nearby Marana), which scores notably higher. 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 | 6.4 |
| REDEEMER LUTHERAN SCHOOL Tucson | 7.2 mi | 4.6 |
| Twin Peaks Elementary School Tucson | 7.4 mi | 6.5 |
| Rattlesnake Ridge Elementary Tucson | 7.4 mi | 8.3 |
| Gladden Farms Elementary Marana | 8.5 mi | 7.9 |
| Roadrunner Elementary School Marana | 8.7 mi | 4.1 |
| Coyote Trail Elementary School Tucson | 8.1 mi | 7.3 |
| Marana Middle School Marana | 9.9 mi | 4.2 |
| Leman Academy of Excellence Tucson | 8.5 mi | 8.4 |
| Leman Virtual Academy Tucson | 8.5 mi | 7.6 |
| La Paloma Academy Marana Tucson | 9.9 mi | 6.8 |
| Marana Distance Learning Marana | 10.0 mi | 4.7 |
| MCAT High School Marana | 10.0 mi | 6.3 |
| Marjorie W Estes Elementary School Marana | 10.0 mi | 4.1 |
| Laura N. Banks Elementary Tucson | 10.3 mi | 6.2 |
| Degrazia Elementary School Tucson | 10.4 mi | 6.1 |
| Quail Run Elementary School Tucson | 10.6 mi | 5.4 |
| MUSD Early Learning and Resource Center Tucson | 10.7 mi | 4.1 |
| Flowing Wells Digital Campus Tucson | 10.8 mi | 5.5 |
| Sentinel Peak High School Tucson | 10.9 mi | 5.4 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| American Leadership Academy Signal Butte K-6 Queen Creek, AZ | 3.8 |
| Brunson-Lee Elementary School Phoenix, AZ | 3.8 |
| Gateway School Phoenix, AZ | 3.8 |
| Jack L Kuban Elementary School Phoenix, AZ | 3.8 |
| McCartney Ranch Elementary School Casa Grande, AZ | 3.8 |
| Morgan Maxwell School Tucson, AZ | 3.8 |
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 ranks #1,858 of 2,006 schools in AZ.
What is Picture Rocks Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Picture Rocks Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.8 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 Picture Rocks Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Picture Rocks Elementary has 41% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 46% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
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.
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Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 53.6%
- Phone
- (520) 616-3700
Resources & Links
District
Marana Unified District (4404)- District Enrollment
- 12,872
- Schools in District
- 20
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $10,680
- District Rank
- #19 of 19
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