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Average

#805 of 2,000 schools in AZ

Top 40% in state

Rice Elementary School

Elementary School · San Carlos Unified District (4210)

PO BOX 207, San Carlos, AZ 85550

Enrollment

655

Student-Teacher

12.1:1

Score

6.7

Grades

Pre-K – 6th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In San Carlos

#2 of 3

public schools

Arizona elementary schools

#533 of 1,216

In district

#2 of 3

San Carlos Unified District (4210)

School environment

9.7 / 10

Exceptional

About Rice Elementary School

Rice Elementary School is a public elementary school nestled in the remote rural area of San Carlos, Arizona. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade, Rice Elementary boasts an enrollment of 655 students with a favorable student-teacher ratio of 12.1:1. The dedicated teaching staff consists of 54 full-time equivalent teachers who work tirelessly to support the academic and social development of their students.

Despite its small-town setting, Rice Elementary faces challenges reflected in its MySchoolScout rating of 3.6 out of 10 and a state ranking of #1713 out of 2029 schools in Arizona (16th percentile). The school's academic score is 1.0/10, with only 5% proficiency in both English Language Arts/Reading and Math across all grade levels. While these scores indicate room for improvement, the close-knit community offers a supportive environment where students are known individually and receive personalized attention.

Rice Elementary School is situated in an area that emphasizes student development beyond academics, fostering a strong sense of community among its diverse population.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at Rice Elementary School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

Located in a rural area, Rice Elementary School 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 Progress8.0Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.47 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics2.4Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency2%
Reading/ELA Proficiency3%
Overall Proficiency3%
Expected (poverty-adj.)19%
vs. Expected-16.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile7th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.7Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,750

Rice Elementary School — Students at Rice Elementary School score 2% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 19%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

0.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores AZ EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 4.7%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 5.0%
School
State
N/A

Based on 5 test records from AZ state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
7%
ELA
7%
2021*
Math
5%
2022
Math
2%
ELA
3%

* 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: 8.0/10.

How Rice Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
6.7/10
60th percentile in AZ
Academic
2.4/10
2.4/10
Growth
8.0/10
Above average
Environment
9.7/10
Above average

Location

PO BOX 207, San Carlos, AZ 85550

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Rice Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Destiny School (rated 8.1/10, 18.3 miles away, in nearby Globe), which scores notably higher. Another option is Dr. Charles A. Bejarano Elementary School (rated 6.0/10, 22.3 miles away, in nearby Miami), with a comparable rating. Additionally, ST CHARLES APACHE MISSION SCHOOL (rated 5.8/10, 0.1 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in San Carlos, see our San Carlos schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 31.1 mi
School Distance Rating
San Carlos Middle School San Carlos 0.1 mi 5.0
ST CHARLES APACHE MISSION SCHOOL San Carlos 0.1 mi 5.8
Biyaagozhoo Center Globe 1.6 mi
PERIDOT-OUR SAVIOR'S LUTHERAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Peridot 3.0 mi 4.3
San Carlos High School San Carlos 4.2 mi 7.1
San Carlos Alternative High School San Carlos 4.2 mi
High Desert Middle School Globe 16.8 mi 5.8
CVIT - Central Campus EAC Gila Pueblo Superior 18.2 mi
Destiny School Globe 18.3 mi 8.1
Copper Rim Elementary School Globe 18.7 mi 5.7
Liberty High School Globe 18.9 mi 6.3
Globe High School Globe 19.1 mi 7.0
Tiger Knowledge Online (TKO) Globe 19.7 mi
Miami Junior Senior High School Miami 22.3 mi 5.4
Lee Kornegay Intermediate School Miami 22.3 mi 4.4
Dr. Charles A. Bejarano Elementary School Miami 22.3 mi 6.0
Mt. Turnbull Academy Fort Thomas 25.6 mi
APACHE BAPTIST ACADEMY Bylas 25.7 mi
Mt. Turnbull Elementary School Bylas 26.6 mi 4.8
Hayden High School Winkelman 31.1 mi 7.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 85550 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$50,181

Median Home Value

$66,900

Median Rent

$392/mo

Population

5,619

College Educated

4.4%

Homeownership

61.6%

Poverty Rate

41.7%

Median Age

29.8

Community Profile

The community surrounding Rice Elementary School has a median household income of $50,181. It is a community where 4% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $66,900, with a median rent of $392/month. The area has a poverty rate of 41.7%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Alta E Butler School Phoenix, AZ 6.7
Chaparral Elementary School Gilbert, AZ 6.7
Cotton Boll School Peoria, AZ 6.7
Eliseo C. Felix School Goodyear, AZ 6.7
Encanto Learning Center Somerton, AZ 6.7
Franklin Accelerated Academy - Downtown Campus Mesa, AZ 6.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Rice Elementary School

What grades does Rice Elementary School serve?

Rice Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.

How many students attend Rice Elementary School?

Rice Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 655 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Rice Elementary School is 12.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Rice Elementary School rank in AZ?

Rice Elementary School is ranked #805 out of 2,000 schools in AZ.

What is Rice Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Rice Elementary School has a composite rating of 6.7 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 Rice Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Rice Elementary School has 4.7% math proficiency and 5.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Rice Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is Rice Elementary School a Title I school?

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

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

County Safety
Average (302/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
655
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
54
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Gila County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

San Carlos Unified District (4210)
District Enrollment
1,410
Schools in District
5
Per-Pupil Spending
$18,367
District Rank
#2 of 3

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

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