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
Enrollment
655
Student-Teacher
12.1:1
Score
6.7
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
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Rice Elementary School — Students at Rice Elementary School score 2% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 19%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
0.3%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores AZ EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 5 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: 8.0/10.
How Rice Elementary School Compares
See how Rice Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 7% (2019) to 2% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 7% (2019) to 3% (2022).
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.
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
- Phone
- (928) 475-4837
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
San Carlos Unified District (4210)- District Enrollment
- 1,410
- Schools in District
- 5
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,367
- District Rank
- #2 of 3
Other Schools in This District
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 methodologyRelated reading
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