Skip to main content

Below Average

#1861 of 2,000 schools in AZ

Rivera Elementary

Elementary School · Sunnyside Unified District (4407)

5102 S CHERRY AVE, Tucson, AZ 85706

Enrollment

419

Student-Teacher

18.2:1

Score

4.2

Grades

Kindergarten – 6th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Tucson

#228 of 246

public schools

Arizona elementary schools

#1,107 of 1,216

In district

#19 of 21

Sunnyside Unified District (4407)

About Rivera Elementary

Rivera Elementary is an elementary school located in the heart of Tucson, Arizona. With a student body of 419 students and a dedicated teaching staff of 23 full-time equivalent teachers, Rivera Elementary offers a personalized learning environment with a student-teacher ratio of 18.2:1. The school covers kindergarten through sixth grade, providing a comprehensive education from early childhood through middle elementary years.

Rivera Elementary's academic performance shows there is room for growth. Currently ranked at the 5th percentile in Arizona, the school has an average proficiency rate of 19% in ELA and reading, and 20% in math across all grades. These figures highlight areas where the school can focus on improving student outcomes.

Despite the challenges reflected in its current rankings, Rivera Elementary is committed to supporting the development of each child. The school's urban setting provides a diverse community atmosphere, allowing students to engage with a wide range of cultural and social experiences. Rivera Elementary stands as an integral part of Tucson’s educational landscape, serving its neighborhood with dedication and care.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.1Fair50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-5.85 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics4.5Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency14%
Reading/ELA Proficiency18%
Overall Proficiency16%
Expected (poverty-adj.)24%
vs. Expected-8.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile26th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment6.6Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$9,713

Rivera Elementary — Students at Rivera Elementary score 16% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 24%).

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 19.7%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 18.7%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 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
38%
ELA
26%
2021*
Math
7%
ELA
12%
2022
Math
14%
ELA
18%

* 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: 3.1/10.

How Rivera Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
4.2/10
7th percentile in AZ
Academic
4.5/10
4.5/10
Growth
3.1/10
Below average
Environment
6.6/10
Above average

Location

5102 S CHERRY AVE, Tucson, AZ 85706

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Rivera Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Van Buskirk Elementary School (rated 8.3/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Ocotillo Early Learning Elementary School (rated 6.8/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Hollinger K-8 School (rated 5.9/10, 1.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Tucson, see our Tucson schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Alta Vista High School Tucson 0.3 mi 4.2
PPEP TEC - Celestino Fernandez Learning Center Tucson 0.7 mi 6.0
Ocotillo Early Learning Elementary School Tucson 0.8 mi 6.8
Sierra 2-8 School Tucson 0.8 mi 4.7
Esperanza Elementary School Tucson 0.8 mi 4.3
Drexel Elementary School Tucson 0.9 mi 4.6
Los Amigos Elementary School Tucson 0.9 mi 4.4
PCJTED - Sunnyside High School Tucson 1.1 mi
Sunnyside High School Tucson 1.1 mi 4.9
Van Buskirk Elementary School Tucson 1.1 mi 8.3
Pima Vocational High School Tucson 1.3 mi 8.0
Apollo Middle School Tucson 1.4 mi 5.8
Pima County JTED - Star Tucson 1.4 mi
STAR Academic High School Tucson 1.4 mi 5.9
Toltecali High School Tucson 1.4 mi 5.0
Liberty Elementary School Tucson 1.5 mi 4.2
Hollinger K-8 School Tucson 1.9 mi 5.9
Pima County JTED - Bridges Day Program Tucson 2.0 mi
Pima County JTED - Bridges Evening Program Tucson 2.0 mi
Innovation Tech High School Tucson 2.0 mi 6.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 85706 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$49,072

Median Home Value

$169,600

Median Rent

$981/mo

Population

56,022

College Educated

9.6%

Homeownership

57.9%

Avg Commute

22.3 min

Poverty Rate

23.1%

Median Age

29.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding Rivera Elementary has a median household income of $49,072. It is a community where 10% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $169,600, with a median rent of $981/month. The area has a poverty rate of 23.1%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 22 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
Liberty Elementary School Tucson, AZ 4.2
O'Connor Elementary School Mesa, AZ 4.2
ST VINCENT DE PAUL CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Phoenix, AZ 4.2
Sun Canyon School Phoenix, AZ 4.2
Whittier Elementary School Mesa, AZ 4.2
Cradleboard School Whiteriver, AZ 4.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Rivera Elementary

What grades does Rivera Elementary serve?

Rivera Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.

How many students attend Rivera Elementary?

Rivera Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 419 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Rivera Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Rivera Elementary is 18.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Rivera Elementary rank in AZ?

Rivera Elementary is ranked #1861 out of 2,000 schools in AZ.

What is Rivera Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Rivera Elementary has a composite rating of 4.2 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 Rivera Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Rivera Elementary has 19.7% math proficiency and 18.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Rivera Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Rivera Elementary a Title I school?

No, Rivera Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
High (3,922/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
419
Student-Teacher Ratio
18.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
23
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Pima County
Data Year
2023–2024

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.