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Average

#1554 of 2,000 schools in AZ

Ruth Powell Elementary School

Elementary School · Safford Unified District (4218)

1041 S 14TH AVE, Safford, AZ 85546

Enrollment

523

Student-Teacher

22.7:1

Score

5.2

Grades

Pre-K – 6th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Safford

#6 of 7

public schools

Arizona elementary schools

#917 of 1,216

In district

#6 of 6

Safford Unified District (4218)

Academic performance

7.4 / 10

Strong

About Ruth Powell Elementary School

Ruth Powell Elementary School is a regular public elementary school located in the remote town of Safford, Arizona. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade, Ruth Powell has an enrollment of 523 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 22.7:1 with 23 full-time equivalent teachers. The school's MySchoolScout rating is 5.3 out of 10, placing it at the 47th percentile among Arizona schools, ranked number 1076 out of 2029.

In terms of academic performance, Ruth Powell Elementary has a score of 6.7/10 with 45% proficiency in both English Language Arts and Math across all grades. Ruth Powell Elementary School is situated in an area that lacks specific neighborhood data, but it serves as a cornerstone for the local community in Graham County. While the school shows room for academic growth, its supportive environment and dedicated educators work hard to foster development and success among their students.

The setting of Ruth Powell Elementary School reflects the close-knit nature of a remote town where everyone knows each other and supports one another's educational journey.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Ruth Powell Elementary School is 22.7:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.2Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-4.74 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics7.4Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency40%
Reading/ELA Proficiency39%
Overall Proficiency40%
Expected (poverty-adj.)39%
vs. Expected+0.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile61th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment4.3Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio22.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$9,046

Ruth Powell Elementary School — Students at Ruth Powell Elementary School score 40% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 39%).

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 45.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 45.3%
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
56%
ELA
51%
2021*
Math
39%
ELA
46%
2022
Math
40%
ELA
39%

* 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: 4.2/10.

How Ruth Powell Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
5.2/10
22th percentile in AZ
Academic
7.4/10
7.4/10
Growth
4.2/10
Below average
Environment
4.3/10
Below average

Location

1041 S 14TH AVE, Safford, AZ 85546

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Ruth Powell Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Dorothy Stinson School (rated 7.4/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Thatcher Elementary School (rated 7.3/10, 2.6 miles away, in nearby Thatcher), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Pima Elementary School (rated 7.3/10, 7.5 miles away, in nearby Pima), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Safford, see our Safford schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 7.5 mi
School Distance Rating
GIFT - Safford High School Thatcher 0.2 mi
Safford High School Safford 0.2 mi 5.3
Lafe Nelson School Safford 0.2 mi 6.8
Safford Middle School Safford 0.5 mi 6.1
Dorothy Stinson School Safford 1.0 mi 7.4
Triumphant Learning Center Safford 1.1 mi 4.9
Mt Graham High School Safford 1.9 mi 7.2
Thatcher High School Thatcher 2.1 mi 7.8
Thatcher Middle School Thatcher 2.5 mi 7.4
Eagle Online Academy Thatcher 2.5 mi 5.2
Thatcher Elementary School Thatcher 2.6 mi 7.3
Jack Daley Primary School Thatcher 2.6 mi 6.0
GIFT - Gila Institute for Technology Thatcher 2.6 mi
Solomon Elementary School Solomon 5.4 mi 5.2
Dan Hinton Accommodation School Pima 7.2 mi 7.9
Pima Junior High School Pima 7.3 mi 6.4
GIFT - Pima High School Thatcher 7.5 mi
Pima High School Pima 7.5 mi 5.5
Pima Elementary School Pima 7.5 mi 7.3
Gila Valley Learning Center Pima 7.5 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 85546 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$61,930

Median Home Value

$192,700

Median Rent

$930/mo

Population

20,735

College Educated

13.1%

Homeownership

75.7%

Avg Commute

23.7 min

Poverty Rate

15.1%

Median Age

35.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Ruth Powell Elementary School has a median household income of $61,930. It is a community where 13% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $192,700, with a median rent of $930/month. The area has a poverty rate of 15.1%. The average commute for residents is 24 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
EAGLE College Prep Phoenix, AZ 5.2
Eisenhower Center for Innovation Mesa, AZ 5.2
Manuel Pena Jr. School Phoenix, AZ 5.2
McCartney Ranch Elementary School Casa Grande, AZ 5.2
Mountain View Elementary School Prescott Valley, AZ 5.2
Starlight Park College Preparatory and Community School Phoenix, AZ 5.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Ruth Powell Elementary School

What grades does Ruth Powell Elementary School serve?

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

How many students attend Ruth Powell Elementary School?

Ruth Powell Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 523 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Ruth Powell Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Ruth Powell Elementary School is 22.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Ruth Powell Elementary School rank in AZ?

Ruth Powell Elementary School is ranked #1554 out of 2,000 schools in AZ.

What is Ruth Powell Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Ruth Powell Elementary School has a composite rating of 5.2 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 Ruth Powell Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Ruth Powell Elementary School has 45.0% math proficiency and 45.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Ruth Powell Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is Ruth Powell Elementary School a Title I school?

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

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

County Safety
Low (134/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
523
Student-Teacher Ratio
22.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
23
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Town
County
Graham County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Safford Unified District (4218)
District Enrollment
2,895
Schools in District
6
Per-Pupil Spending
$10,262
District Rank
#6 of 6

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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