Very Good
#359 of 2,000 schools in AZ
Top 18% in state
Sam Hughes Elementary
Elementary School · Tucson Unified District (4403)
700 N WILSON AVE, Tucson, AZ 85719
Enrollment
363
Student-Teacher
17.3:1
Score
7.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
363
Student-Teacher
17.3:1
Score
7.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Tucson
#41 of 246
public schools
Arizona elementary schools
#269 of 1,216
In district
#14 of 86
Tucson Unified District (4403)
Academic performance
9.5 / 10
Exceptional
About Sam Hughes Elementary
Sam Hughes Elementary serves 363 students from prekindergarten through fifth grade in Tucson, Arizona, earning recognition as one of the state's top-performing elementary schools. With a MySchoolScout rating of 8.0 out of 10 and ranking #121 out of 2029 Arizona schools, the school places in the 94th percentile statewide for academic achievement. The school demonstrates strong academic performance with 72% of students achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and Reading, while 57% reach proficiency in mathematics.
With 21 full-time equivalent teachers serving the student body, Sam Hughes maintains a manageable student-teacher ratio of 17.3:1, allowing for more individualized attention in the classroom. Sam Hughes Elementary operates within Tucson's 85719 ZIP code, an area where nearly half of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, reflecting a community that values education. The neighborhood presents economic diversity, with a median household income of $39,144 and a poverty rate of 32.1%, yet the school's exceptional academic results demonstrate its effectiveness in serving students from varied socioeconomic backgrounds.
Located on North Wilson Avenue in Arizona's second-largest city, Sam Hughes Elementary stands as a beacon of educational excellence within Tucson's vibrant urban landscape.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Sam Hughes Elementary — Students at Sam Hughes Elementary score 64% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 32%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
0.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores AZ EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 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: 6.7/10.
How Sam Hughes Elementary Compares
See how Sam Hughes Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 67% (2019) to 57% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 77% (2019) to 72% (2022).
Location
700 N WILSON AVE, Tucson, AZ 85719
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Sam Hughes Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF TUCSON (rated 8.5/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Robison Elementary School (rated 8.3/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Highland Free School (rated 6.2/10, 1.4 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Tucson, see our Tucson schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| SECOND STREET CHILDRENS SCHOOL Tucson | 0.2 mi | — |
| Edge High School - Himmel Park Tucson | 0.3 mi | 5.6 |
| Teenage Parent Program - TAPP Tucson | 0.6 mi | — |
| ST AMBROSE SCHOOL Tucson | 0.9 mi | 4.7 |
| AmeriSchools Academy - Country Club Tucson | 0.8 mi | 5.2 |
| AmeriSchools Academy Online Instruction Tucson | 0.8 mi | — |
| Mansfeld Middle Magnet School Tucson | 0.9 mi | 5.7 |
| Blenman Elementary School Tucson | 1.0 mi | 4.7 |
| Ha:san Preparatory & Leadership School Tucson | 1.0 mi | 6.5 |
| Miles-Exploratory Learning Center Tucson | 1.0 mi | 4.4 |
| INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF TUCSON Tucson | 1.2 mi | 8.5 |
| Robison Elementary School Tucson | 1.3 mi | 8.3 |
| Desert Sage High School Tucson | 1.3 mi | — |
| Southern Arizona Community Academy Tucson | 1.4 mi | 4.7 |
| SACA Online Tucson | 1.4 mi | — |
| Highland Free School Tucson | 1.4 mi | 6.2 |
| Doolen Middle School Tucson | 1.6 mi | 6.7 |
| Project More High School Tucson | 1.5 mi | 6.2 |
| PCJTED - Tucson High School Tucson | 1.4 mi | — |
| Tucson Magnet High School Tucson | 1.4 mi | 6.2 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 85719 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$41,086
Median Home Value
$266,900
Median Rent
$1,051/mo
Population
49,609
College Educated
46%
Homeownership
29.7%
Avg Commute
18.4 min
Poverty Rate
31.6%
Median Age
23.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding Sam Hughes Elementary has a median household income of $41,086. It is a well-educated community where 46% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $266,900, with a median rent of $1,051/month. The area has a poverty rate of 31.6%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 18 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 |
|---|---|
| Anthem School Anthem, AZ | 7.7 |
| Center for Educational Excellence Tempe, AZ | 7.7 |
| Da Vinci Tree Academy Tucson, AZ | 7.7 |
| Desert Sonora Elementary School Somerton, AZ | 7.7 |
| Desert Valley Elementary School Glendale, AZ | 7.7 |
| George Washington Carver Elementary School Yuma, AZ | 7.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Sam Hughes Elementary
What grades does Sam Hughes Elementary serve?
Sam Hughes Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Sam Hughes Elementary?
Sam Hughes Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 363 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Sam Hughes Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Sam Hughes Elementary is 17.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Sam Hughes Elementary rank in AZ?
Sam Hughes Elementary is ranked #359 out of 2,000 schools in AZ.
What is Sam Hughes Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Sam Hughes Elementary has a composite rating of 7.7 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 Sam Hughes Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Sam Hughes Elementary has 58.7% math proficiency and 73.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Sam Hughes Elementary a charter school?
No, Sam Hughes Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Sam Hughes Elementary a Title I school?
No, Sam Hughes Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- Walk Score
- 78 Very Walkable
- Transit Score
- 54 Good Transit
- Bike Score
- 99 Biker’s Paradise
- City Safety
- High (3,922/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Tucson). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 363
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 17.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 21
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Pima County
- Phone
- (520) 232-7400
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Tucson Unified District (4403)- District Enrollment
- 40,929
- Schools in District
- 90
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,783
- District Rank
- #14 of 86
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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