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Very Good

#709 of 2,006 schools in AZ

Top 35% in state

Sanders Elementary School

Elementary School · Sanders Unified District (4156)

PO BOX 250, Sanders, AZ 86512

Enrollment

282

Score

7.1

Grades

Pre-K – 7th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Arizona schools

#709 of 2,006

In Sanders

#1 of 3

public schools

In district

#1 of 3

Sanders Unified District (4156)

Academic growth

8.4 / 10

Excellent

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Sanders Elementary School

7.1/10

Elementary School in Sanders · grades Pre-K – 7th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Valley High School

6.6/10

0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Sanders Middle School

4.7/10

1.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Sanders Elementary School

Sanders Elementary School is a public elementary school in Sanders, AZ, part of Sanders Unified District (4156). Sanders Elementary School serves approximately 282 students, and covers grades Pre-K-7th. Sanders Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.1 out of 10 and ranks #709 of 2,006 schools in AZ.

Structured state assessment records for Sanders Elementary School show 19% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 25% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares0.7 pts above AZ schools
  • This school 7.1 · Very Good
  • AZ avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

Sanders Elementary School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

70% of students at Sanders Elementary School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.4Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-2.23 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics5.7Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency17% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency22% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency20% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)17% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected+2.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile39th
Resources & Environment6.0Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Per-Pupil Spending$21,901
Chronic Absenteeism69.5%

Sanders Elementary School — Students at Sanders Elementary School score 20% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 17%).

How we calculate scores →

Test Scores AZ EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 19.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 25.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 28 test records from AZ state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
29%
ELA
38%
2010
Math
27%
ELA
42%
2011
Math
42%
ELA
47%
2012
Math
37%
ELA
47%
2013
Math
27%
ELA
47%
2014
Math
17%
ELA
7.5%
2015
Math
12%
ELA
7.5%
2016
Math
12%
ELA
17%
2017
Math
12%
ELA
12%
2018
Math
17%
ELA
22%
2019
Math
17%
ELA
22%
2020*
Math
2.5%
ELA
12%
2021*
Math
2.5%
ELA
12%
2022
Math
17%
ELA
22%

* 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: 8.4/10.

How Sanders Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
7.1/10
65th percentile in AZ
Academic
5.7/10
Average
Growth
8.4/10
Excellent
Environment
6.0/10
Average

Location

PO BOX 250, Sanders, AZ 86512

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Sanders Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Wide Ruins Community School (rated 8.2/10, 18.4 miles away, in nearby Chambers), which scores notably higher. Another option is Pine Springs Day School (rated 7.8/10, 14.4 miles away, in nearby Houck), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Tsehootsooi Dine Bi'Olta (rated 7.5/10, 36.4 miles away, in nearby Fort Defiance), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Sanders, see our Sanders schools guide .

Nearby Schools

18 within 37.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Valley High School Sanders 0.0 mi 6.6
Sanders Middle School Sanders 1.8 mi 4.7
Pine Springs Day School Houck 14.4 mi 7.8
Wide Ruins Community School Chambers 18.4 mi 8.2
Chi Chil'tah Community School Vanderwagen 23.3 mi 5.3
Hunters Point Boarding School St. Michaels 29.6 mi 7.0
ST ANTHONY INDIAN SCHOOL Zuni 27.5 mi 5.8
ZUNI CHRISTIAN MISSION SCHOOL Zuni 27.7 mi 5.3
ZUNI MIDDLE Zuni 28.1 mi 6.1
TWIN BUTTES CYBER ACADEMY Zuni 28.9 mi 8.0
GALLUP CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Gallup 31.9 mi
ST MICHAELS ASSOC FOR SP ED Saint Michaels 35.6 mi
HILLTOP CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Tse Bonito 35.2 mi 7.0
Tsehootsooi Dine Bi'Olta Fort Defiance 36.4 mi 7.5
TOBE TURPEN ELEMENTARY Gallup 34.6 mi 6.9
CHIEF MANUELITO MIDDLE Gallup 34.6 mi 6.2
GALLUP HIGH Gallup 34.7 mi 4.5
WILDCAT CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Gallup 37.6 mi 7.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 86512 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$31,602

Median Home Value

$74,800

Median Rent

$614/mo

Population

2,391

College Educated

5%

Homeownership

67.2%

Poverty Rate

41.4%

Median Age

32.8

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Frances Owen Holaway Elementary School Tucson, AZ 7.1
Kayenta Community School Kayenta, AZ 7.1
Learning Foundation and Performing Arts Warner Gilbert, AZ 7.1
Mesa View Elementary Chinle, AZ 7.1
Canyon De Chelly Elementary School Chinle, AZ 7.0
Drachman Primary Magnet School Tucson, AZ 7.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Sanders Elementary School

What grades does Sanders Elementary School serve?

Sanders Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 7th.

How many students attend Sanders Elementary School?

Sanders Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 282 students.

How does Sanders Elementary School rank in AZ?

Sanders Elementary School ranks #709 of 2,006 schools in AZ.

What is Sanders Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Sanders Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.1 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Sanders Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Sanders Elementary School has 19% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 25% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Sanders Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is Sanders Elementary School a Title I school?

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

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
4 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
24 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 7th
Enrollment
282
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Apache County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
69.5%

District

Sanders Unified District (4156)
District Enrollment
659
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$21,901
District Rank
#1 of 3

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