Excellent
#249 of 2,000 schools in AZ
Top 12% in state
Sanders Elementary School
Elementary School · Sanders Unified District (4156)
PO BOX 250, Sanders, AZ 86512
Enrollment
282
Score
8.0
Grades
Pre-K – 7th
Enrollment
282
Score
8.0
Grades
Pre-K – 7th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Sanders
#1 of 3
public schools
Arizona elementary schools
#196 of 1,216
In district
#1 of 3
Sanders Unified District (4156)
School environment
9.5 / 10
Exceptional
About Sanders Elementary School
Sanders Elementary School is a regular public school nestled in the remote rural area of Sanders, Arizona. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through seventh grade, it offers a small-town atmosphere with an enrollment of 282 students. While specific details about student-teacher ratios and teacher numbers aren't available, the close-knit community supports each child's growth and development.
The school’s academic performance currently places it in the 31st percentile among Arizona schools, with a MySchoolScout Rating of 4.5 out of 10 and an Academic Score of 3.2 out of 10. Test results show that only 19% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading and 12% are proficient or above in Math. These scores indicate areas where Sanders Elementary School is focusing on improving to better serve its students.
Despite the challenges, the school community works hard to provide a nurturing environment for all learners. The rural setting offers unique opportunities for outdoor education and community involvement.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Sanders 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
View breakdown
Sanders Elementary School — Students at Sanders Elementary School score 20% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 16%).
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 6 test records from AZ state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 8.7/10.
How Sanders Elementary School Compares
See how Sanders Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 17% (2019) to 17% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 22% (2019) to 22% (2022).
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. Pine Springs Day School (rated 8.1/10, 14.4 miles away, in nearby Houck), with a very similar rating. Another option is Wide Ruins Community School (rated 8.1/10, 18.4 miles away, in nearby Chambers), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Chi Chil'tah Community School (rated 8.1/10, 23.3 miles away, in nearby Vanderwagen), with a very similar rating. 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 | 5.3 |
| Sanders Middle School Sanders | 1.8 mi | 7.0 |
| Pine Springs Day School Houck | 14.4 mi | 8.1 |
| Wide Ruins Community School Chambers | 18.4 mi | 8.1 |
| Chi Chil'tah Community School Vanderwagen | 23.3 mi | 8.1 |
| Hunters Point Boarding School St. Michaels | 29.6 mi | 8.0 |
| 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 | 6.5 |
| TWIN BUTTES CYBER ACADEMY Zuni | 28.9 mi | 8.2 |
| 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 | 7.2 |
| Tsehootsooi Dine Bi'Olta Fort Defiance | 36.4 mi | 7.1 |
| TOBE TURPEN ELEMENTARY Gallup | 34.6 mi | 4.0 |
| CHIEF MANUELITO MIDDLE Gallup | 34.6 mi | 4.4 |
| GALLUP HIGH Gallup | 34.7 mi | 2.3 |
| 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Sanders Elementary School has a median household income of $31,602. It is a community where 5% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $74,800, with a median rent of $614/month. The area has a poverty rate of 41.4%, 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 |
|---|---|
| Echo Canyon K-8 Scottsdale, AZ | 8.0 |
| Eva Marshall Elementary School Flagstaff, AZ | 8.0 |
| Gale Elementary School Tucson, AZ | 8.0 |
| Liberty Elementary School Scottsdale, AZ | 8.0 |
| Lincoln Elementary School Prescott, AZ | 8.0 |
| Ralph Waldo Emerson Elementary School Phoenix, AZ | 8.0 |
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 is ranked #249 out of 2,000 schools in AZ.
What is Sanders Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Sanders Elementary School has a composite rating of 8.0 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 Sanders Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Sanders Elementary School has 12.2% math proficiency and 18.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 7th
- Enrollment
- 282
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Apache County
- Phone
- (855) 678-7873
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Sanders Unified District (4156)- District Enrollment
- 659
- Schools in District
- 4
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $21,901
- District Rank
- #1 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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