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Average

#1329 of 2,000 schools in AZ

Sentinel Elementary School

Elementary School · Sentinel Elementary District (4250)

53802 W US HWY 80 # FRNT FRNT, Dateland, AZ 85333

Enrollment

34

Student-Teacher

8.5:1

Score

5.7

Grades

Kindergarten – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Dateland

#2 of 2

public schools

Arizona elementary schools

#798 of 1,216

School environment

10.0 / 10

Exceptional

About Sentinel Elementary School

Sentinel Elementary School serves 34 students in grades kindergarten through eighth in the small community of Dateland, Arizona. This intimate public school maintains an exceptional student-teacher ratio of 8.5:1 with four full-time equivalent teachers, allowing for highly personalized attention and instruction. The school demonstrates solid academic performance with a MySchoolScout rating of 7.1 out of 10, ranking in the 78th percentile among Arizona schools at #445 out of 2029 statewide.

Students show particular strength in mathematics, with 50% achieving proficient or above levels, while reading and language arts present opportunities for continued growth with 30% of students meeting proficiency standards. Sentinel Elementary's small size creates a close-knit learning environment where every student is known individually by staff and peers. The multi-grade structure typical of smaller rural schools offers unique opportunities for peer mentoring and collaborative learning across age groups.

The school serves the rural Dateland community, where the median household income is $54,141 and median home values are $181,300. Located in remote rural Arizona along US Highway 80, Sentinel Elementary anchors this tight-knit community of approximately 550 residents, providing essential educational services in an area where the nearest schools may be many miles away.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 34 students, Sentinel Elementary School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

With a student-teacher ratio of 8.5:1, Sentinel Elementary School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

Located in a rural area, Sentinel 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 metrics
Student Progress3.0Fair50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-6.01 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics7.4Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency49.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency30%
Overall Proficiency40%
Expected (poverty-adj.)39%
vs. Expected+0.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile62th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment10.0Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio8.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$40,306

Sentinel Elementary School — Students at Sentinel 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 62.8%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 43.0%
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
69.5%
ELA
49.5%
2021*
Math
69.5%
ELA
49.5%
2022
Math
49.5%
ELA
30%

* 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: 3.0/10.

How Sentinel Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
5.7/10
34th percentile in AZ
Academic
7.4/10
7.4/10
Growth
3.0/10
Below average
Environment
10.0/10
Above average

Location

53802 W US HWY 80 # FRNT FRNT, Dateland, AZ 85333

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Sentinel Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Dateland Elementary School (rated 9.3/10, 19.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Kiser Elementary School (rated 6.9/10, 19.1 miles away, in nearby Gila Bend), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Gila Bend Elementary (rated 4.7/10, 29.3 miles away, in nearby Gila Bend), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Dateland, see our Dateland schools guide .

Nearby Schools

7 within 39.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Kiser Elementary School Gila Bend 19.1 mi 6.9
Dateland Elementary School Dateland 19.5 mi 9.3
West-MEC Gila Bend Gila Bend 29.3 mi
Gila Bend Elementary Gila Bend 29.3 mi 4.7
Gila Bend High School Gila Bend 29.3 mi 6.7
Ajo Elementary School Ajo 39.3 mi 4.6
Ajo High School Ajo 39.3 mi 6.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 85333 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$43,269

Population

403

College Educated

17.7%

Homeownership

64.7%

Poverty Rate

25.8%

Median Age

60.6

Community Profile

The community surrounding Sentinel Elementary School has a median household income of $43,269. It is a community where 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The area has a poverty rate of 25.8%, 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
Creighton Virtual Academy Phoenix, AZ 5.7
BLACK MOUNTAIN SCIENCE ACADEMY Peoria, AZ 5.8
ST DOMINIC SAVIO ACADEMY Chandler, AZ 5.8
Bowie Elementary School Bowie, AZ 5.9
CHRIST CHURCH SCHOOL Paradise Valley, AZ 5.5
Desert Sky Community School Tucson, AZ 6.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Sentinel Elementary School

What grades does Sentinel Elementary School serve?

Sentinel Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.

How many students attend Sentinel Elementary School?

Sentinel Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 34 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Sentinel Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Sentinel Elementary School is 8.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Sentinel Elementary School rank in AZ?

Sentinel Elementary School is ranked #1329 out of 2,000 schools in AZ.

What is Sentinel Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Sentinel Elementary School has a composite rating of 5.7 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 Sentinel Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Sentinel Elementary School has 62.8% math proficiency and 43.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Sentinel Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is Sentinel Elementary School a Title I school?

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

8 schools nearby View map →

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
34
Student-Teacher Ratio
8.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
4
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Maricopa County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Sentinel Elementary District (4250)
District Enrollment
34
Schools in District
1
Per-Pupil Spending
$43,079
District Rank
#1 of 1

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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