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
Enrollment
34
Student-Teacher
8.5:1
Score
5.7
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
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Sentinel Elementary School — Students at Sentinel Elementary School score 40% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 39%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
0.1%
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: 3.0/10.
How Sentinel Elementary School Compares
See how Sentinel Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 69.5% (2019) to 49.5% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 49.5% (2019) to 30% (2022).
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.
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
- Phone
- (928) 323-3300
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
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 methodologyRelated reading
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