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Average

#192 of 225 private schools in AZ

Sonshine Christian School

Elementary School

1916 N FRANK REED RD, Nogales, AZ 85621

Private Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on AZ statewide data. Learn more

Enrollment

58

Student-Teacher

8.4:1

Score

5.1

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

In Nogales

#2 of 4

public schools

Arizona elementary schools

#94 of 118

About Sonshine Christian School

Sonshine Christian School serves 58 students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade in Nogales, Arizona, earning an impressive 9.4 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking 43rd among Arizona's 225 elementary schools. This places the school in the 81st percentile statewide, a remarkable achievement for a small educational community. With just 7 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains an exceptional 8.4 to 1 student-teacher ratio, allowing for highly personalized attention and individualized instruction.

This intimate learning environment enables teachers to know each student well and tailor their approach to individual needs and learning styles. The school operates within the 85621 zip code area, where the median household income is $37,004 and the median home value is $163,000. The surrounding community has a college education rate of 17 percent, with a poverty rate of 26.7 percent among the area's 21,421 residents.

Despite its name suggesting a Christian affiliation, Sonshine Christian School functions as a regular public elementary school, providing quality education without religious requirements. The school's outstanding performance demonstrates that effective education can thrive in smaller settings, offering families an alternative to larger institutional environments while maintaining academic excellence in Nogales' remote town setting.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 58 students, Sonshine Christian 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 8.4:1, Sonshine Christian 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.

As a private school, Sonshine Christian School operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.

Compare to Public Schools

Beta

How Sonshine Christian School compares to 9 public schools serving similar grades in Nogales, AZ

Student-Teacher Ratio
8.4:1
This School
vs
37.9:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
58
This School
vs
308
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
5.1
This School
vs
5.6
Public Avg

Student Demographics

Hispanic 98.3% vs 0%
White 1.7% vs 0%
Sonshine Christian School Nogales Public Avg

Nearby Elementary Schools

School Rating
Sonshine Christian School (this school) 5.1
Francisco Vasquez De Coronado Elementary School 4.7
Mexicayotl Charter School 5.3
A J Mitchell Elementary School 5.0
Mary L Welty Elementary School 4.4
NUSD Online 4.8
Lincoln Elementary School 4.6
Challenger Elementary School 7.1
Robert Bracker Elementary 5.6
Little Red Schoolhouse 9.1

Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.

Score Breakdown

What This Rating Measures

This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in AZ.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
A- 7.9 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 8.4:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
C+ 4.1 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 6.5 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,170
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
C- 2.4 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 3%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
C+ 4.2 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 58
View data sources

Score basis: Private school model

Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data

Components scored: 4 of 5

Ranking pool: Private schools in AZ

Test Scores

Test score data not yet available for this school.

Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Hispanic 98.3%
White 1.7%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

1916 N FRANK REED RD, Nogales, AZ 85621

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Sonshine Christian School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Little Red Schoolhouse (rated 9.1/10, 4.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Challenger Elementary School (rated 7.1/10, 2.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Calabasas School (rated 6.0/10, 4.9 miles away, in nearby Rio Rico), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Nogales, see our Nogales schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 4.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Nogales High School Nogales 0.2 mi 8.0
Francisco Vasquez De Coronado Elementary School Nogales 0.7 mi 4.7
Mexicayotl Charter School Nogales 1.1 mi 5.3
Pinnacle Charter High School Tempe 1.2 mi 5.8
Wade Carpenter Middle School Nogales 1.4 mi 6.6
A J Mitchell Elementary School Nogales 1.6 mi 5.0
Mary L Welty Elementary School Nogales 1.7 mi 4.4
SACRED HEART SCHOOL Nogales 2.0 mi 5.2
Pierson High School Nogales 2.0 mi 7.5
NUSD Online Nogales 2.0 mi 4.8
EdOptions Preparatory Academy Tempe 2.1 mi 6.1
Colegio Petite Arizona Phoenix 2.0 mi 5.6
SACRED HEART CATHOLIC SCHOOL Nogales 2.2 mi 4.8
Lincoln Elementary School Nogales 2.2 mi 4.6
LOURDES CATHOLIC SCHOOL Nogales 2.1 mi 4.6
Challenger Elementary School Nogales 2.2 mi 7.1
Desert Shadows Middle School Nogales 2.6 mi 6.5
Robert Bracker Elementary Nogales 2.7 mi 5.6
Calabasas School Rio Rico 4.9 mi 6.0
Little Red Schoolhouse Nogales 4.9 mi 9.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 85621 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$41,309

Median Home Value

$173,600

Median Rent

$700/mo

Population

21,512

College Educated

18.5%

Homeownership

50.7%

Avg Commute

20 min

Poverty Rate

25%

Median Age

37.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Sonshine Christian School has a median household income of $41,309. It is a community where 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $173,600, with a median rent of $700/month. The area has a poverty rate of 25.0%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 20 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
GRACEPOINTE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Tucson, AZ 5.1
ARROWHEAD MONTESSORI Peoria, AZ 5.2
PILGRIM LUTHERAN SCHOOL Mesa, AZ 5.2
PRIMAVERA SCHOOL Prescott, AZ 5.2
Paulden Community School Paulden, AZ 4.9
Concordia Charter School Mesa, AZ 4.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Sonshine Christian School

What grades does Sonshine Christian School serve?

Sonshine Christian School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Sonshine Christian School?

Sonshine Christian School has an enrollment of approximately 58 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Sonshine Christian School?

The student-teacher ratio at Sonshine Christian School is 8.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does Sonshine Christian School rank in AZ?

Sonshine Christian School is ranked #192 out of 225 private schools in AZ.

What is Sonshine Christian School's MySchoolScout rating?

Sonshine Christian School has a composite rating of 5.1 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.

Is Sonshine Christian School a private school?

Yes, Sonshine Christian School is a private coeducational school with a Baptist affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.

Is Sonshine Christian School a religious school?

Sonshine Christian School has a Baptist religious affiliation.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
High (3,830/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Nogales). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
58
Gender Split
53% M / 47% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
8.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
7
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Baptist
School Day
6.5 hours
Days Per Year
180 days
Setting
Remote Town
County
SANTA CRUZ
Data Year
2022–2023

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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