Skip to main content

Excellent

#2 of 1,790 private schools in CA

Top 1% of private schools

Southwestern Academy

High School

8800 E RANCH CAMPUS RD, Rimrock, CA 86335

Private Estimated Score

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

Enrollment

113

Student-Teacher

6.8:1

Score

9.0

Grades

6th – 12th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

California high schools

#1 of 277

About Southwestern Academy

Southwestern Academy serves 113 students in grades 6-12 in the rural community of Rimrock, California. This small public school maintains an exceptionally low student-teacher ratio of 6.8:1 with 16 full-time equivalent teachers, allowing for personalized attention and close student-faculty relationships that larger schools often cannot provide. The school has earned strong recognition for its academic program, receiving a 9.0 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking #556 out of 1,790 California schools, placing it in the 69th percentile statewide.

This impressive performance demonstrates the school's commitment to educational excellence despite its rural location and modest size. Southwestern Academy draws students from a community where the median household income is $57,683 and the median home value is $272,700. The surrounding area has a poverty rate of 8.1%, while 17% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher.

The school's small enrollment creates an intimate learning environment where students can develop meaningful connections with both peers and teachers. Located on Ranch Campus Road in the rural landscape of Yavapai County, Southwestern Academy offers students an educational experience set against the backdrop of Arizona's high desert country, providing a unique setting that combines academic focus with the character-building opportunities that come from small-town community life.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 113 students, Southwestern Academy 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 6.8:1, Southwestern Academy 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, Southwestern Academy 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.

Financial Overview

Source: IRS Form 990 (2023 filing)

Per-Pupil Spending
Total expenses ÷ enrollment
$35,620
Per-Pupil Revenue
Total revenue ÷ enrollment
$32,365
Financial Health
Revenue-to-expense ratio (>1.0 = surplus)
0.91x — Tight
Tuition Dependency
Share of revenue from program services (tuition, fees)
83%
Total Assets
End-of-year total assets from IRS filing
$22.4M

Financial data from IRS Form 990 filings via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Per-pupil figures based on current enrollment of 113 students. Not all private schools file Form 990.

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 CA.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
A 8.6 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 6.8:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
A+ 9.6 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 8.7 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,539.9
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
A+ 9.8 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 76%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
A- 8.1 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 113
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 CA

Test Scores

Test score data not yet available for this school.

Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

White 30.1%
Asian 25.7%
Hispanic 19.5%
Black 11.5%
Native American 6.2%
Two or More 4.4%
Pacific Islander 2.7%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

8800 E RANCH CAMPUS RD, Rimrock, CA 86335

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Southwestern Academy may also want to explore other high schools in the area. VERDE VALLEY SCHOOL (rated 9.1/10, 10.8 miles away, in nearby Sedona), with a very similar rating. Another option is Camp Verde High School (rated 6.9/10, 11.1 miles away, in nearby Camp Verde), a more accessible option. Additionally, Camp Verde Accommodation School (rated 5.5/10, 12.1 miles away, in nearby Camp Verde), a more accessible option. For more schools in Rimrock, see our Rimrock schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 17.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Beaver Creek School Rimrock 4.3 mi 7.3
SEDONA SKY ACADEMY Rimrock 6.9 mi
VERDE VALLEY SCHOOL Sedona 10.8 mi 9.1
Camp Verde High School Camp Verde 11.1 mi 6.9
Camp Verde Elementary School Camp Verde 11.1 mi 6.2
Camp Verde Middle School Camp Verde 11.3 mi 5.2
Camp Verde Accommodation School Camp Verde 12.1 mi 5.5
Camp Verde Online Camp Verde 12.1 mi
Desert Star Community School Cornville 11.3 mi 7.3
American Heritage Academy - Camp Verde Cottonwood 12.3 mi 7.3
UNITED CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Camp Verde 12.6 mi 5.3
West Sedona Elementary School Sedona 14.4 mi 7.5
Oak Creek Elementary School Cornville 12.5 mi 7.1
VACTE - Sedona-Oak Creek Joint Unified School District Sedona 14.0 mi
Sedona Red Rock Junior/Senior High School Sedona 14.0 mi 5.1
Red Rock Academy Sedona 14.0 mi
VACTE - Yavapai College Sedona Center Sedona 14.2 mi
Sedona Charter School Sedona 14.6 mi 6.6
VACTE - Valley Academy for Career and Technology Education Cottonwood 17.0 mi
Mountain View Preparatory School Cottonwood 17.0 mi 5.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 86335 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$54,540

Median Home Value

$291,900

Median Rent

$1,475/mo

Population

4,744

College Educated

19.3%

Homeownership

68.2%

Avg Commute

29.2 min

Poverty Rate

12.3%

Median Age

63.2

Community Profile

The community surrounding Southwestern Academy has a median household income of $54,540. It is a community where 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $291,900, with a median rent of $1,475/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.3%. The average commute for residents is 29 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
Connections Visual and Performing Arts Academy Tuolumne, CA 9.1
Cambridge Virtual Academy Anaheim, CA 8.8
Magnolia Science Academy 4 Los Angeles, CA 8.8
Tomales High Tomales, CA 8.8
Soc Just Leadership Acad at Esteban E. Torres High #5 Los Angeles, CA 9.3
East Village Middle College High San Diego, CA 8.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Southwestern Academy

What grades does Southwestern Academy serve?

Southwestern Academy serves students in grades 6th through 12th.

How many students attend Southwestern Academy?

Southwestern Academy has an enrollment of approximately 113 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Southwestern Academy?

The student-teacher ratio at Southwestern Academy is 6.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does Southwestern Academy rank in CA?

Southwestern Academy is ranked #2 out of 1,790 private schools in CA.

What is Southwestern Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

Southwestern Academy has a composite rating of 9.0 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.

Is Southwestern Academy a private school?

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

Is Southwestern Academy a religious school?

No, Southwestern Academy is a nonsectarian (non-religious) private school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
0 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
1 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR. County-level only.

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
6th – 12th
Enrollment
113
Gender Split
52% M / 48% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
6.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
17
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Nonsectarian
School Day
8.7 hours
Days Per Year
177 days
Setting
Distant Rural
County
YAVAPAI
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

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.