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
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
Enrollment
113
Student-Teacher
6.8:1
Score
9.0
Grades
6th – 12th
Updated
2021-22
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.
Data Unavailable
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)
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 miNeighborhood 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (626) 799-5010
- Data Year
- 2022–2023
Resources & Links
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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