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Very Good

#245 of 842 schools in PR

Top 29% in state

Rafael Zamot Cruz

Elementary School · PUERTO RICO DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

PO BOX 59003 SUITE 166, Hatillo, PR 00659

Enrollment

187

Student-Teacher

8.1:1

Score

7.5

Grades

Kindergarten – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Puerto Rico schools

#245 of 842

In Hatillo

#2 of 8

public schools

In district

#245 of 842

PUERTO RICO DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

Academic growth

8.3 / 10

Excellent

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Rafael Zamot Cruz

7.5/10

Elementary School in Hatillo · grades Kindergarten – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Santiago R. Palmer

8.3/10

2.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Superior Miguel F Santiago Echegaray

5.7/10

2.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Rafael Zamot Cruz

Rafael Zamot Cruz is a public elementary school in Hatillo, PR, part of PUERTO RICO DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION. Rafael Zamot Cruz serves approximately 187 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-8th, and has a 8.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Rafael Zamot Cruz has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.5 out of 10 and ranks #245 of 842 schools in PR.

Structured state assessment records for Rafael Zamot Cruz show 35% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2018) and 61% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2018).

How it compares0.5 pts above district
  • This school 7.5 · Very Good
  • District avg 7.0
  • PR avg 7.0

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 187 students, Rafael Zamot Cruz 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 8.1:1, Rafael Zamot Cruz 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.

The chronic absenteeism rate at Rafael Zamot Cruz was 43% in the 2022-23 school year, which is above the national average. Chronic absenteeism (missing 15 or more school days) can affect classroom dynamics and pacing. Parents should ask about the school's attendance support programs and what resources are available to help families address barriers to consistent attendance.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.3Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data9
Annual Change+2.17 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2018
TrendImproving
Academics7.2Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency32% (2018 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency57% (2018 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency45% (2018 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)43% (model expectation from 2018 EdFacts)
vs. Expected+1.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile59th
Resources & Environment6.0Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio8.1:1
Chronic Absenteeism43.3%

Rafael Zamot Cruz — Students at Rafael Zamot Cruz score 44% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 43%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

90.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores PR EDFACTS (2017-18)

Math Proficiency 35.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2018)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 61.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2018)
School
State
N/A

Based on 18 test records from PR state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
21%
ELA
40%
2011
Math
29%
ELA
70%
2012
Math
29%
ELA
65%
2013
Math
22%
ELA
57%
2014
Math
32%
ELA
67%
2015
Math
47%
ELA
62%
2016
Math
49%
ELA
68%
2017
Math
57%
ELA
67%
2018
Math
32%
ELA
57%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 8.3/10.

How Rafael Zamot Cruz Compares

See how Rafael Zamot Cruz performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.5/10
71th percentile in PR
Academic
7.2/10
Very Good
Growth
8.3/10
Excellent
Environment
6.0/10
Average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
91%
Teaching Staff
8:1 student-teacher ratio
23 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
43.3%

Location

PO BOX 59003 SUITE 166, Hatillo, PR 00659

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Rafael Zamot Cruz may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. DR. EFRAIN GONZALEZ TEJERA (rated 9.5/10, 4.8 miles away, in nearby Utuado), which scores notably higher. Another option is HECTOR HERNANDEZ ARANA (rated 9.4/10, 5.7 miles away, in nearby Lares), which scores notably higher. Additionally, CARMEN NOELIA PERAZA TOLEDO (rated 8.6/10, 6.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Hatillo, see our Hatillo schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 7.0 mi
School Distance Rating
SANTIAGO R. PALMER Camuy 2.1 mi 8.3
SUPERIOR MIGUEL F SANTIAGO ECHEGARAY Camuy 2.1 mi 5.7
LUIS MELENDEZ RODRIGUEZ Hatillo 3.2 mi 4.0
ANIBAL REYES BELEN Hatillo 3.4 mi 5.5
TIMOTEO DELGADO Hatillo 4.5 mi 5.1
DR. EFRAIN GONZALEZ TEJERA Utuado 4.8 mi 9.5
MANUEL RUIZ GANDIA Arecibo 5.2 mi 4.7
JOAQUIN VAZQUEZ CRUZ Camuy 5.2 mi 5.8
JOSE VIZCARRONDO Utuado 5.5 mi 5.2
PROFESOR RAFAEL ALICEA VAZQUEZ Lares 5.6 mi 5.7
HECTOR HERNANDEZ ARANA Lares 5.7 mi 9.4
EUGENIO MARIA DE HOSTOS HATILLO Hatillo 6.4 mi 6.2
JULIO SEIJO Arecibo 6.3 mi 8.3
FRANCISCO JORDAN Utuado 6.4 mi 8.2
CARMEN NOELIA PERAZA TOLEDO Hatillo 6.6 mi 8.6
LUIS MUNOZ RIVERA HATILLO Hatillo 6.6 mi 5.5
ANTONIO REYES Camuy 7.0 mi 5.4
RAMON DE JESUS SIERRA Lares 6.9 mi 3.6
DOMINGO APONTE COLLAZO Lares 7.0 mi 5.6
DANIEL VELEZ SOTO Lares 7.0 mi 8.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 00659 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$27,297

Median Home Value

$130,000

Median Rent

$598/mo

Population

37,203

College Educated

30.8%

Homeownership

73.8%

Avg Commute

25.9 min

Poverty Rate

37%

Median Age

45.6

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
CONRADO RODRIGUEZ Rincon, PR 7.5
MANUEL BOADA San Juan, PR 7.5
MIGUEL GONZALEZ BAUZA Penuelas, PR 7.5
RAFAEL ANTONIO DELGADO MATEO Guayama, PR 7.5
AUREA E. RIVERA COLLAZO Ponce, PR 7.6
DR. JULIO J. HENNA San Juan, PR 7.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Rafael Zamot Cruz

What grades does Rafael Zamot Cruz serve?

Rafael Zamot Cruz serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.

How many students attend Rafael Zamot Cruz?

Rafael Zamot Cruz has an enrollment of approximately 187 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Rafael Zamot Cruz?

The student-teacher ratio at Rafael Zamot Cruz is 8.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Rafael Zamot Cruz rank in PR?

Rafael Zamot Cruz ranks #245 of 842 schools in PR.

What is Rafael Zamot Cruz's MySchoolScout rating?

Rafael Zamot Cruz has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.5 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Rafael Zamot Cruz?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Rafael Zamot Cruz has 35% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2018) and 61% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2018).

Is Rafael Zamot Cruz a charter school?

No, Rafael Zamot Cruz is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Rafael Zamot Cruz a Title I school?

No, Rafael Zamot Cruz is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Rafael Zamot Cruz?

90.9% of students at Rafael Zamot Cruz qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
187
Student-Teacher Ratio
8.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
23
Free/Reduced Lunch
90.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Town
County
Hatillo Municipio
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
43.3%

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academics, and learning environment — plus college readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, with growth counting most in elementary and middle grades. Equity data is shown for context but is not factored into the score. 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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