Top Rankings
Nogales Unified District (4457) ranks among the top 20% of public school district in Arizona for:
Category
Attribute
Graduation Rate
Highest graduation rate (Top 5%)
Community Size
Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
For the 2026 school year, there are 3 public middle schools serving 1,540 students in Nogales Unified District (4457). This district's average middle testing ranking is 5/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public middle schools in Arizona.
Public Middle Schools in Nogales Unified District (4457) have an average math proficiency score of 24% (versus the Arizona public middle school average of 33%), and reading proficiency score of 32% (versus the 40% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 100% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Arizona public middle school average of 65% (majority Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (AZ)
# Schools
11 Schools
1,150 Schools
# Students
5,696 Students
599,918 Students
# Teachers
273 Teachers
33,128 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
21:1
21:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Nogales Unified District (4457), which is ranked within the bottom 50% of all 601 school districts in Arizona (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2022-2023 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 92% has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#277 out of 618 school districts
(Top 50%)
(Top 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
27%
34%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
33%
40%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
18%
24%
Graduation Rate
92%
77%
Chronically Absent Students
(2022-23)44.5%
41.2%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.01
0.66
% American Indian
n/a
4%
% Asian
1%
4%
% Hispanic
99%
46%
% Black
n/a
6%
% White
n/a
35%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
n/a
5%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $9,223 in this school district is less than the state median of $11,558. The school district revenue/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $9,386 is less than the state median of $11,459. The school district spending/student has grown by 9% over four school years.
Total Revenue
$53 MM
$12,837 MM
Spending
$54 MM
$12,727 MM
Revenue / Student
$9,223
$11,558
Spending / Student
$9,386
$11,459
Best Nogales Unified District (4457) Public Middle Schools (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Desert Shadows Middle School
(Math: 33% | Reading: 39%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
340 Blvd. Del Rey David
Nogales, AZ 85621
(520) 377-2646
Nogales, AZ 85621
(520) 377-2646
Gr: 6-8 | 784 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1
Rank: #22.
Wade Carpenter Middle School
(Math: 13% | Reading: 24%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
595 W Kino St
Nogales, AZ 85621
(520) 287-0820
Nogales, AZ 85621
(520) 287-0820
Gr: 6-8 | 547 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1
Rank: #33.
Nusd Online
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: 20-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
451 N Arroyo Blvd
Nogales, AZ 85621
(520) 287-0915
Nogales, AZ 85621
(520) 287-0915
Gr: K-12 | 209 students Student-teacher ratio: 52:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Recent Articles
Gifted, Honors, and Advanced Tracks: Are They Accessible or Just Advertised?
Learn how to evaluate gifted, honors, and advanced academic programs in public schools, including admission criteria, equity, and the questions every parent should ask.
Algebra Readiness: What Parents Should Ask Before Middle School
Discover how to determine if your child is ready for algebra before middle school, including the questions parents should ask and the skills students need to succeed.
How to Evaluate Reading Instruction in Your Zoned Elementary School
Learn how to evaluate reading instruction in your neighborhood elementary school by recognizing effective literacy practices, asking the right questions, and understanding what quality reading instruction looks like.
