Saddle Mountain Unified School District (4254)

38201 W Indian School Rd
Tonopah, AZ 85354-7301
(District boundaries shown in map)
: 
5/
10
Bottom 50%

Top Rankings

Saddle Mountain Unified School District (4254) 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 2026-27 school year, there are 6 public schools serving 3,265 students in Saddle Mountain Unified School District (4254). This district's average testing ranking is 5/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public schools in Arizona.
Public Schools in Saddle Mountain Unified School District (4254) have an average math proficiency score of 26% (versus the Arizona public school average of 34%), and reading proficiency score of 26% (versus the 41% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 76% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Arizona public school average of 67% (majority Hispanic).

Overview

This School District
This State (AZ)
# Schools
6 Schools
2,470 Schools
# Students
3,265 Students
1,108,833 Students
# Teachers
153 Teachers
61,988 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
21:1
21:1

Student By Grade

District Rank

Saddle Mountain Unified School District (4254), which is ranked within the bottom 50% of all 599 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 decreased from 95% over five school years.
This School District
State Average (AZ)
#355 out of 618 school districts
(Bottom 50%)

Showing 2013–2023. View full 14-year historical data

26%
34%

Showing 2013–2023. View full 14-year historical data

26%
40%

Showing 2012–2022. View full 13-year historical data

12%
24%
92%
77.8%

Showing 2014–2023. View full 13-year historical data

(2022-23)
47.6%
41.2%

Students by Ethnicity:

0.50
0.66

Showing 2014–2023. View full 36-year historical data

% American Indian
1%
5%

Showing 2011–2023. View full 32-year historical data

% Asian
n/a
3%

Showing 2001–2020. View full 28-year historical data

% Hispanic
67%
49%

Showing 2014–2023. View full 36-year historical data

% Black
6%
6%

Showing 2014–2023. View full 36-year historical data

% White
24%
33%

Showing 2014–2023. View full 36-year historical data

% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
2%
4%

Showing 2014–2023. View full 13-year historical data

All Ethnic Groups

District Revenue and Spending

The revenue/student of $13,013 in this school district is less than the state median of $14,457. The school district revenue/student has grown by 12% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $13,209 is less than the state median of $13,869. The school district spending/student has declined by 24% over four school years.
This School District
This State (AZ)
Total Revenue
$43 MM
$16,030 MM

Showing 2014–2023. View full 34-year historical data

Spending
$43 MM
$15,378 MM

Showing 2014–2023. View full 34-year historical data

Revenue / Student
$13,013
$14,457

Showing 2014–2023. View full 34-year historical data

Spending / Student
$13,209
$13,869

Showing 2014–2023. View full 34-year historical data

Best Saddle Mountain Unified School District (4254) Public Schools (2026-27)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Tartesso Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 28%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
29677 W Indianola Ave
Buckeye, AZ 85396
(623) 474-5400
Gr: PK-8 | 340 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 71%
Rank: #22.
Winters Well Elementary School
(Math: 32% | Reading: 26%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
35220 W Buckeye Rd
Tonopah, AZ 85354
(623) 474-5301
Gr: PK-5 | 663 students Student-teacher ratio: 26:1 Minority enrollment: 80%
Rank: #33.
Ruth Fisher Middle School
(Math: 20% | Reading: 24%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
38201 W Indian School Rd
Tonopah, AZ 85354
(623) 474-5500
Gr: PK-12 | 745 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 74%
Rank: #44.
Tonopah Valley High School
(Math: 16% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
38201 W Indian School Rd
Tonopah, AZ 85354
(623) 474-5201
Gr: 7-12 | 869 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 77%
Rank: n/an/a
30919 W. White Tanks Vista Dr
Buckeye, AZ 85396
(623) 474-5601
Gr: PK-5 | 648 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 76%
Rank: n/an/a
38201 W Indian School Rd
Tonopah, AZ 85354
(623) 474-5110
Gr: K-12

Frequently Asked Questions

How many schools belong to Saddle Mountain Unified School District (4254)?
Saddle Mountain Unified School District (4254) manages 6 public schools serving 3,265 students.
What is the rank of Saddle Mountain Unified School District (4254)?
Saddle Mountain Unified School District (4254) is ranked #362 out of 599 school districts in Arizona (bottom 50%) based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data for the 2022-2023 school year. This district ranks in the top 20% of Arizona school districts for: Highest graduation rate (Top 5%) and Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
What is the racial composition of students in Saddle Mountain Unified School District (4254)?
67% of Saddle Mountain Unified School District (4254) students are Hispanic, 24% of students are White, 6% of students are Black, 2% of students are Two or more races, and 1% of students are American Indian.
What is the student/teacher ratio of Saddle Mountain Unified School District (4254)?
Saddle Mountain Unified School District (4254) has a student/teacher ratio of 21:1, which is higher than the Arizona state average of 17:1.
What is Saddle Mountain Unified School District (4254)'s spending/student ratio?
The school district's spending/student of $13,209 is less than the state median of $13,869. The school district spending/student has declined by 24% over four school years.

Recent Articles

Is Your Child's School Day Too Structured?
Is Your Child's School Day Too Structured?
Discover where free time disappears during your child's school day, how to evaluate lunch, recess, and classroom schedules, and what parents can do when breaks become structured activities.
When Your Child's Best Friend Is in Another Class
When Your Child's Best Friend Is in Another Class
Discover how to help your child when their best friend is assigned to another classroom, including school placement policies, maintaining friendships, building connections, and knowing when to request help.
Should Your Child Repeat a Grade or Move Ahead?
Should Your Child Repeat a Grade or Move Ahead?
Before agreeing to grade retention, learn what evidence to request, how to review school policies, explore alternatives, understand parental rights, and secure an effective academic support plan for your child.

Quick Facts (26-27)

  • District size: 6 schools
  • Grades: PK-12
  • Enrollment: 3,265 students
  • Student-Teacher Ratio: 21:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 76%
  • : 92% (Top 5% in AZ)
  • : Bottom 50%
  • : 26% (Top 50%)
  • : 26% (Btm 50%)
  • : 12% (Btm 50%)
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), AZ Dept. of Education

Quick Links