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Saddle Mountain Unified School District (4254)

Item: Saddle Mountain Unified School District (4254)
Rating: 5
Author: Public School Review

38201 W Indian School Rd
Tonopah, AZ 85354-7301

( shown in map)

Bottom 50%

Tel: (623) 474-5115

smusd90.org

Top Rankings

Saddle Mountain Unified School District (4254) ranks among the top 20% of public school district in Arizona for:

Overview

This School District

This State (AZ)

# Schools

6 Schools

2,478 Schools

# Students

3,265 Students

1,110,658 Students

# Teachers

153 Teachers

62,141 Teachers

Student-Teacher Ratio

21:1

Student By Grade

View Data

Comparison of Students By Grade Trends
Grade	Saddle Mountain Unified School District (4254)	Arizona
Pre-K	32	28
Kind	263	101
1	268	107
2	302	112
3	280	117
4	276	114
5	268	118
6	239	118
7	228	118
8	235	120
9	237	122
10	218	126
11	217	128
12	202	139

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District Rank

Saddle Mountain Unified School District (4254), 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 decreased from 95% over five school years.

This School District

State Average (AZ)

#355 out of 618 school districts
(Bottom 50%)

View Data

Overall School District Rank Trends
Year	Saddle Mountain Unified School District (4254)
2023	#355
2022	#399
2021	#342
2019	#337
2018	#270
2017	#351
2016	#310
2015	#334
2014	#328
2013	#334
2012	#237

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26%

34%

View Data

Math Proficiency Trends
Year	Saddle Mountain Unified School District (4254)	Arizona
2023	26%	34%
2022	25%	35%
2021	26%	32%
2019	43%	45%
2018	43%	45%
2017	40%	42%
2016	41%	39%
2015	41%	38%
2014	58%	63%
2013	57%	63%
2012	60%	63%

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26%

40%

View Data

Reading and Language Arts Proficiency Trends
Year	Saddle Mountain Unified School District (4254)	Arizona
2022	26%	40%
2021	27%	39%
2019	35%	45%
2018	43%	44%
2017	31%	42%
2016	31%	40%
2015	27%	38%
2014	72%	79%
2013	71%	78%
2012	77%	77%
2011	66%	77%

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12%

24%

92%

77%

View Data

Graduation Rate Trends
Year	Saddle Mountain Unified School District (4254)	Arizona
2023	92%	77%
2022	95%	77%
2021	95%	76%
2020	95%	76%
2019	95%	78%
2018	95%	78%
2017	95%	78%
2016	82%	80%
2015	95%	79%
2014	92%	77%
2013	87%	76%

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(2022-23)

47.6%

41.2%

View Data

Chronic Absenteeism Rate Trends
Year	Saddle Mountain Unified School District (4254)	Arizona
2023	47.6%	41.2%
2022	61.3%	46.9%
2021	49.6%	34.3%

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Students by Ethnicity:

0.50

0.66

View Data

Comparison of Diversity Score Trends
Year	Saddle Mountain Unified School District (4254)	Arizona
2023	0.54	0.65
2022	0.56	0.65
2021	0.57	0.66
2020	0.58	0.65
2019	0.58	0.65
2018	0.56	0.65
2017	0.56	0.65
2016	0.56	0.65
2015	0.54	0.64
2014	0.48	0.64
2013	0.41	0.64
2012	0.55	0.64
2011	0.55	0.65
2010	0.55	0.64
2009	0.56	0.64
2008	0.55	0.63
2007	0.53	0.63
2006	0.50	0.63
2005	0.49	0.62
2004	0.48	0.63
2003	0.49	0.63
2002	0.47	0.62
2001	0.47	0.62
2000	0.43	0.62
1999	0.46	0.60
1998	0.50	0.59
1997	0.53	0.58
1996	0.50	0.58
1995	0.50	0.58
1994	0.43	0.57
1993	0.43	0.56
1992	0.40	0.56
1991	0.42	0.54

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% American Indian

View Data

American Indian Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1993-2023)
Year	Saddle Mountain Unified School District (4254)	Arizona
2023	2%	5%
2022	2%	5%
2021	2%	5%
2020	1%	6%
2019	1%	6%
2016	1%	5%
2015	1%	5%
2014	1%	5%
2013	1%	5%
2011	1%	7%
2010	2%	6%
2009	1%	6%
2008	1%	5%
2007	2%	6%
2006	1%	7%
2005	2%	7%
2004	3%	8%
2003	3%	8%
2002	4%	8%
2001	3%	8%
2000	1%	8%
1999	2%	7%
1998	1%	7%
1997	1%	7%
1996	1%	7%
1995	2%	7%
1994	3%	7%
1993	1%	7%

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% Asian

n/a

View Data

Asian Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1994-2020)
Year	Saddle Mountain Unified School District (4254)	Arizona
2020	1%	3%
2019	1%	3%
2010	1%	3%
2009	1%	3%
2008	1%	3%
2007	1%	3%
2006	1%	2%
2005	1%	2%
2003	1%	2%
2001	1%	2%
2000	1%	2%
1999	1%	2%
1998	1%	2%
1997	2%	2%
1996	2%	2%
1995	2%	2%
1994	2%	2%

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% Hispanic

67%

49%

View Data

Hispanic Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1991-2023)
Year	Saddle Mountain Unified School District (4254)	Arizona
2023	61%	47%
2022	57%	47%
2021	52%	46%
2020	46%	45%
2019	46%	45%
2018	44%	45%
2017	44%	45%
2016	38%	45%
2015	35%	45%
2014	26%	44%
2013	20%	43%
2012	47%	43%
2011	45%	42%
2010	41%	41%
2009	42%	41%
2008	41%	42%
2007	36%	41%
2006	30%	39%
2005	29%	38%
2004	28%	37%
2003	28%	36%
2002	27%	35%
2001	26%	33%
2000	24%	33%
1999	25%	32%
1998	28%	31%
1997	30%	30%
1996	28%	30%
1995	30%	29%
1994	23%	28%
1993	21%	27%
1992	19%	25%
1991	26%	25%

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% Black

View Data

Black Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1992-2023)
Year	Saddle Mountain Unified School District (4254)	Arizona
2023	5%	6%
2022	4%	6%
2021	5%	6%
2020	3%	5%
2019	3%	5%
2018	4%	5%
2017	4%	5%
2016	4%	5%
2015	4%	5%
2014	4%	5%
2013	4%	5%
2012	3%	5%
2011	3%	5%
2010	3%	6%
2009	4%	6%
2008	4%	6%
2007	3%	5%
2006	2%	5%
2005	2%	5%
2004	2%	5%
2003	2%	5%
2002	1%	5%
2001	2%	5%
2000	2%	4%
1999	3%	5%
1998	5%	4%
1997	5%	4%
1996	4%	4%
1995	2%	4%
1993	3%	4%
1992	4%	4%

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% White

24%

33%

View Data

White Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1991-2023)
Year	Saddle Mountain Unified School District (4254)	Arizona
2023	30%	35%
2022	35%	35%
2021	39%	36%
2020	46%	38%
2019	46%	38%
2018	50%	38%
2017	50%	38%
2016	55%	39%
2015	59%	40%
2014	68%	41%
2013	74%	42%
2012	48%	42%
2011	50%	42%
2010	53%	44%
2009	52%	44%
2008	53%	44%
2007	58%	45%
2006	66%	47%
2005	66%	48%
2004	67%	48%
2003	66%	49%
2002	68%	50%
2001	68%	52%
2000	72%	53%
1999	69%	54%
1998	65%	56%
1997	62%	57%
1996	65%	57%
1995	64%	58%
1994	72%	59%
1993	73%	60%
1992	75%	61%
1991	72%	65%

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% Hawaiian

n/a

% Two or more races

View Data

Two or More Races Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (2013-2023)
Year	Saddle Mountain Unified School District (4254)	Arizona
2023	2%	4%
2022	2%	4%
2021	2%	4%
2020	3%	3%
2019	3%	3%
2018	2%	3%
2017	2%	3%
2016	2%	3%
2015	1%	2%
2014	1%	2%
2013	1%	2%

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All Ethnic Groups

District Revenue and Spending

The revenue/student of $9,111 in this school district is less than the state median of $11,558. The school district revenue/student has declined by 14% over four school years.

The school district's spending/student of $12,944 is higher than the state median of $11,459. The school district spending/student has grown by 26% over four school years.

This School District

This State (AZ)

Total Revenue

$30 MM

$12,837 MM

View Data

Total Revenues Trends
Year	Saddle Mountain Unified School District (4254)	Arizona
2023	$30 MM	$4 MM
2022	$22 MM	$4 MM
2021	$30 MM	$4 MM
2020	$22 MM	$4 MM
2019	$19 MM	$4 MM
2018	$17 MM	$4 MM
2017	$16 MM	$4 MM
2016	$15 MM	$3 MM
2015	$15 MM	$3 MM
2014	$17 MM	$3 MM
2012	$15 MM	$3 MM
2011	$17 MM	$3 MM
2010	$15 MM	$3 MM
2009	$23 MM	$2 MM
2008	$21 MM	$2 MM
2007	$29 MM	$2 MM
2006	$17 MM	$2 MM
2005	$12 MM	$2 MM
2004	$10 MM	$2 MM
2003	$5 MM	$2 MM
2002	$3 MM	$2 MM
2001	$5 MM	$1 MM
2000	$4 MM	$8 MM
1999	$4 MM	$2 MM
1998	$4 MM	$2 MM
1997	$2 MM	$7 MM
1996	$2 MM	$6 MM
1995	$3 MM	$6 MM

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Spending

$42 MM

$12,727 MM

View Data

Total Expenditure Trends
Year	Saddle Mountain Unified School District (4254)	Arizona
2023	$42 MM	$4 MM
2022	$21 MM	$4 MM
2021	$42 MM	$4 MM
2020	$21 MM	$4 MM
2019	$20 MM	$4 MM
2018	$18 MM	$4 MM
2017	$16 MM	$3 MM
2016	$15 MM	$3 MM
2015	$16 MM	$2 MM
2014	$14 MM	$3 MM
2012	$19 MM	$3 MM
2011	$17 MM	$2 MM
2010	$16 MM	$2 MM
2009	$18 MM	$2 MM
2008	$16 MM	$2 MM
2007	$28 MM	$2 MM
2006	$15 MM	$2 MM
2005	$31 MM	$2 MM
2004	$11 MM	$1 MM
2003	$5 MM	$1 MM
2002	$4 MM	$1 MM
2001	$3 MM	$2 MM
2000	$3 MM	$8 MM
1999	$6 MM	$2 MM
1998	$3 MM	$2 MM
1997	$2 MM	$6 MM
1996	$2 MM	$6 MM
1995	$2 MM	$6 MM

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Revenue / Student

$9,111

$11,558

View Data

Average Revenue Per Student Trends
Year	Saddle Mountain Unified School District (4254)	Arizona
2023	$9,456	$10,782
2022	$10,638	$10,794
2021	$13,204	$11,986
2020	$10,638	$10,794
2019	$9,890	$11,173
2018	$10,243	$11,763
2017	$10,161	$10,306
2016	$10,293	$9,541
2015	$10,584	$9,449
2014	$11,648	$8,489
2012	$11,409	$9,312
2011	$12,931	$9,958
2010	$10,052	$9,449
2009	$14,252	$9,374
2008	$14,122	$9,689
2007	$24,754	$9,028
2006	$17,688	$7,988
2005	$17,986	$7,640
2004	$15,296	$7,113
2003	$8,383	$6,846
2002	$7,089	$7,000
2001	$11,700	$5,056
2000	$11,336	$26,222
1999	$11,780	$5,976
1998	$12,680	$5,422
1997	$6,431	$15,154
1995	$10,625	$5,429
1992	$9,810	$5,848

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Spending / Student

$12,944

$11,459

View Data

Average Expenditure Per Student Trends
Year	Saddle Mountain Unified School District (4254)	Arizona
2023	$13,433	$10,054
2022	$10,242	$10,562
2021	$18,758	$11,177
2020	$10,242	$10,562
2019	$10,001	$10,609
2018	$10,790	$11,165
2017	$10,357	$9,883
2016	$9,727	$8,430
2015	$11,294	$8,879
2014	$10,010	$8,678
2012	$14,459	$9,270
2011	$12,923	$9,464
2010	$10,726	$8,879
2009	$11,345	$8,323
2008	$10,384	$8,177
2007	$23,740	$7,648
2006	$15,965	$7,012
2005	$44,802	$6,644
2004	$16,553	$6,165
2003	$7,583	$5,701
2002	$7,348	$6,081
2001	$7,973	$6,763
2000	$9,066	$24,897
1999	$18,545	$6,021
1998	$9,223	$5,233
1997	$6,465	$13,894
1995	$7,170	$5,519
1992	$6,825	$5,527

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

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)

Location

Quick Facts

Rank: #11.

Tartesso Elementary School

(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 28%)
:

Top 50%

Add to Compare

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%)
:

Bottom 50%

Add to Compare

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%)
:

Bottom 50%

Add to Compare

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%)
:

Bottom 50%

Add to Compare

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

Desert Sunset Elementary School

Add to Compare

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

Saddle Mountain Online Academy

Add to Compare

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 #363 out of 601 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 $12,944 is higher than the state median of $11,459. The school district spending/student has grown by 26% over four school years.

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Quick Facts (2026)

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