Top Rankings
Safford Unified District (4218) ranks among the top 20% of public school district in Arizona for:
Category
Attribute
Graduation Rate
Highest graduation rate (Top 20%)
Community Size
Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
For the 2026-27 school year, there are 6 public schools serving 2,874 students in Safford Unified District (4218). This district's average testing ranking is 6/10, which is in the top 50% of public schools in Arizona.
Public Schools in Safford Unified District (4218) have an average math proficiency score of 33% (versus the Arizona public school average of 34%), and reading proficiency score of 40% (versus the 41% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 62% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Arizona public school average of 67% (majority Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (AZ)
# Schools
6 Schools
2,470 Schools
# Students
2,874 Students
1,108,833 Students
# Teachers
143 Teachers
61,988 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
20:1
20:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Safford Unified District (4218), which is ranked within the top 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 84% has increased from 83% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#232 out of 618 school districts
(Top 50%)
(Top 50%)
Showing 2013–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
33%
34%
Showing 2013–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
39%
40%
Showing 2012–2022. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
23%
24%
Graduation Rate
84%
77.8%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓
Chronically Absent Students
(2022-23)36.1%
41.2%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.53
0.66
Showing 2014–2023. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓
% American Indian
2%
5%
Showing 2012–2023. Full 28-year historical data available below ↓
% Asian
n/a
3%
Showing 1995–2014. Full 25-year historical data available below ↓
% Hispanic
57%
49%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓
% Black
1%
6%
Showing 2012–2023. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓
% White
38%
33%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
2%
4%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $13,201 in this school district is less than the state median of $14,457. The school district revenue/student has grown by 9% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $12,604 is less than the state median of $13,869. The school district spending/student has grown by 10% over four school years.
Total Revenue
$38 MM
$16,030 MM
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Spending
$36 MM
$15,378 MM
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Revenue / Student
$13,201
$14,457
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Spending / Student
$12,604
$13,869
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Best Safford Unified District (4218) Public Schools (2026-27)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Dorothy Stinson School
(Math: 40% | Reading: 46%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
2013 S 8th Ave
Safford, AZ 85546
(928) 348-7010
Safford, AZ 85546
(928) 348-7010
Gr: PK-6 | 539 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 65%
Rank: #22.
Lafe Nelson School
(Math: 39% | Reading: 42%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1100 S 10th Ave
Safford, AZ 85546
(928) 348-7020
Safford, AZ 85546
(928) 348-7020
Gr: K-6 | 471 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 63%
Rank: #33.
Safford High School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1400 W 11th St
Safford, AZ 85546
(928) 348-7050
Safford, AZ 85546
(928) 348-7050
Gr: 9-12 | 828 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 61%
Rank: #44.
Ruth Powell Elementary School
(Math: 34% | Reading: 39%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1041 S 14th Ave
Safford, AZ 85546
(928) 348-7030
Safford, AZ 85546
(928) 348-7030
Gr: PK-6 | 575 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 60%
Rank: #55.
Mt Graham High School
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
300 W Discovery Park Blvd
Safford, AZ 85546
(928) 348-7060
Safford, AZ 85546
(928) 348-7060
Gr: 9-12 | 86 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 57%
Rank: #66.
Safford Middle School
(Math: 22% | Reading: 35%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
698 W 11th St
Safford, AZ 85546
(928) 348-7040
Safford, AZ 85546
(928) 348-7040
Gr: 7-8 | 375 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 59%
Frequently Asked Questions
How many schools belong to Safford Unified District (4218)?
Safford Unified District (4218) manages 6 public schools serving 2,874 students.
What is the rank of Safford Unified District (4218)?
Safford Unified District (4218) is ranked #243 out of 599 school districts in Arizona (top 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 20%) and Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
What is the racial composition of students in Safford Unified District (4218)?
57% of Safford Unified District (4218) students are Hispanic, 38% of students are White, 2% of students are American Indian, 2% of students are Two or more races, and 1% of students are Black.
What is the student/teacher ratio of Safford Unified District (4218)?
Safford Unified District (4218) has a student/teacher ratio of 20:1, which is higher than the Arizona state average of 17:1.
What is Safford Unified District (4218)'s spending/student ratio?
The school district's spending/student of $12,604 is less than the state median of $13,869. The school district spending/student has grown by 10% over four school years.
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