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Safford Unified District (4218)

Item: Safford Unified District (4218)
Rating: 7
Author: Public School Review

734 W 11th St
Safford, AZ 85546-2967

( shown in map)

Top 50%

Tel: (928) 348-7000

www.saffordusd.com

Top Rankings

Safford Unified District (4218) ranks among the top 20% of public school district in Arizona for:

Overview

This School District

This State (AZ)

# Schools

6 Schools

2,470 Schools

# Students

2,895 Students

1,123,267 Students

# Teachers

128 Teachers

50,033 Teachers

Student-Teacher Ratio

23:1

Student By Grade

View Data

Comparison of Students By Grade Trends
Grade	Safford Unified District (4218)	Arizona
Pre-K	59	29
Kind	206	103
1	225	111
2	238	116
3	212	113
4	218	117
5	204	117
6	184	117
7	188	119
8	223	120
9	234	126
10	257	131
11	234	127
12	211	136
Grade Not Listed	2	1

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District Rank

Safford Unified District (4218), which is ranked within the top 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 84% has increased from 83% over five school years.

This School District

State Average (AZ)

#232 out of 618 school districts
(Top 50%)

View Data

Overall School District Rank Trends
Year	Safford Unified District (4218)
2023	#232
2022	#251
2021	#251
2019	#265
2018	#201
2017	#260
2016	#276
2015	#359
2014	#244
2013	#220
2012	#210

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33%

34%

View Data

Math Proficiency Trends
Year	Safford Unified District (4218)	Arizona
2023	33%	34%
2022	36%	35%
2021	33%	32%
2019	47%	45%
2018	50%	45%
2017	42%	42%
2016	40%	39%
2015	34%	38%
2014	67%	63%
2013	64%	63%
2012	64%	63%

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39%

40%

View Data

Reading and Language Arts Proficiency Trends
Year	Safford Unified District (4218)	Arizona
2022	39%	40%
2021	38%	39%
2019	45%	45%
2018	50%	44%
2017	44%	42%
2016	37%	40%
2015	31%	38%
2014	81%	79%
2013	82%	78%
2012	80%	77%
2011	78%	77%

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23%

24%

84%

77%

View Data

Graduation Rate Trends
Year	Safford Unified District (4218)	Arizona
2023	84%	77%
2022	84%	77%
2021	85%	76%
2020	81%	76%
2019	84%	78%
2018	83%	78%
2017	81%	78%
2016	80%	80%
2015	83%	79%
2014	72%	77%
2013	67%	76%

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Students by Ethnicity:

0.53

0.66

View Data

Comparison of Diversity Score Trends
Year	Safford Unified District (4218)	Arizona
2023	0.54	0.65
2022	0.54	0.65
2021	0.54	0.66
2020	0.54	0.65
2019	0.54	0.65
2018	0.53	0.65
2017	0.53	0.65
2016	0.53	0.65
2015	0.45	0.64
2014	0.55	0.64
2013	0.54	0.64
2012	0.54	0.64
2011	0.54	0.65
2010	0.55	0.64
2009	0.54	0.64
2008	0.55	0.63
2007	0.55	0.63
2006	0.55	0.63
2005	0.55	0.62
2004	0.55	0.63
2003	0.54	0.63
2002	0.54	0.62
2001	0.54	0.62
2000	0.54	0.62
1999	0.53	0.60
1998	0.53	0.59
1997	0.53	0.58
1996	0.52	0.58
1995	0.51	0.58
1994	0.51	0.57
1993	0.51	0.56
1992	0.52	0.56
1991	0.51	0.54

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% American Indian

View Data

American Indian Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1997-2023)
Year	Safford Unified District (4218)	Arizona
2023	2%	5%
2022	1%	5%
2021	2%	5%
2020	2%	6%
2019	2%	6%
2018	1%	6%
2017	1%	6%
2014	1%	5%
2013	1%	5%
2012	1%	5%
2011	1%	7%
2010	3%	6%
2009	1%	6%
2008	2%	5%
2007	2%	6%
2006	2%	7%
2005	2%	7%
2004	2%	8%
2003	3%	8%
2002	2%	8%
2001	1%	8%
2000	1%	8%
1999	1%	7%
1998	1%	7%
1997	1%	7%

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% Asian

n/a

View Data

Asian Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1994-2014)
Year	Safford Unified District (4218)	Arizona
2014	1%	3%
2013	1%	3%
2002	1%	2%
2001	1%	2%
2000	2%	2%
1999	1%	2%
1998	1%	2%
1997	1%	2%
1996	1%	2%
1995	2%	2%
1994	1%	2%

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% Hispanic

56%

48%

View Data

Hispanic Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1991-2023)
Year	Safford Unified District (4218)	Arizona
2023	55%	47%
2022	54%	47%
2021	53%	46%
2020	51%	45%
2019	51%	45%
2018	52%	45%
2017	52%	45%
2016	52%	45%
2015	34%	45%
2014	50%	44%
2013	49%	43%
2012	49%	43%
2011	47%	42%
2010	45%	41%
2009	45%	41%
2008	46%	42%
2007	46%	41%
2006	47%	39%
2005	46%	38%
2004	44%	37%
2003	43%	36%
2002	43%	35%
2001	42%	33%
2000	41%	33%
1999	42%	32%
1998	42%	31%
1997	42%	30%
1996	42%	30%
1995	40%	29%
1994	40%	28%
1993	40%	27%
1992	37%	25%
1991	37%	25%

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% Black

View Data

Black Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1991-2023)
Year	Safford Unified District (4218)	Arizona
2023	1%	6%
2022	1%	6%
2021	1%	6%
2020	1%	5%
2019	1%	5%
2016	1%	5%
2015	3%	5%
2014	1%	5%
2013	1%	5%
2012	2%	5%
2011	2%	5%
2010	2%	6%
2009	3%	6%
2008	3%	6%
2007	3%	5%
2006	2%	5%
2005	2%	5%
2004	3%	5%
2003	2%	5%
2002	2%	5%
2001	2%	5%
2000	2%	4%
1999	2%	5%
1998	2%	4%
1997	1%	4%
1996	1%	4%
1995	1%	4%
1994	1%	4%
1993	2%	4%
1992	3%	4%
1991	2%	3%

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% White

39%

34%

View Data

White Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1991-2023)
Year	Safford Unified District (4218)	Arizona
2023	40%	35%
2022	42%	35%
2021	42%	36%
2020	45%	38%
2019	45%	38%
2018	46%	38%
2017	46%	38%
2016	46%	39%
2015	30%	40%
2014	46%	41%
2013	48%	42%
2012	48%	42%
2011	50%	42%
2010	50%	44%
2009	51%	44%
2008	49%	44%
2007	49%	45%
2006	49%	47%
2005	50%	48%
2004	51%	48%
2003	52%	49%
2002	52%	50%
2001	54%	52%
2000	54%	53%
1999	54%	54%
1998	54%	56%
1997	54%	57%
1996	55%	57%
1995	57%	58%
1994	58%	59%
1993	58%	60%
1992	60%	61%
1991	61%	65%

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% Hawaiian

n/a

% Two or more races

View Data

Two or More Races Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (2014-2023)
Year	Safford Unified District (4218)	Arizona
2023	2%	4%
2022	2%	4%
2021	2%	4%
2020	1%	3%
2019	1%	3%
2018	1%	3%
2017	1%	3%
2016	1%	3%
2015	3%	2%
2014	1%	2%

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All Ethnic Groups

District Revenue and Spending

The revenue/student of $9,179 in this school district is less than the state median of $11,429. The school district revenue/student has declined by 5% over four school years.

The school district's spending/student of $8,909 is less than the state median of $11,331. The school district spending/student has declined by 5% over four school years.

This School District

This State (AZ)

Total Revenue

$27 MM

$12,837 MM

View Data

Total Revenues Trends
Year	Safford Unified District (4218)	Arizona
2023	$27 MM	$4 MM
2022	$27 MM	$4 MM
2021	$27 MM	$4 MM
2020	$27 MM	$4 MM
2019	$26 MM	$4 MM
2018	$22 MM	$4 MM
2017	$23 MM	$4 MM
2016	$22 MM	$3 MM
2015	$25 MM	$3 MM
2014	$19 MM	$3 MM
2012	$17 MM	$3 MM
2011	$22 MM	$3 MM
2010	$25 MM	$3 MM
2009	$23 MM	$2 MM
2008	$21 MM	$2 MM
2007	$22 MM	$2 MM
2006	$18 MM	$2 MM
2005	$20 MM	$2 MM
2004	$18 MM	$2 MM
2003	$16 MM	$2 MM
2002	$17 MM	$2 MM
2001	$16 MM	$1 MM
2000	$16 MM	$8 MM
1999	$15 MM	$2 MM
1998	$14 MM	$2 MM
1997	$13 MM	$7 MM
1996	$13 MM	$6 MM
1995	$12 MM	$6 MM

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Spending

$26 MM

$12,727 MM

View Data

Total Expenditure Trends
Year	Safford Unified District (4218)	Arizona
2023	$26 MM	$4 MM
2022	$26 MM	$4 MM
2021	$26 MM	$4 MM
2020	$26 MM	$4 MM
2019	$28 MM	$4 MM
2018	$24 MM	$4 MM
2017	$24 MM	$3 MM
2016	$22 MM	$3 MM
2015	$22 MM	$2 MM
2014	$23 MM	$3 MM
2012	$20 MM	$3 MM
2011	$20 MM	$2 MM
2010	$22 MM	$2 MM
2009	$22 MM	$2 MM
2008	$22 MM	$2 MM
2007	$25 MM	$2 MM
2006	$20 MM	$2 MM
2005	$19 MM	$2 MM
2004	$18 MM	$1 MM
2003	$16 MM	$1 MM
2002	$19 MM	$1 MM
2001	$18 MM	$2 MM
2000	$15 MM	$8 MM
1999	$17 MM	$2 MM
1998	$15 MM	$2 MM
1997	$12 MM	$6 MM
1996	$12 MM	$6 MM
1995	$12 MM	$6 MM

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Revenue / Student

$9,179

$11,429

View Data

Average Revenue Per Student Trends
Year	Safford Unified District (4218)	Arizona
2023	$9,030	$10,782
2022	$8,900	$10,794
2021	$9,695	$11,986
2020	$8,900	$10,794
2019	$8,506	$11,173
2018	$7,648	$11,763
2017	$7,455	$10,306
2016	$6,911	$9,541
2015	$7,619	$9,449
2014	$5,843	$8,489
2012	$5,537	$9,312
2011	$7,052	$9,958
2010	$7,998	$9,449
2009	$7,312	$9,374
2008	$6,731	$9,689
2007	$7,654	$9,028
2006	$6,535	$7,988
2005	$6,923	$7,640
2004	$6,350	$7,113
2003	$5,637	$6,846
2002	$6,044	$7,000
2001	$5,878	$5,056
2000	$5,708	$26,222
1999	$4,843	$5,976
1998	$4,826	$5,422
1997	$4,300	$15,154
1995	$4,115	$5,429
1992	$4,029	$5,848

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Spending / Student

$8,909

$11,331

View Data

Average Expenditure Per Student Trends
Year	Safford Unified District (4218)	Arizona
2023	$8,764	$10,054
2022	$8,370	$10,562
2021	$9,410	$11,177
2020	$8,370	$10,562
2019	$9,315	$10,609
2018	$8,280	$11,165
2017	$7,631	$9,883
2016	$7,204	$8,430
2015	$6,829	$8,879
2014	$7,145	$8,678
2012	$6,389	$9,270
2011	$6,581	$9,464
2010	$7,169	$8,879
2009	$7,229	$8,323
2008	$7,250	$8,177
2007	$8,670	$7,648
2006	$7,170	$7,012
2005	$6,532	$6,644
2004	$6,154	$6,165
2003	$5,756	$5,701
2002	$6,662	$6,081
2001	$6,397	$6,763
2000	$5,342	$24,897
1999	$5,394	$6,021
1998	$4,846	$5,233
1997	$3,973	$13,894
1995	$3,952	$5,519
1992	$3,474	$5,527

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Best Safford Unified District (4218) Public Schools (2025-26)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)

Location

Quick Facts

Rank: #11.

Dorothy Stinson School

(Math: 40% | Reading: 46%)
:

Top 50%

Add to Compare

2013 S 8th Ave
Safford, AZ 85546
(928) 348-7010

Gr: PK-6 | 563 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 64%

Rank: #22.

Lafe Nelson School

(Math: 39% | Reading: 42%)
:

Top 50%

Add to Compare

1100 S 10th Ave
Safford, AZ 85546
(928) 348-7020

Gr: K-6 | 462 students Student-teacher ratio: 26:1 Minority enrollment: 64%

Rank: #33.

Safford High School

(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 35-39%)
:

Top 50%

Add to Compare

1400 W 11th St
Safford, AZ 85546
(928) 348-7050

Gr: 9-12 | 846 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 60%

Rank: #44.

Ruth Powell Elementary School

(Math: 34% | Reading: 39%)
:

Top 50%

Add to Compare

1041 S 14th Ave
Safford, AZ 85546
(928) 348-7030

Gr: PK-6 | 523 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 59%

Rank: #55.

Mt Graham High School

Alternative School

(Math: ≤20% | Reading: <50%)
:

Top 50%

Add to Compare

300 W Discovery Park Blvd
Safford, AZ 85546
(928) 348-7060

Gr: 9-12 | 90 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 53%

Rank: #66.

Safford Middle School

(Math: 22% | Reading: 35%)
:

Bottom 50%

Add to Compare

698 W 11th St
Safford, AZ 85546
(928) 348-7040

Gr: 7-8 | 411 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 60%

Frequently Asked Questions

How many schools belong to Safford Unified District (4218)?

Safford Unified District (4218) manages 6 public schools serving 2,895 students.

What is the rank of Safford Unified District (4218)?

Safford Unified District (4218) is ranked #244 out of 601 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)?

56% of Safford Unified District (4218) students are Hispanic, 39% 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 23:1, which is higher than the Arizona state average of 18:1.

What is Safford Unified District (4218)'s spending/student ratio?

The school district's spending/student of $8,909 is less than the state median of $11,331. The school district spending/student has declined by 5% over four school years.

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Quick Facts (2025-26)

District size: 6 schools
Grades: PK-12
Enrollment: 2,895 students
Student-Teacher Ratio: 23:1
Minority Enrollment: 61%
: 84% (Top 20% in AZ)
: Top 50%
: 33% (Top 50%)
: 39% (Top 50%)
: 23% (Top 50%)
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), AZ Dept. of Education