For the 2026 school year, there are 11 public middle schools serving 3,603 students in Santa Cruz County, AZ.
The top-ranked public middle schools in Santa Cruz County, AZ are Mexicayotl Charter School, Little Red Schoolhouse and Patagonia Montessori School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Santa Cruz County, AZ public middle schools have an average math proficiency score of 24% (versus the Arizona public middle school average of 33%), and reading proficiency score of 35% (versus the 40% statewide average). Middle schools in Santa Cruz County have an average ranking of 6/10, which is in the top 50% of Arizona public middle schools.
Minority enrollment is 95% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Arizona public middle school average of 65% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Middle Schools in Santa Cruz County (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Mexicayotl Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
2059 N Grand Ave
Nogales, AZ 85621
(520) 624-4018
Nogales, AZ 85621
(520) 624-4018
Gr: K-8 | 168 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1
Rank: #22.
Little Red Schoolhouse
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
7 Duquesne Rd
Nogales, AZ 85621
(520) 287-0737
Nogales, AZ 85621
(520) 287-0737
Gr: PK-8 | 131 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #33.
Patagonia Montessori School
Charter School
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
500 N 3rd Ave
Patagonia, AZ 85624
(520) 394-9530
Patagonia, AZ 85624
(520) 394-9530
Gr: K-8 | 33 students Minority enrollment: 61%
Rank: #44.
Elgin Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
23 Upper Elgin Rd
Elgin, AZ 85611
(520) 455-5514
Elgin, AZ 85611
(520) 455-5514
Gr: PK-8 | 118 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: #55.
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: #66.
Patagonia Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
Highway 82
Patagonia, AZ 85624
(520) 394-3000
Patagonia, AZ 85624
(520) 394-3000
Gr: PK-8 | 124 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 77%
Rank: #77.
Montessori De Santa Cruz Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 11-19% | Reading: 50-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
2875 E Frontage Rd
Tubac, AZ 85646
(520) 398-0536
Tubac, AZ 85646
(520) 398-0536
Gr: K-8 | 81 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 69%
Rank: #88.
Coatimundi Middle School
(Math: 20% | Reading: 35%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
490 Avenida Coatimundi
Rio Rico, AZ 85648
(520) 375-8300
Rio Rico, AZ 85648
(520) 375-8300
Gr: 6-8 | 497 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #99.
Calabasas School
(Math: 16% | Reading: 23%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1374 W Frontage Rd
Rio Rico, AZ 85648
(520) 375-8600
Rio Rico, AZ 85648
(520) 375-8600
Gr: PK-8 | 917 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #1010.
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: #1111.
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%
Santa Cruz County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
Aoc-santa Cruz County Juvenile Detention Center (Closed 2023)
Alternative School
1260 N Hohokam Dr
Nogales, AZ 85621
(520) 375-8193
Nogales, AZ 85621
(520) 375-8193
Gr: 3-12
Jail-santa Cruz County Sheriffs Office Elementary School (Closed 2023)
Alternative School
1250 N Hohokam Dr
Nogales, AZ 85628
(520) 761-7869
Nogales, AZ 85628
(520) 761-7869
Gr: 9-12
Nogales Special Programs (Closed 2023)
Special Education School
310 W Plum St
Nogales, AZ 85621
(520) 287-0800
Nogales, AZ 85621
(520) 287-0800
Gr: Inquire with school | 58 students Student-teacher ratio: 2:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
P.o. Box 254
Patagonia, AZ 85624
(520) 394-3000
Patagonia, AZ 85624
(520) 394-3000
Gr: 6-8 | 45 students Minority enrollment: 64%
131 Camino Maricopa
Rio Rico, AZ 85648
(520) 281-8282
Rio Rico, AZ 85648
(520) 281-8282
Gr: PK-5
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public middle schools in Santa Cruz County, AZ?
The top-ranked public middle schools in Santa Cruz County, AZ include Mexicayotl Charter School, Little Red Schoolhouse and Patagonia Montessori School.
How many public middle schools are located in Santa Cruz County?
12 public middle schools are located in Santa Cruz County.
What is the racial composition of students in Santa Cruz County?
Santa Cruz County public middle schools minority enrollment is 95% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Arizona public middle schools average of 65% (majority Hispanic).
Which public middle schools in Santa Cruz County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public middle schools in Santa Cruz County include: Coatimundi Middle School vs. Calabasas School, Calabasas School vs. Coatimundi Middle School, Patagonia Elementary School vs. Patagonia Montessori School
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