For the 2026 school year, there are 5 public preschools serving 1,686 students in Santa Cruz County, AZ.
The top-ranked public preschools in Santa Cruz County, AZ are Little Red Schoolhouse, Elgin Elementary School and Patagonia Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Santa Cruz County, AZ public preschools have an average math proficiency score of 21% (versus the Arizona public pre school average of 36%), and reading proficiency score of 29% (versus the 40% statewide average). Pre schools in Santa Cruz County have an average ranking of 3/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Arizona public pre schools.
Minority enrollment is 98% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Arizona public preschool average of 68% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Preschools in Santa Cruz County (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
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: #22.
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: #33.
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: #44.
Lincoln Elementary School
(Math: 20% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
652 N Tyler Ave
Nogales, AZ 85621
(520) 287-0870
Nogales, AZ 85621
(520) 287-0870
Gr: PK-5 | 421 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1
Rank: #55.
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%
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 preschools in Santa Cruz County, AZ?
The top-ranked public preschools in Santa Cruz County, AZ include Little Red Schoolhouse, Elgin Elementary School and Patagonia Elementary School.
How many public preschools are located in Santa Cruz County?
4 public preschools are located in Santa Cruz County.
What is the racial composition of students in Santa Cruz County?
Santa Cruz County public preschools minority enrollment is 98% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Arizona public preschools average of 68% (majority Hispanic).
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