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D
Schools in Gila Bend · Gila Bend Unified District

Gila Bend’s public schools score below 87% of Arizona districts on tests and graduation

Math proficiency in Gila Bend’s districts is 7%, below the Arizona average (35%). The grade covers the public school district serving Gila Bend, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Arizona, not nationally.

K–12Where will my kid go?

From Arizona state tests taken in spring 2022, when 96% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.

Reading proficiency
9%
▼ 31 pts vs AZ 40%
2021–22
Math proficiency
7%
▼ 28 pts vs AZ 35%
2021–22
Graduate on time
50–59%
▼ 19–28 pts vs AZ 78%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$11.9K
▼ 4% vs AZ $12.3K
FY2024
Students per teacher
15.0
AZ 17.2 · smaller classes
Schools in town
2
481 students on the public path
In brief

Gila Bend’s schools, in brief

Against towns with similar incomes

Among the 150 Arizona towns with household incomes within a quarter of Gila Bend’s, its schools beat 5%, lower than their 13% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓

Results trail the state

In spring 2022, 9% of tested students were proficient in reading and 7% in math, against 40% and 35% statewide; 96% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓

Graduation

50–59% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 78% across Arizona (the state reports Gila Bend’s rate as a range). Districts ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $11,878 per student, against $12,318 across Arizona (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

One elementary school, then one high school

From grade 9 the district’s path is Gila Bend High School. Enrollment is up 7% since 2020–21. See the path ↓

Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.

The School Grade

What’s behind Gila Bend’s grade

D− Test scoresC Graduation

D: better than 13% of Arizona school districts. Both inputs trail the Arizona average; graduation is the closer of the two to typical.

Arizona school districts we grade (577)Better than 13%
Lower resultsHigher results
Arizona towns with similar household incomes (150)Better than 5%
DC−A fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 248 test results and a graduating class of 39 could put Gila Bend anywhere from D to C−. The tests are from spring 2022, when 96% of Gila Bend’s students in the tested grades sat them (247 in math, 248 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Gila Bend, with each school’s own grade.

The path, start to finish
PK–8Gila Bend ElementaryGila Bend Unified DistrictD
9–12Gila Bend High SchoolGila Bend Unified DistrictD−

Gila Bend’s public schools are run by Gila Bend Unified District. Parts of Gila Bend (15% of its land) are served by Paloma instead. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.

The district

Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.

Gila Bend Unified DistrictGrades PK–12 · 2 schools · 481 students, up 7% since 2020–21 · 15.0 per teacher (AZ 17.2)
$11,878AZ $12,318 · FY2024
D
Test scores · 2021–22

Well below the state in reading

Reading9%
State average 40.4% · 248 students tested
Math7%
State average 34.8% · 247 students tested

Gila Bend vs. its neighbors

Schools grades for the Arizona towns that share Gila Bend’s borders.

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
Gila BendDGila Bend Unified District

Every school in Gila Bend

2 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Arizona’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).

District schools in Gila Bendby address
Gila Bend Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–8
D
309 students15:1Rate it →
Gila Bend High School
High · Grades 6–12
D−
172 students16:1Rate it →

Left off: 1 public program with fewer than 25 students (West-MEC Gila Bend).

Questions about Gila Bend’s schools

Are Gila Bend’s schools good?

On Arizona’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Gila Bend children attend score below 87% of Arizona’s school districts on tests and graduation, a D Schools grade. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 5%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Gila Bend in?

Gila Bend Unified District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 481 students in 2 schools (2024–25). Small parts of Gila Bend are served by Paloma.

Where do Gila Bend kids go to high school?

Gila Bend High School, with 172 students; its own test results earn a D−.

What is Gila Bend’s graduation rate?

50–59% of the class of 2023 in Gila Bend Unified District graduated in four years, against 78% across Arizona.

How much does Gila Bend spend per student?

$11,878 in Gila Bend Unified District (FY2024), against $12,318 across Arizona. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Parents talk

What Gila Bend families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Gila Bend → They have their own page.

School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Arizona. Stars are from neighbors.