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Rio Rico, Arizona and San Cayetano MtsPhoto: Elnogalense · CC BY-SA 4.0
B−
Schools in Rio Rico · Patagonia Union High School District, Santa Cruz Valley Unified District

Rio Rico’s public schools outscore 54% of Arizona districts

90% of Rio Rico’s students graduate on time, above the Arizona average (78%). The grade covers the public school district serving Rio Rico, 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.

#78of 139 Arizona townsK–12Where will my kid go?

From Arizona state tests taken in spring 2022, when 98% 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
29%
▼ 11 pts vs AZ 40%
2021–22
Math proficiency
20%
▼ 15 pts vs AZ 35%
2021–22
Graduate on time
90%
▲ 12 pts vs AZ 78%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$10.2K
▼ 17% vs AZ $12.3K
FY2024 · Santa Cruz Valley Unified District
Students per teacher
21.7
AZ 17.2 · larger classes
Schools in town
5
3,612 students on the public path
In brief

Rio Rico’s schools, in brief

Results trail the state

In spring 2022, 29% of tested students were proficient in reading and 20% in math, against 40% and 35% statewide; 98% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓

Graduation

90% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 78% across Arizona. Districts ↓

Spending and class size

Patagonia Union High spends $29,625 per student and Santa Cruz Valley Unified District $10,243, against $12,318 across Arizona (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓

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 Rio Rico’s grade

C Test scoresB+ Graduation

B−: better than 54% of Arizona school districts, #78 of 139 Arizona towns. Graduation is above the Arizona average; test scores are below it.

Arizona school districts we grade (577)Better than 54%
Lower resultsHigher results
Arizona towns with similar household incomes (168)Better than 58%
B−BA fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 1,806 test results and a graduating class of 351 could put Rio Rico anywhere from B− to B. The tests are from spring 2022, when 98% of Rio Rico’s students in the tested grades sat them (1,808 in math, 1,803 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

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

The path, start to finish
K–53 elementary schoolsDepends on your addressC− to C
6–82 middle schoolsDepends on your addressC to C+
9–12Rio Rico High SchoolSanta Cruz Valley Unified DistrictC

Rio Rico runs its own schools through grade 12 (Santa Cruz Valley Unified District). From grade 9, students attend the Patagonia Union High School District, shared with Patagonia. Parts of Rio Rico (4% and 4% of its land) are served by Patagonia Elementary District and Santa Cruz Elementary District instead. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.

Two districts serve Rio Rico

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

Patagonia Union High School DistrictGrades 9–12 · 1 schools · 71 students, down 11% since 2020–21 · 7.5 per teacher (AZ 17.2)
$29,625AZ $12,318 · FY2024
Santa Cruz Valley Unified DistrictGrades PK–12 · 5 schools · 3,612 students, up 3% since 2020–21 · 22.6 per teacher (AZ 17.2)
$10,243AZ $12,318 · FY2024
B−
Test scores · 2021–22

Well below the state in reading

Reading · 9–12, Patagonia Union High School District25%
State average 40.4% · 15 students tested · the state reports 0–50%
Math · 9–12, Patagonia Union High School District25%
State average 34.8% · 15 students tested · the state reports 0–50%
Reading · PK–12, Santa Cruz Valley Unified District29%
State average 40.4% · 1803 students tested
Math · PK–12, Santa Cruz Valley Unified District20%
State average 34.8% · 1808 students tested

Rio Rico vs. its neighbors

Schools grades for the Arizona towns that share Rio Rico’s borders.

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
Rio RicoB−Santa Cruz Valley Unified District PK–12 · Patagonia Union High 9–12

Every school in Rio Rico

5 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 Rio Ricoby address
Calabasas School
Elementary · Grades PK–8
C
917 students22:1Rate it →
Mountain View School
Elementary · Grades K–5
C−
406 students19:1Rate it →
San Cayetano Elementary School
Elementary · Grades K–5
C
395 students20:1Rate it →
Coatimundi Middle School
Middle · Grades 6–8
C+
497 students23:1Rate it →
Rio Rico High School
High · Grades 9–12
C
1,397 students25:1Rate it →

Left off: 2 public programs with fewer than 25 students (PCJTED - Rio Rico High School and Santa Cruz Valley Digital Learning Program).

Questions about Rio Rico’s schools

Are Rio Rico’s schools good?

They sit near the middle of Arizona: the public schools Rio Rico children attend outscore 54% of Arizona’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B− Schools grade, #78 of 139 Arizona towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 58%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Rio Rico in?

Two districts: Santa Cruz Valley Unified District runs grades PK–12, and Patagonia Union High School District runs grades 9–12, shared with Patagonia.

Where do Rio Rico kids go to high school?

Rio Rico High School, with 1,397 students; its own test results earn a C.

What is Rio Rico’s graduation rate?

90% of the class of 2023 in Santa Cruz Valley Unified District graduated in four years, against 78% across Arizona.

How much does Rio Rico spend per student?

$29,625 in Patagonia Union High School District and $10,243 in Santa Cruz Valley Unified District (FY2024), against $12,318 across Arizona. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Parents talk

What Rio Rico families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Rio Rico → 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.