The top reported proficiency rate is 25% in English language arts. The lowest is 24% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Valley Horizon Elementary School
Valley Horizon Elementary School serves students from preschool through sixth grade as a regular public school within the Crane Elementary District in Yuma, Arizona. The school is located on the western side of the city in an area that mixes suburban residential development with the broader agricultural and military economy that defines the region. Yuma itself is a sprawling, car-dependent city where the historic downtown functions as the civic and cultural hub, while most residential and commercial areas stretch across a large footprint. The city’s economy is anchored by agriculture, the nearby Marine Corps Air Station, and seasonal tourism from winter visitors who swell the population temporarily each year.
The student body at Valley Horizon is overwhelmingly Hispanic, representing the large majority of enrollment, with smaller shares of white students and very small numbers of American Indian or Alaska Native, Black, and multiracial students. This demographic composition reflects the surrounding community in this part of Yuma County. Data on the share of students who qualify for free or reduced-price meals, receive special education services, or are classified as English learners were not available in the records reviewed, so a parent may want to ask the school directly about these support structures.
On statewide assessments administered in the most recent school year, the proficiency rates that were reported placed Valley Horizon well below the midpoint for its tested grades. In math, the only grade level for which a rate was not suppressed showed roughly a quarter of students scoring proficient or above. In English language arts, proficiency rates in the two grades with reported results were in the low twenties, while one grade posted a rate just above that range. Science results for fifth grade were suppressed. When combined across all tested subjects and grades, the school’s overall proficiency index falls in the bottom quarter of elementary schools within Yuma County, placing it among the lower-performing schools in the comparison set. Because proficiency data for several grade levels was suppressed due to small group sizes, a parent may want to discuss with the school how performance varies across individual grades and student groups.
No state testing data was available for the preschool through second grade levels, which is expected given that Arizona’s standardized assessments begin in third grade. The school’s graduation rate is not applicable since it serves only elementary grades. Chronic absenteeism data was also not reported, so a parent interested in attendance patterns would need to inquire with the school or district.
The Crane Elementary District, which oversees Valley Horizon, received voter approval in late 2023 for a maintenance and operations budget override that runs for a set period. This publicly reported measure funds smaller class sizes, art, music, physical education, and teacher and staff compensation. That override represents a direct and lasting investment in the classroom experience and program offerings across all district schools, including Valley Horizon. A parent considering this school can expect that the district has made a local commitment to preserving enrichment programs and keeping class sizes manageable, though the school’s academic proficiency numbers remain a soft spot that warrants a conversation with the school about instruction, interventions, and how families are supported in raising achievement.
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