The top reported proficiency rate is 27% in English language arts. The lowest is 23% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on W F Killip Elementary School
W F Killip Elementary School is a regular public school in Flagstaff, Arizona, serving pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. It is part of the Flagstaff Unified School District. The school sits on Bonito Street in a city that combines residential neighborhoods, a university presence, tourism, government research facilities, and distribution industry. Flagstaff’s historic downtown, centered on Heritage Square with its restored sandstone buildings, is a short distance away. Northern Arizona University is a major anchor, and the city’s economy also draws on the U.S. Geological Survey, the U.S. Naval Observatory Flagstaff Station, and employers like Nestlé Purina PetCare. Tourism is strong, fed by proximity to the Grand Canyon, Oak Creek Canyon, and the Arizona Snowbowl. The broader metro area includes all of Coconino County, and the city has been experiencing drought conditions that constrain growth.
The district offers families a range of educational options. Flagstaff Unified has expanded magnet programs, including a bilingual elementary, an arts and science magnet, and technology and engineering academies at the middle and high school levels. High school students also have access to dual-enrollment classes and career and technical education. The district has sought voter approval for bond and override measures to support school funding and facilities, making local property tax decisions directly relevant to residents.
Killip’s student body is diverse. The largest group of students is Hispanic, followed by a substantial population of American Indian or Alaska Native students. White students and students of two or more races make up smaller shares. The school’s enrollment is moderate for an elementary, with students spread across the grade levels from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade.
State testing data from the 2024-2025 school year is only partly reported. For grade four, reading proficiency was below the midpoint of schools across the state, and math proficiency was lower still. Results for third and fifth grades were suppressed, as were the fifth-grade science results. The overall proficiency picture across the tested subjects and grades places Killip in the bottom quarter when compared with districts in Coconino County. A parent considering this school may want to ask the school for more detail on how its curriculum and supports address these outcomes. Other indicators that would round out the picture, such as information on students receiving free or reduced-price meals, students with disabilities, or English learner status, were not available in the data.
Flagstaff’s housing market reflects its desirability as a place to live. Home values sit above the national median, and rents are similarly elevated, making affordability a consideration for many families. The city’s walkable core is concentrated downtown and near the university campus; much of the rest of the city is auto-dependent.
Killip Elementary serves a diverse community in a city with many cultural and economic assets. The academic proficiency data available shows room for improvement, and families will want to seek out the school’s own information on instruction, support services, and student progress to get the full picture.
See more original research from School Decision →