The top reported proficiency rate is 31% in English language arts. The lowest is 24% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Santa Cruz Elementary School
Santa Cruz Elementary serves students from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade as a regular public school within the Maricopa Unified School District, located on the south side of Maricopa. The school is one of several elementary campuses serving a city that has transformed rapidly from farmland into a sprawling bedroom community for the Phoenix metro area. For a school of its grade range, the enrollment is large, drawing from surrounding residential subdivisions that dominate the landscape.
State testing results are available for third through fifth graders in math, English language arts, and science. Across these tested subjects and grades, the share of students meeting proficiency falls below the midpoint when measured against other districts in Pinal County. In each tested grade and subject, a minority of students reached the proficiency bar, with rates that a parent may want to discuss further with the school to understand specific strategies and supports. The data covers a single school year, so it is not possible to see a trend over multiple years. Because the school only goes through sixth grade, there is no graduation rate to report, and no information on chronic absenteeism or discipline was available in the data sources used here.
The student body is diverse. Hispanic students make up the largest share, followed by White students and Black students, with smaller groups of students who identify as two or more races, American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian, and Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander. Data on the share of students qualifying for free or reduced-price meals, receiving special education services, or learning English as a second language was not reported in the available records, so a reader cannot assess the level of economic or learning support need from this profile alone.
Maricopa itself is a fast-growing city that was incorporated relatively recently. Its population has risen dramatically in the past few decades, driven by affordable housing compared to the core of the Phoenix region. The community is car-dependent, with most daily travel requiring a vehicle. Major employers include the Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino, automotive proving grounds for Volkswagen and Nissan, agricultural research centers, and the city government. Civic life centers on the Copper Sky Recreation Complex and Pacana Park rather than a traditional downtown. Housing values in the area are below the statewide typical level, and rents are moderate, which contributes to the area’s appeal for families seeking more space for their money.
Santa Cruz is part of the Maricopa Unified School District, which recently opened a second comprehensive high school, Desert Sunrise High School, to accommodate the district’s growing student population. That expansion gives families with older children a choice between two high school campuses. For elementary-aged children, Santa Cruz is the neighborhood school for its area of the city.
Overall, Santa Cruz Elementary serves a large, diverse student body in a rapidly growing suburban community. Its academic results on state assessments put it in the lower range among Pinal County districts. Families considering this school may want to inquire directly about classroom supports, intervention programs, and how the school addresses the learning needs reflected in those proficiency rates. The broader Maricopa context offers a relatively affordable housing market and significant community investment in recreation and infrastructure, but also a car-dependent layout with little walkability.
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