The top reported proficiency rate is 54% in Math. The lowest is 40% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Palominas Elementary School
Palominas Elementary School serves students in preschool through eighth grade in the unincorporated rural community of Hereford, Arizona, in Cochise County southeast of Sierra Vista. The area is characterized by low-density residential living spread along an eight-mile corridor at the base of the Huachuca Mountains, with no traditional downtown or commercial core. The original townsite that once held a general store, post office, railroad station, and school was abandoned by the 1950s and all structures disappeared by the early 1960s; only concrete foundations and a ballasted rail bed remain. The present-day community blends into the adjacent unincorporated area of Nicksville. Civic anchors are dispersed: a post office sits at the far western end, and the San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area and the Coronado National Memorial provide natural and historic landmarks nearby. Housing values in the area run moderately above the national benchmark, and the typical monthly mortgage costs for a median-priced home exceed the typical rent, reflecting a buyer-oriented market. A parent considering this school should understand that Hereford offers a quiet, spread-out residential setting rather than a walkable or downtown-focused town.
The school itself is a regular public school, not a charter, and is part of the Palominas Elementary School District 49. The enrollment is moderate for a PK-8 campus, with classes across all elementary and middle grades. The student body is predominantly white, with a substantial Hispanic share and small numbers of students from other racial groups. Data on the share of students who qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, receive special education services, or are English learners was not available, so a parent may want to ask the school directly about these aspects of the student population.
Academically, Palominas Elementary posts a proficiency index that places it above the midpoint among districts in Cochise County, indicating solid overall performance relative to its local peers. State testing results for the most recent school year show a mix: some grade-level results are reported, while others are suppressed, likely due to small group sizes that prevent release of exact rates. In math, third-grade proficiency is at a moderate level, while results for grades four through eight were suppressed. In English language arts, reported rates for fourth, sixth, and eighth grades vary, with the higher elementary grades showing a larger share of students meeting proficiency than the middle grades. In science, only the eighth-grade result is reported, and it shows a moderate proficiency rate. The school also has a two-year multi-year trend that shows a stable performance in both math and ELA. Because the school does not serve high school grades, no graduation rate is applicable.
Program offerings, course access, and staffing data were not available in the provided information. Similarly, information about discipline, attendance, and chronic absenteeism was missing. A parent may wish to follow up with the school to learn about extracurriculars, elective offerings at the middle school level, and student support structures.
No recent parent-relevant changes in the district were found in publicly reported sources, so the district appears to be operating without major disruption or reorganization.
Overall, Palominas Elementary School provides a full PK-8 pathway in a quiet, rural community with academic performance that stands somewhat above the typical level among Cochise County districts. The school serves primarily white and Hispanic students, and the area offers no downtown or dense street life. Families looking for a small-town or exurban setting with a single school serving all elementary and middle grades will find this a straightforward option. Those seeking more detailed information about student support services, school climate, or program breadth should reach out to the school administration directly.
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