The top reported proficiency rate is 26% in English language arts. The lowest is 19% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Calabasas School
Calabasas School is a regular public school in Rio Rico, part of the Santa Cruz Valley Unified District, serving students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade. With an enrollment that is heavily concentrated in a single demographic group, this is a school where nearly the entire student body shares a common background. The school itself is large for a K-8 campus, and it sits in a community that is characterized by modest growth and a housing market that is notably more affordable than the state average.
Academically, the state assessment results show a clear picture: proficiency rates are low across every tested subject and grade level. In math, the share of students meeting the state’s proficiency threshold hovers in the low teens and twenties, with an overall combined rate across tested grades and subjects that places the school in the bottom quartile when compared with other districts in Santa Cruz County. In English language arts, proficiency rates run slightly higher, landing in the low-to-mid twenties for most grades, though still indicating that a majority of students are not yet meeting the state standard. Science results follow a similar pattern, with about a fifth of fifth graders and roughly a quarter of eighth graders scoring proficient. These figures represent a significant academic challenge, and any family considering this school should expect to engage directly with the school’s administration about its strategies for improving student outcomes. The data covers only one school year, so there is no trend line to indicate whether the school is improving or declining.
Rio Rico, where the school is located, is an unincorporated community north of the border city of Nogales. It is largely residential and growing at a steady pace, with a population that is overwhelmingly Hispanic. The housing stock is relatively affordable compared with the rest of Arizona, and the largest local employment sectors are public administration, transportation and warehousing, and health care. The school’s address on Frontage Road suggests it is sited along a main corridor rather than in a dense downtown, which is consistent with the area’s dispersed, low-density development. No information was found about parks, libraries, or transit infrastructure in Rio Rico, so families will need to inquire locally about the availability of community amenities.
The district itself, Santa Cruz Valley Unified, did not have any parent-relevant changes such as bond measures, curriculum shifts, or budget overrides that were publicly reported in the recent period. This does not mean the district is static, but it means that no specific developments were found in the search. Families should check directly with the district office for any upcoming plans.
For a family weighing this school, the most salient facts are the academic results and the student composition. The school provides a full K-8 pathway, meaning students can attend from early childhood through the end of middle school without switching campuses. There is no graduation rate to report because the school does not serve high school grades. The school is not a charter and has no magnet status. Data on free or reduced-price lunch eligibility, special education enrollment, and English learner status were missing from the available records, so a family should ask the school directly about the share of students who qualify for support services.
This is a school where the academic proficiency numbers are well below the county median, and the student body is nearly entirely Hispanic. For a family that values a cohesive peer environment and is prepared to work closely with the school to address academic gaps, Calabasas School may be a viable option, especially given the relatively affordable housing in the area. For a family seeking higher average test scores or a more diverse academic profile, it would be important to look further into the school’s specific programs and any targeted interventions it offers. The data alone does not say how the school is responding to its challenges, and that is a conversation a parent would want to have with the principal.
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