The top reported proficiency rate is 65% in Science. The lowest is 53% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Ocotillo Early Learning Elementary School
Ocotillo Early Learning Elementary School serves a distinct purpose within the Sunnyside Unified District. It is a regular public school that serves children from prekindergarten through second grade. The school is located in Tucson, a major desert city that blends a historic downtown core, the University of Arizona campus, and sprawling suburban development. The school’s federal ID is 040817000751.
Because Ocotillo’s grade band ends at second grade, a parent should understand what data is and is not available. State testing results from a prior school year exist for grades three, four, and five, which are grades the school no longer serves. This means the academic performance data on record reflects the school’s former configuration, not its current early-learning focus. In that older data, the share of students scoring proficient or above in math ranged from about the middle of the range to somewhat higher for those tested grades. In English language arts, proficiency rates were higher in third and fourth grade than in fifth grade. In science, the single fourth-grade data point showed a solid proficiency rate. Compared to other schools in Pima County, the school’s overall proficiency index across those older results placed it in the top quartile among districts. Because the school’s grade range changed, these results may not reflect the current student body or instructional program, and the state has not released more recent testing outcomes for the school as it is now configured.
Enrollment data shows a school population that is large for an early-learning center, with the vast majority of students identifying as Hispanic. The remaining students are a mix of white, Black, American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian, and two or more races. Data on the share of students qualifying for free or reduced-price meals, receiving special education services, or classified as English learners was not reported in the available record. A parent may want to ask the school directly about these supports.
The school operates as a regular public school. It is not a charter school. Information on Title I status, magnet status, discipline rates, course access, staffing ratios, and attendance was not available. Without these details, a parent will want to follow up with the district or school office to understand the full picture of student support and school climate.
The district’s total revenue, with portions coming from federal, state, and local sources, was publicly reported in an older fiscal year. No recent strategic priorities, capital plans, or program expansions were found in the brief.
Housing in the area around the school reflects values that are below the statewide median and have seen a modest recent decline. Rental costs follow a similar pattern. These figures place the school in a relatively accessible housing market compared to much of Arizona. The local economy in Tucson is anchored by the University of Arizona, Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, optics and technology industries, and tourism.
For a family with a very young child, what matters most about Ocotillo is what it offers in the early grades. The school covers the years when children typically learn to read, build foundational math skills, and develop classroom routines. There is no testing data that directly reflects how well the current pre-K through second grade program performs. The older, higher-grade results cannot substitute for that. A parent should visit, inquire about the curriculum and early literacy approach, and ask about class sizes and support for children who are learning English or need additional academic help.
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