The top reported proficiency rate is 41% in English language arts. The lowest is 29% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Ford Elementary
Ford Elementary is a regular public school in Tucson, part of the Tucson Unified District, serving students from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade. It is a neighborhood school in the city’s southeast side, with an enrollment that fits the elementary level. The student body is predominantly Hispanic and White, with a smaller Black population and very few Asian, Native Hawaiian, or multiracial students. Information on the share of students who qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, receive special education services, or are learning English was not available from the data, so a parent may want to ask the school directly about that support context.
State testing results for the 2024-25 school year are sparse. For several grade levels and subjects, proficiency data was suppressed, likely due to small student group sizes. Where results are available, they indicate areas of challenge. In fourth-grade English language arts, a moderate share of students met proficiency. In fifth-grade science, fewer than one in three students scored proficient. Overall proficiency across tested subjects and grades places the school below the midpoint relative to other districts in Pima County. A multi-year trend shows that combined math and English proficiency held roughly steady, but at levels that suggest many students are not yet meeting state benchmarks. Parents looking for a school with strong academic outcomes on standardized tests will want to look into this further with the school to understand its instructional supports and recent improvement efforts.
Ford Elementary is in the southeast part of Tucson, a sprawling desert city that is the state’s second-largest. Tucson’s economy is anchored by the University of Arizona, Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, and a growing technology sector, particularly optics. The school’s zip code carries home values below the state average, and rents have been rising recently, consistent with broader national trends. The area around the school is primarily residential and automobile-dependent, typical for Tucson outside the downtown and university core.
The school’s district, Tucson Unified, is the largest in Arizona and operates under a federal desegregation order, which shapes magnet programs, student assignment, and transportation. Voters approved a renewal of the district’s operating override in late 2024, which funds teacher salaries, art, music, physical education, and class-size reduction. That is a notable stability for families concerned about budget cuts. However, TUSD has been losing enrollment for years, leading to ongoing discussions about school closures or consolidations, which could affect attendance boundaries and school options. This is a district-wide dynamic any family enrolling now should be aware of.
Ford Elementary is a mid-sized neighborhood school in a large, diverse district where academic proficiency is below the county average. It operates in a city with a strong economic anchor but a district that is shrinking. Families considering Ford will want to understand the specific programs and supports the school offers, especially in literacy and math, and stay informed about district-level changes that could affect their child’s school over time.
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