The top reported proficiency rate is 29% in Math. The lowest is 23% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Hollinger K-8 School
Hollinger K-8 School is a regular public school in the Tucson Unified District, serving students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade. The school sits in the southern part of Tucson, a major desert city whose economy is anchored by the University of Arizona, Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, and a mix of technology and tourism. Tucson is a sprawling city with a historic downtown core and a strong Mexican and Sonoran food culture. The school’s immediate area is a largely automobile-dependent part of the city, characteristic of Tucson’s wider suburban-style development.
The student body is large for a K-8 school and is predominantly Hispanic. The racial and ethnic composition is heavily weighted toward one demographic group, which shapes the peer environment. Data on the share of students who qualify for free or reduced-price meals were not available, nor were counts of students with an Individualized Education Program or those designated as English learners. Families looking for details on economic or special-education support levels will want to ask the school directly for that information. The school does not have charter or magnet status.
On state assessments, Hollinger’s proficiency rates were below the midpoint when compared to other schools in Pima County in the most recent testing year. For math, rates were reported for grades four and five, while results for third, sixth, seventh, and eighth grades were suppressed, which typically happens when the number of students tested is small enough to potentially identify individuals. Where the data is reportable, the math proficiency rate was roughly a quarter of students in grade four and a similar share in grade five. In English language arts, the reported rates showed around a quarter of third graders, a third of fourth graders, and a quarter of fifth graders meeting proficiency. The eighth-grade ELA rate was lower, at about a seventh of students. Science results were reported only for grade five, where roughly a quarter of students were proficient; eighth-grade science results were suppressed. The overall proficiency index, which averages across tested subjects and grades, placed the school below the midpoint among its county peers. These results point to an area where a parent may want to look into this further with the school to understand the academic support and instructional approaches in place.
The multi-year trend data shows only the most recent year’s figures, with a slight uptick in ELA and math rates compared to the prior year, but the change is very narrow. Because only two data points are available, this does not establish a clear trajectory.
Hollinger does not serve high school grades, so there is no graduation rate to report. That is a standard gap for a school ending at eighth grade, not an indicator of any issue.
The Tucson Unified District, which operates Hollinger, is the largest district in the region and has faced a long-term enrollment decline that has prompted discussions about school utilization and potential closures. The district also remains under a federal desegregation order, which shapes magnet programs, student assignment, and transportation. In late 2024, voters renewed a local override that funds teacher salaries, art, music, physical education, magnet programs, full-day kindergarten, and class-size reduction. This gives the district more budget stability than some others, though the enrollment decline remains a factor that could eventually affect individual school programming or attendance boundaries.
Housing values in the school’s zip code are below the statewide median, and rents have been rising modestly. The national mortgage rate and rent-to-income ratio suggest that buying a home in the area is generally more expensive each month than renting. Families evaluating the financial fit of the neighborhood should consider that home prices here are relatively affordable compared to much of Arizona, but the local housing market has seen a slight year-over-year decline in values.
For a family considering Hollinger, the school offers the continuity of a K-8 setting, which avoids a middle-school transition for students. The academic proficiency data, however, is on the lower side relative to other schools in the county, and a significant portion of results are suppressed, leaving gaps in the full picture. The large, heavily Hispanic student body reflects the surrounding community. The district context of declining enrollment and a desegregation plan may influence which programs and resources are available at the school. This is a school where direct engagement with staff and a visit would be especially useful to gauge whether the academic environment and support structures match a child’s needs.
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