Southern Arizona School Letter Grades Show Sharp Swings at Some Pima County Campuses

Arizona has released new school letter grades, and an analysis of Pima County districts by 13 News found sizable changes at some Southern Arizona campuses in just one year. Across the county's districts, 23 K-8 schools fell by at least one letter grade, while 43 moved up.

In Tucson Unified School District, Harold Steele Elementary dropped two letter grades, from a "B" to a "D." Morgan Maxwell slipped from a "C" to a "D." Amelia Maldonado Elementary posted one of the biggest declines in overall score, falling nearly 22 points.

Other campuses made notable gains. Hudlow, Manzo and Vesey elementary schools in TUSD each rose from a "D" to a "B." In the Amphitheater district, Rio Vista Elementary climbed from a "C" to an "A." Sopori Elementary in the Sahuarita district improved from a "D" to a "B."

High schools showed more stability. Of the 29 high schools examined, four improved their letter grade and 24 held steady. One remains under review. None received a lower grade.

In the Marana district, the K-8 results included 10 schools rated "A," three rated "B" and one rated "C." Both of Marana's high schools earned an "A."

Tucson Unified had the widest spread among the K-8 districts: 11 schools earned an "A," 31 a "B," 24 a "C" and two a "D," while four were unrated. Amphitheater had nine "A" schools, seven "B" schools and one "C." Vail recorded 14 "A" schools and one "B," and Catalina Foothills had six "A" schools.

The remaining K-8 districts were as follows. Flowing Wells had three "A" schools and four "B" schools. Sahuarita had four "B" schools. Sunnyside had one "A," eight "B" and seven "C" schools. Tanque Verde had two "A" schools and one "B."

Among high schools, TUSD had five "A" schools, five "B" schools and one that is unrated. Amphitheater had two "A" schools and one "B." Sunnyside had one "A" and one "B." Sahuarita had two "A" schools, and Catalina Foothills, Flowing Wells, Tanque Verde each had one "A" school. Vail had five "A" schools.

This is the final year Arizona will use its current grading formula. After 13 News's "Bending the Curve" investigation and a report from the Arizona Auditor General, the State Board of Education voted to raise the standards schools must meet to earn each letter grade. The new standards take effect next school year, and the first grades under the revised system are scheduled for release in October 2027.