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Carden of Tucson

Public, Charter Grades K-8

Summary

Carden of Tucson is a public charter elementary school serving grades K-8 in Tucson, Arizona, with a relatively small student population of 61 as of the 2022-2023 school year. The school has seen a shift in its racial demographics, with the percentage of White students decreasing from 72% in 2020-2021 to 44% in 2022-2023, while the percentage of Hispanic students has increased from 22% to 52% during the same period.

Carden of Tucson has shown mixed academic performance compared to the state and nearby schools. While the school had higher proficiency rates than the state average in 8th grade English Language Arts (75% vs. 37%) and 8th grade Mathematics (75% vs. 27%), it struggled in other grade levels, with lower proficiency rates than the state in 3rd grade Mathematics (9% vs. 43%) and 7th grade English Language Arts (14% vs. 42%). The school's statewide ranking has fluctuated over the years, ranging from a high of 248 out of 1,000 Arizona elementary schools in 2021-2022 to a low of 589 out of 1,245 in 2022-2023, suggesting inconsistent performance. Carden of Tucson's performance also varies significantly across different student subgroups, with the school ranking 404 out of 1,216 Arizona elementary schools for male students, but only 612 out of 1,219 for female students in the 2022-2023 school year. Additionally, the school struggled with its special education students, ranking 1,020 out of 1,201 Arizona elementary schools in the 2020-2021 school year.

Compared to nearby schools in the Flowing Wells Unified District and Amphitheater Unified District, Carden of Tucson's performance is mixed, with the school outperforming some nearby schools in certain grade levels and subjects, but struggling in others. The school's changing racial demographics and inconsistent performance across different student subgroups suggest areas for the school's administration to focus on in order to improve overall academic outcomes and better serve its diverse student population.

Students ?

0.0

Student/teacher ratio ?

Free/discounted lunch ?

5260 N Royal Palm Dr
Tucson, AZ 85705-1148

(520) 293-6661

District: Carden of Tucson Inc.

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:

49.1%

White:

42.1%

Two or more races:

5.3%

See top rated Arizona public schools

Compare Carden of Tucson to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▼ Ranking trend: Declining — 71st percentile in 2011 → 53rd in 2023

Worth a look

!Ranking has slipped — down 18 percentile points since 2011

!Some student groups rank well below the school's overall statewide standing

Students meeting standards (2022-2023) ?

This school39%

District avg39%

Arizona avg37%

Not ranked this year

Carden of Tucson did not have enough recent test-score data to be ranked. Check the trend below for past years.

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Elementary school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2023	46.6	589 of 1245	52.7%	★★★☆☆
2022	70.6	248 of 1000	75.2%	★★★★☆
2021	54.1	497 of 1226	59.5%	★★★☆☆
2018	46.0	530 of 1109	52.2%	★★★☆☆
2017	21.9	875 of 1106	20.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2016	50.8	480 of 1079	55.5%	★★★☆☆
2014	60.1	440 of 1079	59.2%	★★★☆☆
2013	71.5	313 of 1158	73.0%	★★★★☆
2012	77.2	240 of 1141	79.0%	★★★★☆
2011	71.2	312 of 1075	71.0%	★★★★☆
2010	70.9	325 of 1090	70.2%	★★★★☆
2009	65.7	389 of 1062	63.4%	★★★☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2023	43.4	612 of 1219	49.8%	★★☆☆☆
2022	29.3	611 of 824	25.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	45.4	593 of 1219	51.4%	★★★☆☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2023	60.6	384 of 1170	67.2%	★★★☆☆
2021	60.1	378 of 1198	68.4%	★★★☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2023	62.7	404 of 1216	66.8%	★★★☆☆
2021	51.7	511 of 1220	58.1%	★★★☆☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2021	25.4	1020 of 1201	15.1%	★☆☆☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2023	37.5	642 of 1024	37.3%	★★☆☆☆
2022	38.2	528 of 800	34.0%	★★☆☆☆
2021	35.9	783 of 1161	32.6%	★★☆☆☆

Middle school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2023	63.4	250 of 854	70.7%	★★★★☆
2022	94.7	21 of 605	96.5%	★★★★★
2021	69.9	199 of 832	76.1%	★★★★☆
2018	58.9	245 of 711	65.5%	★★★☆☆
2017	71.7	163 of 695	76.5%	★★★★☆
2016	89.9	52 of 677	92.3%	★★★★★
2014	76.9	157 of 690	77.2%	★★★★☆
2013	64.5	253 of 787	67.9%	★★★☆☆
2012	81.1	106 of 772	86.3%	★★★★☆
2011	80.1	118 of 685	82.8%	★★★★☆
2010	87.2	59 of 692	91.5%	★★★★★
2009	87.4	53 of 663	92.0%	★★★★★

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2023	62.2	239 of 806	70.3%	★★★★☆
2021	79.1	129 of 820	84.3%	★★★★☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2023	92.6	27 of 760	96.4%	★★★★★
2021	46.3	337 of 802	58.0%	★★★☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2022	92.2	22 of 476	95.4%	★★★★★
2021	35.4	469 of 818	42.7%	★★☆☆☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2021	50.9	251 of 789	68.2%	★★★☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2023	24.6	539 of 675	20.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	62.3	247 of 780	68.3%	★★★☆☆

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

Elementary school

Hispanic (2023)67th percentile+14 vs school

Male (2023)67th percentile+14 vs school

Female (2023)50th percentile-3 vs school

White (2023)37th percentile-15 vs school

Special Education (2021)15th percentile-44 vs school

Middle school

Hispanic (2023)96th percentile+26 vs school

Male (2022)95th percentile~ school

Female (2023)70th percentile~ school

Special Education (2021)68th percentile-8 vs school

White (2023)20th percentile-51 vs school

By subject vs Arizona (2022-2023) ?

English Language Arts45%+5 vs state

Science40%+9 vs state

Mathematics30%-4 vs state

4.5

2 ratings · 1 written review

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What people are saying

by a parent
Monday, July 25, 2011

Carden is the best elementary and middle school in Tucson--public or private. Class size capped at 16!!!! This is a free charter school. Amazing academics in supportive environment (no mean girls or bullies here--this kind of behavior is not tolerated). 2011-2012 School Year--Carden rarely has openings; but few spots opened up at the last minute this year (Kinder=1 opening; 1st=3 openings; 2nd=1 openings; 4th-3 openings; 7th=1 openings; 8th=3 openings). Call (293-6661) school starts today (7/25/11), don't worry about starting a little late. Close Quote

Schools Near Carden of Tucson

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2025)				Ranking (2024)				AASA English Language Arts (2025)					AASA Mathematics (2025)				AzSCI Science (2025)		Per Pupil Expenditures (2022)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	SchoolDigger Rating (2025)	Average Standard Score (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	Rank Change from Previous Year	AASA English Language Arts 3rd Grade	AASA English Language Arts 4th Grade	AASA English Language Arts 5th Grade	AASA English Language Arts 6th Grade	AASA English Language Arts 8th Grade	AASA Mathematics 3rd Grade	AASA Mathematics 4th Grade	AASA Mathematics 5th Grade	AASA Mathematics 6th Grade	AzSCI Science 5th Grade	AzSCI Science 8th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures: Total	Personnel Spending from Federal Funds	Non-Personnel Spending from Federal Funds	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Personnel Spending from State and Local Funds	Non-Personnel from State and Local Funds	Sub-total Spending from State and Local Funds
Carden of Tucson	Public, Charter	K-8	5260 N Royal Palm Dr	Tucson	85705	Pima County	Carden of Tucson Inc.	Yes	(n/a)	No	No	(520) 293-6661	57				24 (42.1%)	2 (3.5%)	28 (49.1%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (5.3%)								(n/a)													$00			$00
Laguna Elementary School	Public	K-6	5001 N Shannon Rd	Tucson	85705	Pima County	Flowing Wells Unified District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(520) 696-8450	410	28	14.6		69 (16.8%)	20 (4.9%)	306 (74.6%)	0 (0.0%)	9 (2.2%)	1 (0.2%)	5 (1.2%)	27.1	594^th of 909 public elementary schools	34.7%					(n/a)	25.0	38.0		42.0		26.0						$9,142	$1,039	$896	$2,974	$7,337		$7,207
Centennial Elementary School	Public	K-6	2200 W Wetmore Rd	Tucson	85705	Pima County	Flowing Wells Unified District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(520) 696-8200	434	30	14.4		98 (22.6%)	5 (1.2%)	314 (72.4%)	4 (0.9%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	12 (2.8%)	28.3	577^th of 909 public elementary schools	36.5%		25.3	627^th of 912 public elementary schools	31.3%	50	38.0	37.0	25.0	36.0		35.0	28.0					$7,664	$691	$821	$2,203	$6,436		$6,152
Lulu Walker School	Public	PK, KG-5	1750 W Roller Coaster Rd	Tucson	85704	Pima County	Amphitheater Unified District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(520) 696-6517	355	25	13.9		87 (24.5%)	20 (5.6%)	214 (60.3%)	17 (4.8%)	7 (2.0%)	1 (0.3%)	9 (2.5%)	44.8	440^th of 909 public elementary schools	51.6%		45	439^th of 912 public elementary schools	51.9%	1	39.0	50.0	26.0			44.0	52.0	38.0					$00			$00
J Robert Hendricks Elementary School	Public	K-6	3400 W Orange Grove Rd	Tucson	85741	Pima County	Flowing Wells Unified District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(520) 696-8400	457	34	13.5		142 (31.1%)	3 (0.7%)	278 (60.8%)	7 (1.5%)	3 (0.7%)	4 (0.9%)	20 (4.4%)	53	362^nd of 909 public elementary schools	60.2%		51.7	395^th of 912 public elementary schools	56.7%	33	49.0	58.0	47.0	44.0		36.0	60.0	30.0	29.0	45.0		$7,415	$910	$817	$2,636	$5,986		$5,689
Homer Davis Elementary School	Public	K-6	4250 N Romero Rd	Tucson	85705	Pima County	Flowing Wells Unified District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(520) 696-8250	403	26	15.6		59 (14.6%)	8 (2.0%)	334 (82.9%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)								(n/a)	21.0					25.0						$8,117	$1,108	$844	$3,061	$6,345		$6,164
Robert Richardson Elementary School	Public	K-6	6901 N Camino De La Tierra	Tucson	85741	Pima County	Flowing Wells Unified District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(520) 696-8500	286	20	14.6		114 (39.9%)	8 (2.8%)	155 (54.2%)	1 (0.3%)	2 (0.7%)	0 (0.0%)	6 (2.1%)	71.5	240^th of 909 public elementary schools	73.6%		67.1	270^th of 912 public elementary schools	70.4%	30	42.0	73.0	54.0	62.0		50.0	54.0	54.0	61.0	42.0		$7,082	$716	$822	$2,255	$5,887		$5,544
Marion Donaldson Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	2040 W Omar Dr	Tucson	85704	Pima County	Amphitheater Unified District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(520) 696-6160	212	20	10.6		72 (34.0%)	11 (5.2%)	111 (52.4%)	3 (1.4%)	2 (0.9%)	0 (0.0%)	13 (6.1%)	35.3	510^th of 909 public elementary schools	43.9%		28.1	595^th of 912 public elementary schools	34.8%	85	36.0	46.0				30.0							$00			$00
Robins Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-8	3939 N Magnetite Ln	Tucson	85745	Pima County	Tucson Unified District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(520) 908-4300	437	27	16.1		65 (14.9%)	14 (3.2%)	321 (73.5%)	15 (3.4%)	5 (1.1%)	3 (0.7%)	14 (3.2%)	38.5	478^th of 909 public elementary schools	47.4%		34.1	534^th of 912 public elementary schools	41.4%	56		52.0	30.0	32.0	24.0	30.0	50.0	39.0		34.0	19.0		$00			$00
Academy Del Sol	Public, Charter	K-8	732 W Roger Rd	Tucson	85705	Pima County	Academy Del Sol Inc.	Yes	(n/a)	No	No	(520) 325-2800	171				34 (19.9%)	14 (8.2%)	115 (67.3%)	1 (0.6%)	6 (3.5%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.6%)								(n/a)													$00			$00

Frequently Asked Questions about Carden of Tucson

What district is Carden of Tucson in?

Carden of Tucson Inc.

How many students attend Carden of Tucson?

In the 2024-25 school year, 57 students attended Carden of Tucson.

What is the racial makeup of Carden of Tucson?

Students at Carden of Tucson are 49% Hispanic, 42% White, 5% Two or more races, 4% African American.

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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Arizona Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.