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Sam Hughes Elementary

Q: Is Sam Hughes Elementary a good school?

Sam Hughes Elementary ranks 189 th of 900 Arizona elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

Public Grades PK, KG-5

189^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 900 Arizona Elementary Schools

Better than 79% of Arizona elementary schools

Summary

Sam Hughes Elementary serves 365 students in prekindergarten through fifth grade in Tucson’s Tucson Unified District. Its latest results show a clear academic strength: 61% of students were proficient in English language arts (ELA) and 56% in math, the highest results among nearby schools with reported all-grades scores.

The school’s results are well above district and state figures: ELA proficiency was 61%, compared with 29% districtwide and 41% statewide; math was 56%, compared with 21% districtwide and 33% statewide. Fifth-grade science was also especially strong: 75% proficient in 2024–25, versus 24% in the district and 34% statewide; that was 38 points above nearby Borton Primary Magnet School. Still, Sam Hughes does not lead every nearby grade-level comparison. For example, its third-grade ELA result was 50%, compared with 52% at Miles-Exploratory Learning Center, and its fifth-grade results were also below Miles in both ELA and math.

Science proficiency has fluctuated rather than climbed steadily, moving from 73% in 2022–23 to 62% in 2023–24 and 75% in 2024–25. SchoolDigger ranked Sam Hughes at the 79th percentile with four stars in 2025–26, the highest current ranking among nearby schools with reported results, but below its 91st-percentile standing in 2022–23. Its 2024–25 student-teacher ratio was 17.7, higher than the 8.8-to-15.8 range among nearby schools with reported ratios; its free/reduced-lunch rate was 36% in 2022–23. SchoolDigger’s statewide effectiveness ranking for female students fell from the 86th percentile in 2023–24 to the 65th in 2025–26, below the school’s overall 79th percentile. Its ranking for Hispanic students also fell sharply, from the 91st percentile in 2024–25 to the 67th in 2025–26. ELA and math results are available for only one year, and no comparable nearby lunch-rate figures were supplied.

365

Students ?

17.7

Student/teacher ratio ?

27.4%

Directly certified for free meals (2024-25) ?

700 N Wilson Ave
Tucson, AZ 85719-5148

(520) 232-7400

District: Tucson Unified District

Students who attend Sam Hughes Elementary usually attend:

Middle:	Mansfeld Middle Magnet School
High:	Tucson Magnet High School
	University High School
Alternative:	Tucson Unified Virtual Academy

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:

46.0%

White:

40.8%

Two or more races:

6.8%

See top rated Arizona elementary schools

Compare Sam Hughes Elementary to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▼ Ranking trend: Declining — 92nd percentile in 2016 → 79th in 2026

Strengths

✓Test scores above the Arizona average (59% vs 37% meeting standards)

✓Ranks in the top 21% of Arizona elementary schools

✓Among the top-ranked schools in Tucson Unified District

Worth a look

!Ranking has slipped — down 13 percentile points since 2016

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

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school59%

District avg25%

Arizona avg37%

189^th of 900

Arizona public elementary schools ?

Top 21%▼ down 13 pts since 2016

From top 8% (2016) to top 21% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Arizona Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

3^rd of 30Elementary Schools in the Tucson Unified District

200^th of 267Tucson Unified District among Arizona districts

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

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2026	75.6	189 of 900	79.0%	★★★★☆
2025	84.0	126 of 909	86.1%	★★★★☆
2024	85.2	124 of 912	86.4%	★★★★☆
2023	90.3	114 of 1245	90.8%	★★★★★
2022	83.0	127 of 1000	87.3%	★★★★☆
2021	82.5	213 of 1226	82.6%	★★★★☆
2019	81.7	181 of 1039	82.6%	★★★★☆
2018	89.1	107 of 1109	90.4%	★★★★★
2017	92.7	64 of 1106	94.2%	★★★★★
2016	90.6	82 of 1079	92.4%	★★★★★
2015	85.9	111 of 955	88.4%	★★★★☆
2014	74.2	280 of 1079	74.1%	★★★★☆
2013	70.0	328 of 1158	71.7%	★★★★☆
2012	78.1	228 of 1141	80.0%	★★★★☆
2011	79.4	218 of 1075	79.7%	★★★★☆
2010	72.8	293 of 1090	73.1%	★★★★☆
2009	80.3	190 of 1062	82.1%	★★★★☆

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2023	83.3	41 of 607	93.2%	★★★★★
2022	62.6	108 of 289	62.6%	★★★☆☆
2021	98.9	2 of 895	99.8%	★★★★★

Asian

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2021	85.2	22 of 620	96.5%	★★★★★

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2026	60.7	200 of 579	65.5%	★★★☆☆
2025	70.5	144 of 589	75.6%	★★★★☆
2024	78.9	86 of 602	85.7%	★★★★☆
2023	87.1	131 of 1219	89.3%	★★★★☆
2022	74.8	163 of 824	80.2%	★★★★☆
2021	82.6	196 of 1219	83.9%	★★★★☆
2019	78.7	147 of 862	82.9%	★★★★☆
2018	88.0	101 of 1023	90.1%	★★★★★

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2026	62.3	166 of 500	66.8%	★★★☆☆
2025	88.6	46 of 496	90.7%	★★★★★
2024	77.9	94 of 486	80.7%	★★★★☆
2023	86.1	100 of 1170	91.5%	★★★★★
2022	77.1	132 of 716	81.6%	★★★★☆
2021	75.7	191 of 1198	84.1%	★★★★☆
2019	83.0	104 of 709	85.3%	★★★★☆
2018	90.0	67 of 911	92.6%	★★★★★

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2026	69.0	127 of 529	76.0%	★★★★☆
2025	78.2	86 of 549	84.3%	★★★★☆
2023	78.8	141 of 1116	87.4%	★★★★☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2026	63.1	188 of 591	68.2%	★★★☆☆
2025	78.0	99 of 626	84.2%	★★★★☆
2024	77.6	105 of 628	83.3%	★★★★☆
2023	90.1	101 of 1216	91.7%	★★★★★
2022	79.4	118 of 830	85.8%	★★★★☆
2021	79.0	229 of 1220	81.2%	★★★★☆
2019	74.4	198 of 850	76.7%	★★★★☆
2018	89.6	91 of 1032	91.2%	★★★★★

Multi-racial

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2023	48.1	328 of 617	46.8%	★★☆☆☆
2022	74.5	64 of 444	85.6%	★★★★☆
2021	57.8	345 of 1027	66.4%	★★★☆☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2023	96.7	8 of 820	99.0%	★★★★★
2022	50.8	88 of 145	39.3%	★★☆☆☆
2021	76.5	94 of 1201	92.2%	★★★★★

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2026	85.9	37 of 437	91.5%	★★★★★
2025	87.2	22 of 465	95.3%	★★★★★
2024	80.7	56 of 486	88.5%	★★★★☆
2023	89.8	42 of 1024	95.9%	★★★★★
2022	90.9	17 of 800	97.9%	★★★★★
2021	89.4	38 of 1161	96.7%	★★★★★
2019	78.9	83 of 595	86.1%	★★★★☆
2018	86.6	59 of 720	91.8%	★★★★★

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)

Special Education (2023)99th percentile+8 vs school

Asian (2021)96th percentile+14 vs school

African American (2023)93rd percentile~ school

White (2026)92nd percentile+13 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)76th percentile-3 vs school

Male (2026)68th percentile-11 vs school

Hispanic (2026)67th percentile-12 vs school

Female (2026)65th percentile-14 vs school

Multi-racial (2023)47th percentile-44 vs school

By subject vs Arizona (2025-2026) ?

English Language Arts61%+20 vs state

Mathematics56%+23 vs state

5.0

1 rating · 1 written review

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What people are saying

by a teacher
Monday, February 16, 2009

Sam Hughes is a very small, caring environment. The school is over 80 years old and has a long history of being an excellent school. The parents are very supportive. Teachers work very hard to make the school a great place to learn. We have Chess, PE, Opening Minds Through the Arts, and great after school classes. I highly recommend Sam Hughes! Close Quote

Schools Near Sam Hughes Elementary

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Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

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

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2026)				Ranking (2025)				AASA English Language Arts (2026)							AASA Mathematics (2026)							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	Directly certified (2024-25)	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2026)	Statewide Rank (2026)	State Percentile (2026)	SchoolDigger Rating (2026)	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	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 7th Grade	AASA English Language Arts 8th Grade	AASA English Language Arts All Grades	AASA Mathematics 3rd Grade	AASA Mathematics 4th Grade	AASA Mathematics 5th Grade	AASA Mathematics 6th Grade	AASA Mathematics 7th Grade	AASA Mathematics 8th Grade	AASA Mathematics All Grades	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
Sam Hughes Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	700 N Wilson Ave	Tucson	85719	Pima County	Tucson Unified District	No	(n/a)	No	No	(520) 232-7400	365	21	17.7	27.4%	149 (40.8%)	13 (3.6%)	168 (46.0%)	8 (2.2%)	2 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	25 (6.8%)	75.6	189^th of 900 public elementary schools	79.0%		84	126^th of 909 public elementary schools	86.1%	63	50.0	69.0	66.0				61.0	50.0	61.0	57.0				56.0		$00			$00
Blenman Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	1695 N Country Club Rd	Tucson	85716	Pima County	Tucson Unified District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(520) 232-6500	317	20	15.8	77.0%	37 (11.7%)	63 (19.9%)	155 (48.9%)	19 (6.0%)	9 (2.8%)	11 (3.5%)	23 (7.3%)	13.1	822^nd of 900 public elementary schools	8.7%					(n/a)		24.0					19.0		25.0	26.0				22.0		$00			$00
Miles-Exploratory Learning Center	Public	PK, KG-8	1400 E Broadway Blvd	Tucson	85719	Pima County	Tucson Unified District	No	(n/a)	No	No	(520) 225-2200	285	30	9.4	37.2%	72 (25.3%)	7 (2.5%)	175 (61.4%)	5 (1.8%)	9 (3.2%)	1 (0.4%)	16 (5.6%)	65.5	277^th of 900 public elementary schools	69.2%		72.4	229^th of 909 public elementary schools	74.8%	48	52.0	47.0	71.0	57.0			47.0		39.0	62.0				30.0		$00			$00
Robison Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	2745 E 18th St	Tucson	85716	Pima County	Tucson Unified District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(520) 232-7800	247	20	12.5	65.6%	36 (14.6%)	11 (4.5%)	182 (73.7%)	5 (2.0%)	8 (3.2%)	1 (0.4%)	4 (1.6%)								(n/a)							23.0							20.0		$00			$00
Highland Free School	Public, Charter	K-6	510 S Highland Ave	Tucson	85719	Pima County	Highland Free School	Yes	(n/a)	No	Yes	(520) 623-0104	31	3	10.3	—	11 (35.5%)	4 (12.9%)	12 (38.7%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (12.9%)								(n/a)																$00			$00
Roskruge Bilingual Magnet Middle School	Public	PK, KG-8	501 E 6th St	Tucson	85705	Pima County	Tucson Unified District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(520) 225-2900	563	40	13.9	51.5%	49 (8.7%)	6 (1.1%)	491 (87.2%)	1 (0.2%)	9 (1.6%)	0 (0.0%)	7 (1.2%)	25.2	618^th of 900 public elementary schools	31.3%		22.8	661^st of 909 public elementary schools	27.3%	43	35.0	28.0		38.0	42.0	37.0	36.0	39.0		36.0	13.0	13.0		17.0		$00			$00
Howell Peter Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	401 N Irving Ave	Tucson	85711	Pima County	Tucson Unified District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(520) 232-7200	237	23	10.5	69.2%	62 (26.2%)	28 (11.8%)	106 (44.7%)	7 (3.0%)	15 (6.3%)	4 (1.7%)	15 (6.3%)								(n/a)							22.0							20.0		$00			$00
Safford K-8 School	Public	PK, KG-8	200 E 13th St	Tucson	85701	Pima County	Tucson Unified District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(520) 225-3000	318	26	12.3	75.8%	17 (5.3%)	26 (8.2%)	261 (82.1%)	0 (0.0%)	12 (3.8%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.6%)								(n/a)							14.0							6.0		$00			$00
Mexicayotl Academy	Public, Charter	K-8	667 N 7th Ave	Tucson	85705	Pima County	Mexicayotl Academy Inc.	Yes	(n/a)	No	Yes	(520) 624-4018	41	3	13.6	56.1%	3 (7.3%)	1 (2.4%)	34 (82.9%)	2 (4.9%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (2.4%)								(n/a)															$17,850	$1,778	$127	$3,684	$12,333	$3,611	$15,945
Cragin Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	2945 N Tucson Blvd	Tucson	85716	Pima County	Tucson Unified District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(520) 232-6700	222	21	10.6	71.2%	43 (19.4%)	35 (15.8%)	116 (52.3%)	1 (0.5%)	11 (5.0%)	8 (3.6%)	8 (3.6%)								(n/a)							19.0									$00			$00

Frequently Asked Questions about Sam Hughes Elementary

What district is Sam Hughes Elementary in?

Tucson Unified District

What is the racial makeup of Sam Hughes Elementary?

Students at Sam Hughes Elementary are 46% Hispanic, 41% White, 7% Two or more races, 4% African American, 2% Asian.

What schools do graduates of Sam Hughes Elementary attend?

Students who attend Sam Hughes Elementary usually go on to attend:

Middle : Mansfeld Middle Magnet School
High : Tucson Magnet High School
High : University High School
Alternative : Tucson Unified Virtual Academy

Is Sam Hughes Elementary a good school?

Sam Hughes Elementary ranks 189^th of 900 Arizona elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

How many students attend Sam Hughes Elementary?

In the 2024-25 school year, 365 students attended Sam Hughes Elementary.

Rate Sam Hughes Elementary!

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Latest Arizona data All new data »

2025–26 AASA test scoresNewOct 13, 2026

2024–25 dropout ratesDec 2, 2025

2024–25 graduation ratesNov 7, 2025

2024–25 AASA & AzSCI test scoresOct 10, 2025

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.