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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Cottonwood Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 14 public schools serving 3,165 students in Cottonwood, AZ (there are 3 private schools, serving 375 private students). 90% of all K-12 students in Cottonwood, AZ are educated in public schools (compared to the AZ state average of 94%).
The top-ranked public schools in Cottonwood, AZ are Arizona Izone Institute, Liberty Leadership Academy and Vacte - Valley Academy For Career And Technology Education. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Cottonwood, AZ public schools have an average math proficiency score of 21% (versus the Arizona public school average of 34%), and reading proficiency score of 29% (versus the 41% statewide average). Schools in Cottonwood have an average ranking of 4/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Arizona public schools.
Minority enrollment is 52% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Arizona public school average of 67% (majority Hispanic).

Best Public Schools in Cottonwood, AZ (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Arizona Izone Institute
(Math: ≥80% | Reading: 60-79% )
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
1 N Willard St
Cottonwood, AZ 86326
(928) 634-2288
Gr: K-12
Rank: #22.
Liberty Leadership Academy
Charter School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
320 S Main St
Cottonwood, AZ 86326
(928) 641-4631
Gr: K-8 | 81 students Student-teacher ratio: 27:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: #33.
Vacte - Valley Academy For Career And Technology Education
Vocational School
(Math: 40-59% | Reading: 60-79% )
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
3405 E State Route 89a Bldg B
Cottonwood, AZ 86326
(928) 634-7131
Gr: 9-12 | 7 students Student-teacher ratio: 1:1 Minority enrollment: 43%
Rank: #44.
Mountain View Preparatory School
(Math: 32% | Reading: 42%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
2939 E Del Rio Dr
Cottonwood, AZ 86326
(928) 649-8144
Gr: K-8 | 426 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 45%
Rank: #55.
Vacte - Mingus Union High School
Vocational School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 35-39% )
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
1801 E Fir St
Cottonwood, AZ 86326
(928) 634-7131
Gr: 9-12 | 1 student
Rank: #66.
Mingus Union High School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 28%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
1801 E Fir St
Cottonwood, AZ 86326
(928) 634-7531
Gr: 9-12 | 1,165 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 51%
Rank: #77.
Dr Daniel Bright Elementary School
(Math: 21% | Reading: 27%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
1500 S Monte Tesoro Dr
Cottonwood, AZ 86326
(928) 634-7039
Gr: PK-8 | 585 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 55%
Rank: #88.
American Heritage Academy - Cottonwood
Charter School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
2030 E Cherry St
Cottonwood, AZ 86326
(928) 634-2144
Gr: K-12 | 240 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 51%
Rank: #99.
Cottonwood Education Services
(Math: 24% | Reading: 31% )
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
301 N Willard St
Cottonwood, AZ 86326
(928) 634-2288
Gr: PK-12 | 86 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 36%
Rank: #1010.
Mingus Online Academy
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20% )
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
1801 E Fir St
Cottonwood, AZ 86326
(928) 634-7531
Gr: 8-12 | 37 students Minority enrollment: 49%
Rank: #1111.
American Heritage Academy - Camp Verde
Charter School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
132 W General Crook Trl
Cottonwood, AZ 86326
(928) 567-0462
Gr: K-8 | 107 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 47%
Rank: #1212.
Cottonwood Community School
(Math: 13% | Reading: 19%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
500 E Mingus Ave
Cottonwood, AZ 86326
(928) 634-2231
Gr: K-8 | 430 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 66%
Rank: n/an/a
Vacte - Clarkdale Jerome School District
Vocational School
830 S Main St Ste 2e
Cottonwood, AZ 86326
(928) 634-7131
Gr: 9-12
Rank: n/an/a
Vacte - Cottonwood-oak Creek Unified School District
Vocational School
830 S Main St Ste 2e
Cottonwood, AZ 86326
(928) 634-7131
Gr: 9-12

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public schools in Cottonwood, AZ?
How many public schools are located in Cottonwood?
14 public schools are located in Cottonwood.
What percentage of students in Cottonwood go to public school?
90% of all K-12 students in Cottonwood are educated in public schools (compared to the AZ state average of 94%).
What is the racial composition of students in Cottonwood?
Cottonwood public schools minority enrollment is 52% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Arizona public schools average of 67% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in Cottonwood are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Cottonwood include: Cottonwood Education Services vs. Mountain View Preparatory School

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