Lafe Nelson School (Ranked Top 50% for 2025-26)

1100 S 10th Ave
Safford, AZ 85546

( shown in map)

Top 50%

Serving 462 students in grades Kindergarten-6, Lafe Nelson School ranks in the top 50% of all schools in Arizona for overall test scores (math proficiency is top 50%, and reading proficiency is top 50%).

The percentage of students achieving is 39% (which is higher than the Arizona state average of 34%). The percentage of students achieving is 42% (which is higher than the Arizona state average of 40%).

The student-teacher ratio of 26:1 is higher than the Arizona state level of 17:1.

Minority enrollment is 64% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is lower than the Arizona state average of 66% (majority Hispanic).

Quick Facts (2025-26)

Grades: Kindergarten-6
Enrollment: 462 students
Student-Teacher Ratio: 26:1
Minority Enrollment: 64%
: Top 50% in AZ
: 39% (Top 50%)
: 42% (Top 50%)
: 30-39% (Top 30%)
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), AZ Dept. of Education

School Overview

Lafe Nelson School's student population of 462 students has declined by 10% over five school years.

The teacher population of 18 teachers has declined by 30% over five school years.

Grades Offered

Grades Kindergarten-6
(No virtual instruction)

View Data

Distribution of Students By Grade Trends
Grade	Lafe Nelson School
Kind	75
1	70
2	87
3	66
4	55
5	58
6	51

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Total Students

462 students

View Data

Total Students Trends Over Years (1987-2023)
Year	Lafe Nelson School
2023	455
2022	451
2021	411
2020	519
2019	519
2018	520
2017	520
2016	528
2015	569
2014	609
2013	540
2012	569
2011	548
2010	551
2009	568
2008	540
2007	503
2006	467
2005	486
2004	492
2003	500
2002	700
2001	698
2000	698
1999	676
1998	649
1997	661
1996	742
1995	765
1994	785
1993	786
1992	761
1991	723
1990	598
1989	561
1988	738
1987	727

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Gender %

Total Classroom Teachers

18 teachers

View Data

Total Classroom Teachers Trends Over Years (1987-2023)
Year	Lafe Nelson School
2023	22
2022	20
2021	25
2020	26
2019	26
2018	32
2017	32
2016	25
2015	29
2014	29
2013	29
2012	30
2011	29
2010	31
2009	32
2008	29
2007	25
2006	27
2005	29
2004	27
2003	26
2002	34
2001	36
2000	35
1999	31
1998	31
1997	32
1996	37
1995	34
1994	37
1993	37
1992	37
1991	34
1990	29
1989	28
1988	35
1987	32

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School Motto

Be Kind, Responsible, and Safe!

School Rankings

Lafe Nelson School ranks within the top 50% of all 1,921 schools in Arizona (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).

The of Lafe Nelson School is 0.53, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.66. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.

This School

State Level (AZ)

#662 out of 1921 schools
(Top 50%)

View Data

Overall School Rank Trends Over Years (2012-2023)
Year	Lafe Nelson School
2023	#662
2022	#671
2021	#564
2019	#858
2018	#929
2017	#636
2016	#574
2015	#1017
2014	#848
2013	#886
2012	#820

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39%

34%

View Data

Math Proficiency Comparison Over Years (2012-2023)
Year	Lafe Nelson School	Arizona	Safford Unified District (4218) School District
2023	39%	34%	33%
2022	45%	35%	36%
2021	45%	32%	33%
2019	53%	45%	47%
2018	49%	45%	50%
2017	50%	42%	42%
2016	50%	39%	40%
2015	38%	38%	34%
2014	64%	63%	67%
2013	61%	63%	64%
2012	60%	63%	64%

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42%

40%

View Data

Reading and Language Arts Proficiency Comparison Over Years (2011-2022)
Year	Lafe Nelson School	Arizona	Safford Unified District (4218) School District
2022	42%	40%	39%
2021	45%	39%	38%
2019	45%	45%	45%
2018	40%	44%	50%
2017	48%	42%	44%
2016	42%	40%	37%
2015	29%	38%	31%
2014	80%	79%	81%
2013	79%	78%	82%
2012	80%	77%	80%
2011	78%	77%	78%

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30-39%

24%

Student-Teacher Ratio

26:1

17:1

View Data

Student-Teacher Ratio Comparison Over Years (1987-2023)
Year	Lafe Nelson School	Arizona	Safford Unified District (4218) School District
2023	21:1	17:1	24:1
2022	23:1	17:1	22:1
2021	16:1	17:1	20:1
2020	20:1	18:1	21:1
2019	20:1	18:1	21:1
2018	16:1	19:1	19:1
2017	16:1	19:1	19:1
2016	21:1	20:1	21:1
2015	20:1	20:1	21:1
2014	21:1	19:1	21:1
2013	19:1	19:1	20:1
2012	19:1	18:1	20:1
2011	19:1	19:1	19:1
2010	18:1	18:1	19:1
2009	18:1	18:1	18:1
2008	19:1	18:1	20:1
2007	20:1	18:1	20:1
2006	17:1	18:1	18:1
2005	17:1	19:1	19:1
2004	18:1	19:1	20:1
2003	19:1	19:1	20:1
2002	21:1	19:1	20:1
2001	19:1	19:1	19:1
2000	20:1	19:1	20:1
1999	22:1	19:1	21:1
1998	21:1	19:1	20:1
1997	21:1	19:1	21:1
1996	20:1	19:1	20:1
1995	23:1	19:1	21:1
1994	21:1	19:1	21:1
1993	21:1	20:1	21:1
1992	21:1	20:1	21:1
1991	22:1	20:1	21:1
1990	21:1	20:1	22:1
1989	20:1	20:1	21:1
1988	21:1	20:1	22:1
1987	23:1	20:1	22:1

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American Indian

View Data

American Indian Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1991-2023)
Year	Lafe Nelson School	Arizona	Safford Unified District (4218) School District
2023	2%	5%	2%
2022	2%	5%	1%
2021	2%	5%	2%
2020	3%	6%	2%
2019	3%	6%	2%
2018	2%	6%	1%
2017	2%	6%	1%
2016	1%	5%
2015	1%	5%
2014	3%	5%	1%
2013	1%	5%	1%
2012	1%	5%	1%
2011	1%	7%	1%
2010	1%	6%	3%
2009	1%	6%	1%
2008	2%	5%	2%
2007	1%	6%	2%
2006	1%	7%	2%
2005	2%	7%	2%
2004	1%	8%	2%
2003	2%	8%	3%
2002	1%	8%	2%
2001	1%	8%	1%
2000	2%	8%	1%
1999	1%	7%	1%
1998	2%	7%	1%
1997	1%	7%	1%
1996	1%	7%	1%
1995	1%	7%
1994	1%	7%
1991	3%	6%

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Asian

n/a

View Data

Asian Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1990-2015)
Year	Lafe Nelson School	Arizona	Safford Unified District (4218) School District
2015	1%	3%
2014	1%	3%	1%
2013	1%	3%	1%
2012	1%	3%
2011	1%	3%
2010	1%	3%
2009	1%	3%
2008	1%	3%
2007	1%	3%
2006	1%	2%
2002	1%	2%	1%
2001	1%	2%	1%
2000	1%	2%	2%
1999	1%	2%	1%
1998	1%	2%	1%
1997	1%	2%	1%
1996	1%	2%	1%
1995	1%	2%	2%
1994	1%	2%	1%
1993	1%	2%
1990	2%	1%	1%

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Hispanic

59%

48%

View Data

Hispanic Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1991-2023)
Year	Lafe Nelson School	Arizona	Safford Unified District (4218) School District
2023	57%	47%	55%
2022	55%	47%	54%
2021	54%	46%	53%
2020	49%	45%	51%
2019	49%	45%	51%
2018	48%	45%	52%
2017	48%	45%	52%
2016	50%	45%	52%
2015	49%	45%	34%
2014	49%	44%	50%
2013	51%	43%	49%
2012	50%	43%	49%
2011	49%	42%	47%
2010	46%	41%	45%
2009	45%	41%	45%
2008	47%	42%	46%
2007	49%	41%	46%
2006	49%	39%	47%
2005	51%	38%	46%
2004	49%	37%	44%
2003	49%	36%	43%
2002	42%	35%	43%
2001	43%	33%	42%
2000	44%	33%	41%
1999	43%	32%	42%
1998	43%	31%	42%
1997	45%	30%	42%
1996	41%	30%	42%
1995	38%	29%	40%
1994	38%	28%	40%
1993	39%	27%	40%
1992	38%	25%	37%
1991	36%	25%	37%

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Black

View Data

Black Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1993-2023)
Year	Lafe Nelson School	Arizona	Safford Unified District (4218) School District
2023	1%	6%	1%
2022	1%	6%	1%
2021	1%	6%	1%
2020	1%	5%	1%
2019	1%	5%	1%
2018	1%	5%
2017	1%	5%
2016	1%	5%	1%
2015	2%	5%	3%
2014	2%	5%	1%
2013	2%	5%	1%
2012	2%	5%	2%
2011	3%	5%	2%
2010	3%	6%	2%
2009	3%	6%	3%
2008	3%	6%	3%
2007	4%	5%	3%
2006	3%	5%	2%
2005	4%	5%	2%
2004	4%	5%	3%
2003	3%	5%	2%
2002	2%	5%	2%
2001	3%	5%	2%
2000	3%	4%	2%
1999	2%	5%	2%
1998	2%	4%	2%
1997	2%	4%	1%
1996	1%	4%	1%
1995	1%	4%	1%
1994	2%	4%	1%
1993	2%	4%	2%

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White

36%

34%

View Data

White Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1991-2023)
Year	Lafe Nelson School	Arizona	Safford Unified District (4218) School District
2023	38%	35%	40%
2022	40%	35%	42%
2021	40%	36%	42%
2020	45%	38%	45%
2019	45%	38%	45%
2018	46%	38%	46%
2017	46%	38%	46%
2016	45%	39%	46%
2015	43%	40%	30%
2014	42%	41%	46%
2013	42%	42%	48%
2012	44%	42%	48%
2011	46%	42%	50%
2010	49%	44%	50%
2009	50%	44%	51%
2008	47%	44%	49%
2007	45%	45%	49%
2006	46%	47%	49%
2005	43%	48%	50%
2004	46%	48%	51%
2003	46%	49%	52%
2002	54%	50%	52%
2001	52%	52%	54%
2000	50%	53%	54%
1999	53%	54%	54%
1998	52%	56%	54%
1997	51%	57%	54%
1996	56%	57%	55%
1995	59%	58%	57%
1994	58%	59%	58%
1993	58%	60%	58%
1992	57%	61%	60%
1991	50%	65%	61%

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Hawaiian

n/a

Two or more races

View Data

Two or More Races Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (2013-2023)
Year	Lafe Nelson School	Arizona	Safford Unified District (4218) School District
2023	2%	4%	2%
2022	2%	4%	2%
2021	3%	4%	2%
2020	2%	3%	1%
2019	2%	3%	1%
2018	3%	3%	1%
2017	3%	3%	1%
2016	3%	3%	1%
2015	4%	2%	3%
2014	3%	2%	1%
2013	2%	2%

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All Ethnic Groups

0.53

0.66

View Data

Diversity Score Comparison Over Years (1991-2023)
Year	Lafe Nelson School	Arizona	Safford Unified District (4218) School District
2023	0.54	0.65	0.54
2022	0.54	0.65	0.54
2021	0.55	0.66	0.54
2020	0.56	0.65	0.54
2019	0.56	0.65	0.54
2018	0.56	0.65	0.53
2017	0.56	0.65	0.53
2016	0.55	0.65	0.53
2015	0.58	0.64	0.45
2014	0.59	0.64	0.55
2013	0.58	0.64	0.54
2012	0.57	0.64	0.54
2011	0.55	0.65	0.54
2010	0.55	0.64	0.55
2009	0.55	0.64	0.54
2008	0.56	0.63	0.55
2007	0.56	0.63	0.55
2006	0.55	0.63	0.55
2005	0.56	0.62	0.55
2004	0.55	0.63	0.55
2003	0.55	0.63	0.54
2002	0.54	0.62	0.54
2001	0.55	0.62	0.54
2000	0.56	0.62	0.54
1999	0.54	0.60	0.53
1998	0.55	0.59	0.53
1997	0.54	0.58	0.53
1996	0.52	0.58	0.52
1995	0.51	0.58	0.51
1994	0.52	0.57	0.51
1993	0.52	0.56	0.51
1992	0.53	0.56	0.52
1991	0.64	0.54	0.51

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Eligible for

75%

40%

View Data

Free Lunch Eligibility Comparison Over Years (2005-2023)
Year	Lafe Nelson School	Arizona	Safford Unified District (4218) School District
2023	49%	39%	41%
2022	36%	29%	27%
2021	84%	42%	57%
2020	59%	43%	42%
2019	59%	43%	42%
2018	66%	42%	50%
2017	66%	42%	50%
2016	58%	33%	46%
2015	46%	34%	37%
2014	53%	36%	43%
2013	59%	37%	49%
2012	36%	36%	19%
2011	63%	36%	34%
2010	37%	38%	20%
2009	55%	39%	37%
2008	47%	29%	33%
2005	48%	40%	31%

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Eligible for

10%

View Data

Reduced-Price Lunch Eligibility Comparison Over Years (2004-2023)
Year	Lafe Nelson School	Arizona	Safford Unified District (4218) School District
2023	7%	7%	5%
2021	7%	9%	7%
2020	8%	7%	8%
2019	8%	7%	8%
2018	5%	9%	6%
2017	5%	9%	6%
2016	8%	11%	7%
2015	6%	5%	8%
2014	8%	14%	7%
2013	8%	10%	8%
2012	6%	11%	3%
2011	9%	10%	6%
2010	5%	8%	3%
2009	10%	10%	10%
2008	16%	9%	12%
2005	16%	8%	38%
2004	9%	8%	8%

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School Statewide Testing

School District Name

Safford Unified District (4218) School District

Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), AZ Dept. of Education

Profile last updated: 02/09/2025

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Lafe Nelson School's ranking?

Lafe Nelson School is ranked #662 out of 1,921 schools, which ranks it among the top 50% of public schools in Arizona.

What schools are Lafe Nelson School often compared to?

Lafe Nelson Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Ruth Powell Elementary School by visitors of our site.

What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?

39% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 34% AZ state average), while 42% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 40% AZ state average).

How many students attend Lafe Nelson School?

462 students attend Lafe Nelson School.

What is the racial composition of the student body?

59% of Lafe Nelson School students are Hispanic, 36% of students are White, 3% of students are American Indian, 1% of students are Black, and 1% of students are Two or more races.

What is the student-teacher ratio of Lafe Nelson School?

Lafe Nelson School has a student ration of 26:1, which is higher than the Arizona state average of 17:1.

What grades does Lafe Nelson School offer ?

Lafe Nelson School offers enrollment in grades Kindergarten-6 (No virtual instruction).

What school district is Lafe Nelson School part of?

Lafe Nelson School is part of Safford Unified District (4218) School District.

School Reviews

5 1/20/2020

Lafe Nelson school teachers and staff are kind, caring, and at tentative to my daughter's needs. I especially love her kindergarten teacher, Mrs Taylor, who finds creative ways to help her read the sight words in a story form. This has helped her to feel accomplished at a kindergarten level of education. The binders she created to keep all her school task, notes and homework keep everything simple and easy for us. Mrs Taylor was highly recommended and I'm really impressed with her. Mrs Omeara the principle is engaged and active in the classrooms as well and has a smile to every child and parent she sees. I could go on and on about the teachers there. They really care about the kids and their success.

- Posted by Parent - Jennifer

5 8/14/2019

I just started going to this school and there are a lot of good people, and I am having a hard time just from some kids but it is overall a great school my teacher is Awsome!

- Posted by Student/Alumni - Taylor

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