- Altar Valley Middle School — Grades 5–8 · 159 students
- Robles Elementary School — Grades PK–5 · 320 students
| Metric | Altar Valley Elementary District | National Average | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Enrollment | 131 | 3,700 | ↓ Smaller than avg |
| Number of Schools | 2 | 6 | Varies by district |
| Per-Pupil Spending | $8,500/yr (est.) | $13,700/yr | State avg est. |
| District Type | Public School District | Public District | — |
| Overall Rating | 2/10 — Poor | — | Below average |
| District | Rating | Percentile | Students |
|---|---|---|---|
| Altar Valley Elementary District (this district) | 2/10 | 16th | 131 |
| Mayer Unified District | 3/10 | 20th | 573 |
| Tolleson Union High School District | 3/10 | 27th | 13,741 |
| Bicentennial Union High School District | 1/10 | 8th | 126 |
About Altar Valley Elementary District
Altar Valley Elementary District is the public school district assigned to zip code 85736 in Tucson, Arizona. Serving students from K–12, this district is the primary public education system for families living in and around zip code 85736. The sections below cover the district’s resources, scale, rating, and everything families need to know about enrollment and school assignment.
Funding and Resources
According to NCES 2024–2025, Altar Valley Elementary District spends approximately $8,500 per student per year, placing it near the Arizona state average of approximately $8,500 and significantly below the national average nationally (U.S. average: $13,700/year). Districts with constrained budgets face challenges with class sizes, program breadth, and facility upkeep. Ask specifically about available services when enrolling. Per-pupil spending directly affects teacher compensation, class sizes, elective course offerings, technology access, and the depth of student support services — making it one of the most meaningful structural indicators of district capacity.
District Scale and Program Breadth
At 2 schools serving grades K–12, Altar Valley Elementary District qualifies as a small, community-focused district serving students from K–12. The district enrolls approximately 585 students in total. Small districts often benefit from tighter community cohesion, more personalized teacher-student relationships, and stronger parental involvement. The trade-off is narrower program variety: fewer elective courses, specialized tracks, or extracurricular options than larger systems offer.
Understanding the 2/10 Rating
With a rating of 2/10 (low-rated), Altar Valley Elementary District ranks among Arizona’s low-rated-rated school systems. Our ratings are based on state assessment results — the share of students scoring proficient or above in reading and math, as reported in Arizona’s AASA/ACT/MSAA combined assessments (2025 school year). We average each district’s reading and math proficiency, then rank it against other districts in the same state to produce a 1–10 score. Because Arizona is compared only against itself, the rating reflects how this district performs relative to its in-state peers.
Altar Valley Elementary District holds a low overall rating, with reading and math proficiency among the lowest in Arizona on state assessments. Test results reflect many factors beyond the classroom, including community and economic conditions; a low score is a signal to research carefully, not a verdict on any individual school or teacher. Families in this area should research all available alternatives: inter-district transfers, charter schools, and magnet programs. Contact the district directly to understand exactly what programs are available at your assigned school.
Enrollment for Families in Zip Code 85736
Children in zip code 85736 are assigned to Altar Valley Elementary District for public school enrollment, covering grades K–12. School assignments are address-specific — your elementary, middle, and high school placements depend on your exact street address within zip code 85736, not just your neighborhood. Two homes on opposite ends of the same zip code may be assigned to different schools within the same district.
To confirm your specific school assignments, contact Altar Valley Elementary District at the number listed on the district website or visit the district’s official website. Typical enrollment documents include proof of address, a government-issued birth certificate, immunization records, and any existing school records or IEP documentation. If your child has an IEP or 504 plan, bring that documentation to enrollment — Arizona districts are required to continue services within a reasonable period. Fall enrollment windows typically open in late winter or early spring; contact the district for exact dates and required steps.
School Districts and Home Values in Tucson
For families considering a purchase in the Tucson area, district assignment matters financially. Because Altar Valley Elementary District serves zip code 85736, buyers should factor school district quality into their overall evaluation of homes in zip code 85736. District boundaries are address-specific — verify the exact district assignment for any property you’re seriously considering rather than assuming based on the neighborhood. A single block can place two adjacent homes in different districts with different ratings and different annual property tax implications.
Use the property tax estimator on this page to calculate estimated annual tax obligations based on your target purchase price. In Arizona, property taxes are a primary funding source for public schools — your tax payments directly support Altar Valley Elementary District programs and staff. Understanding both district quality and the associated tax burden is essential financial due diligence before committing to any home in zip code 85736.
Data Sources and Accuracy
All district information on this page is sourced from the NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) 2024–2025, the U.S. Department of Education’s annual census of all public school districts — the same dataset used by researchers, journalists, and policymakers to analyze American public education. District boundaries, school assignments, phone numbers, and per-pupil expenditure figures are updated annually when NCES publishes new data, typically in spring. Always verify your specific school assignment and enrollment requirements directly with Altar Valley Elementary District before making any housing or enrollment decision based on zip code 85736 data.