For the 2026 school year, there are 8 public preschools serving 2,093 students in Gila County, AZ.
The top-ranked public preschools in Gila County, AZ are Young Elementary School, Pine Strawberry Elementary School and Tonto Basin Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Gila County, AZ public preschools have an average math proficiency score of 14% (versus the Arizona public pre school average of 36%), and reading proficiency score of 19% (versus the 40% statewide average). Pre schools in Gila County have an average ranking of 1/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Arizona public pre schools.
Minority enrollment is 73% of the student body (majority American Indian), which is more than the Arizona public preschool average of 68% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Preschools in Gila County (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Young Elementary School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
Hwy 288 Baker Ranch Rd
Young, AZ 85554
(928) 462-3244
Young, AZ 85554
(928) 462-3244
Gr: PK-8 | 40 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
Rank: #22.
Pine Strawberry Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
3868 N Pine Creek Dr
Pine, AZ 85544
(928) 476-3283
Pine, AZ 85544
(928) 476-3283
Gr: PK-8 | 97 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1 Minority enrollment: 20%
Rank: #33.
Tonto Basin Elementary School
(Math: 20-29% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
445 S. Old Hwy 188
Tonto Basin, AZ 85553
(928) 479-2277
Tonto Basin, AZ 85553
(928) 479-2277
Gr: PK-8 | 79 students Student-teacher ratio: 26:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #44.
Copper Rim Elementary School
(Math: 16% | Reading: 19%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1600 Mesquite
Globe, AZ 85501
(928) 402-5800
Globe, AZ 85501
(928) 402-5800
Gr: PK-5 | 694 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 67%
Rank: #55.
Dr. Charles A. Bejarano Elementary School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 25-29% )
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
4635 B Ragus Road
Miami, AZ 85539
(928) 425-3271
Miami, AZ 85539
(928) 425-3271
Gr: PK-3 | 219 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 64%
Rank: #66.
Leonor Hambly K-8
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
824 Thorne Ave.
Winkelman, AZ 85192
(520) 356-7876
Winkelman, AZ 85192
(520) 356-7876
Gr: PK-8 | 213 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 82%
Rank: #77.
Rice Elementary School
(Math: 6% | Reading: 3%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
San Carlos Avenue
San Carlos, AZ 85550
(928) 475-4837
San Carlos, AZ 85550
(928) 475-4837
Gr: PK-6 | 673 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1
Rank: n/an/a
4739 E Ragus Rd
Miami, AZ 85539
(928) 425-3271
Miami, AZ 85539
(928) 425-3271
Gr: PK
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public preschools in Gila County, AZ?
The top-ranked public preschools in Gila County, AZ include Young Elementary School, Pine Strawberry Elementary School and Tonto Basin Elementary School.
How many public preschools are located in Gila County?
8 public preschools are located in Gila County.
What is the racial composition of students in Gila County?
Gila County public preschools minority enrollment is 73% of the student body (majority American Indian), which is more than the Arizona public preschools average of 68% (majority Hispanic).
Which public preschools in Gila County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public preschools in Gila County include: Dr. Charles A. Bejarano Elementary School vs. Copper Rim Elementary School, Tonto Basin Elementary School vs. Pine Strawberry Elementary School, Copper Rim Elementary School vs. Dr. Charles A. Bejarano Elementary School
Recent Articles
Media Literacy as a Core Skill: How to Tell if a School Teaches It Well
Learn how to evaluate whether a public school teaches media literacy effectively, from fact-checking and source evaluation to digital citizenship and critical thinking.
Screen Time, Paper Learning, and the New Back-to-Basics Debate
Explore why some public schools are reducing screen time, bringing back paper learning, and rethinking the balance between technology and traditional instruction.
Student Data, AI Tools, and Privacy: Questions to Ask Your District
Learn how public schools use AI, protect student data, and the key privacy questions every parent should ask their school district in 2026.