At a glance
Reported students
629
NCES CCD 2024–25
Teachers (FTE)
40.54
NCES CCD 2024–25
Student–teacher ratio
15.5:1
Calculated; not a class-size measure
Grades served
PK–08
NCES preliminary directory 2025–26
School benchmarks
Arizona elementary enrollment
76th percentile
Compared with 1,189 same-level schools reporting enrollment.
District median enrollment
705.5
Cortina Elementary: 629 reported students.
State peer staffing position
42nd percentile
15.5:1 reported; state peer median 16.3:1. Ratio is not class size.
Historical enrollment and staffing · CRDC 2021–22
These older figures are kept separate from 2024–25 statistics and benchmarks. Differences between years can reflect changes in enrollment, staffing, or reporting scope.
- Students
- 776
- Teachers (FTE)
- 42
- Student–teacher ratio
- 18.5:1
What the reported data says about Cortina Elementary
Cortina Elementary is a public elementary school serving grades PK–08 in Queen Creek. It is one of 16 current school records connected to Higley Unified School District (4248). NCES reports 629 students for 2024–25.
Among 1,189 elementary schools in Arizona with comparable records, this school is larger than the reported median of 453 students. Its enrollment is at approximately the 76th percentile for that peer group. Size describes the campus, not instructional quality.
The reported student–teacher ratio is 15.5:1, close to the Arizona median of 16.3:1 for the same school level. This ratio uses total enrollment and teacher FTE; it is not an average classroom headcount and can be affected by special programs or part-time staffing.
The largest reported race and ethnicity groups are White (70.1%) and Hispanic or Latino (19.1%). English learners represent 1.3% of enrollment. Students served under IDEA represent 14.3%. These figures help families understand who the school serves; they are not rating inputs.
The 2021–22 civil-rights collection reports gifted and talented programming. Program availability changes, so families should confirm the current catalog and participation rules directly with the school.
Questions worth asking Cortina Elementary
- 1How do the reported 15.5:1 student–teacher ratio and 40.54 teacher FTE translate into actual class sizes by grade?
- 2Which advanced, gifted, career, arts, and computer-science courses are available this year, and how do students qualify?
- 3What counseling support is available today? The school reported 0 counselor FTE in 2021–22.
- 4What meal assistance, transportation, after-school, and family-support services are currently available?
Enrollment needs
- English learners
- 1.3%
- Students with disabilities
- 14.3%
- Lunch program
- Yes participating without using any Provision or the CEO
Reported support staff
- Counselors (FTE)
- 0
- Nurses (FTE)
- 1
- Psychologists (FTE)
- 1
- Social workers (FTE)
- 0
CRDC 2021–22 full-time-equivalent counts; verify current assignments with the school.
Student demographics
Race and ethnicity share of reported enrollment
- White70.1%
- Hispanic19.1%
- Black2.7%
- Asian2.4%
- American Indian / Alaska Native0.6%
- Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander0.2%
- Multiracial4.9%
Race/ethnicity: NCES CCD 2024–25. English learner and disability context: CRDC 2021–22. Lunch eligibility: NCES CCD 2024–25. Privacy rules can produce missing values.
Programs reported by the school
Gifted and talented
Offered
CRDC 2021–22: the AP flag records student enrollment; gifted and computer-science fields describe reported programs/classes. Confirm current courses and eligibility with the school.
Other schools in Higley Unified School District (4248)
Start with campuses at the same school level or with similar reported enrollment.
Centennial Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–08
588 reported students
Gateway Pointe Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–08
685 reported students
Coronado Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–08
536 reported students
Higley Traditional Academy
Elementary · Grades PK–08
726 reported students
Chaparral Elementary School
Elementary · Grades KG–08
734 reported students
Power Ranch Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–08
509 reported students
Public schools near Cortina Elementary
Closest campuses by straight-line distance between NCES geocodes, favoring the same school level. Distance is not drive time or an attendance assignment.
| School | Grades | Students | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Power Ranch Elementary Elementary · Higley Unified School District (4248) | PK–08 | 509 | 1.1 mi |
| Centennial Elementary School Elementary · Higley Unified School District (4248) | PK–08 | 588 | 1.5 mi |
| Bridges Elementary School Elementary · Higley Unified School District (4248) | KG–06 | 770 | 2 mi |
| Dr. Gary and Annette Auxier Elementary School Elementary · Chandler Unified District #80 (4242) | PK–06 | 534 | 2 mi |
| Coronado Elementary School Elementary · Higley Unified School District (4248) | PK–08 | 536 | 2.1 mi |
| Benjamin Franklin Charter School - Power Elementary · Charter · Benjamin Franklin Charter School - Queen Creek (4355) | KG–06 | 565 | 2.1 mi |
Frequently asked questions about Cortina Elementary
What grades does Cortina Elementary serve?
Cortina Elementary reports grades PK–08 in the NCES 2025–26 preliminary directory. It is classified as an elementary school in Higley Unified School District (4248).
How many students attend Cortina Elementary?
Cortina Elementary reported 629 students in the NCES 2024–25 membership file. That places it near the 76th percentile among 1,189 Arizona elementary schools reporting enrollment. The 2021–22 civil-rights collection recorded 776 students.
What is the student–teacher ratio at Cortina Elementary?
The calculated ratio is 15.5:1, based on 629 students and 40.54 full-time-equivalent classroom teachers in 2024–25. The Arizona median for the same school level is 16.3:1. A ratio is not the same as average class size.
Is Cortina Elementary a public, charter, or magnet school?
Cortina Elementary is a public school and is not a charter school. Enrollment is generally based on Higley Unified School District (4248) attendance boundaries and transfer rules.
Which school district is Cortina Elementary in?
Cortina Elementary is part of Higley Unified School District (4248), based in Gilbert, AZ, which operates 16 current schools. Confirm attendance zones and enrollment rules with the district.
What public schools are near Cortina Elementary?
The closest public schools by straight-line distance include Power Ranch Elementary (1.1 mi), Centennial Elementary School (1.5 mi), Bridges Elementary School (2 mi). Distance does not determine eligibility; attendance boundaries and program rules do.