At a glance
Reported students
471
NCES CCD 2024–25
Teachers (FTE)
21
NCES CCD 2024–25
Student–teacher ratio
22.4:1
Calculated; not a class-size measure
Grades served
KG–06
NCES preliminary directory 2025–26
School benchmarks
Arizona elementary enrollment
54th percentile
Compared with 1,189 same-level schools reporting enrollment.
District median enrollment
505
Lafe Nelson School: 471 reported students.
State peer staffing position
92nd percentile
22.4:1 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
- 450
- Teachers (FTE)
- 27
- Student–teacher ratio
- 16.7:1
What the reported data says about Lafe Nelson School
Lafe Nelson School is a public elementary school serving grades KG–06 in Safford. It is one of 6 current school records connected to Safford Unified District (4218). NCES reports 471 students for 2024–25.
Among 1,189 elementary schools in Arizona with comparable records, this school is close in size to the reported median of 453 students. Its enrollment is at approximately the 54th percentile for that peer group. Size describes the campus, not instructional quality.
The reported student–teacher ratio is 22.4:1, above 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 Hispanic or Latino (58%) and White (37.2%). English learners represent 0.7% of enrollment. Students served under IDEA represent 16.9%. These figures help families understand who the school serves; they are not rating inputs.
Questions worth asking Lafe Nelson School
- 1How do the reported 22.4:1 student–teacher ratio and 21 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 0.33 counselor FTE in 2021–22.
- 4Does community eligibility provide breakfast and lunch to every enrolled student, and are summer meals available?
Enrollment needs
- English learners
- 0.7%
- Students with disabilities
- 16.9%
- Lunch program
- Yes under Community Eligibility Option (CEO)
Reported support staff
- Counselors (FTE)
- 0.33
- Nurses (FTE)
- 0.5
- Psychologists (FTE)
- 0
- 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
- White37.2%
- Hispanic58%
- Black1.1%
- Asian0%
- American Indian / Alaska Native2.1%
- Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander0%
- Multiracial1.7%
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
Not reported as 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 Safford Unified District (4218)
Start with campuses at the same school level or with similar reported enrollment.
Dorothy Stinson School
Elementary · Grades PK–06
539 reported students
Ruth Powell Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–06
575 reported students
Safford Middle School
Middle · Grades 07–08
375 reported students
Safford High School
High · Grades 09–12
828 reported students
Mt Graham High School
High · Grades 09–12
86 reported students
Public schools near Lafe Nelson School
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ruth Powell Elementary School Elementary · Safford Unified District (4218) | PK–06 | 575 | 0.2 mi |
| Dorothy Stinson School Elementary · Safford Unified District (4218) | PK–06 | 539 | 0.8 mi |
| Triumphant Learning Center Elementary · Charter · Triumphant Learning Center (4225) | KG–08 | 101 | 0.9 mi |
| Thatcher Elementary School Elementary · Thatcher Unified District (4219) | 03–06 | 549 | 2.8 mi |
| Jack Daley Primary School Elementary · Thatcher Unified District (4219) | PK–02 | 418 | 2.8 mi |
| Solomon Elementary School Elementary · Solomon Elementary District (4222) | PK–08 | 179 | 5.2 mi |
Frequently asked questions about Lafe Nelson School
What grades does Lafe Nelson School serve?
Lafe Nelson School reports grades KG–06 in the NCES 2025–26 preliminary directory. It is classified as an elementary school in Safford Unified District (4218).
How many students attend Lafe Nelson School?
Lafe Nelson School reported 471 students in the NCES 2024–25 membership file. That places it near the 54th percentile among 1,189 Arizona elementary schools reporting enrollment. The 2021–22 civil-rights collection recorded 450 students.
What is the student–teacher ratio at Lafe Nelson School?
The calculated ratio is 22.4:1, based on 471 students and 21 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 Lafe Nelson School a public, charter, or magnet school?
Lafe Nelson School is a public school and is not a charter school. Enrollment is generally based on Safford Unified District (4218) attendance boundaries and transfer rules.
Which school district is Lafe Nelson School in?
Lafe Nelson School is part of Safford Unified District (4218), based in Safford, AZ, which operates 6 current schools. Confirm attendance zones and enrollment rules with the district.
What public schools are near Lafe Nelson School?
The closest public schools by straight-line distance include Ruth Powell Elementary School (0.2 mi), Dorothy Stinson School (0.8 mi), Triumphant Learning Center (0.9 mi). Distance does not determine eligibility; attendance boundaries and program rules do.