- Canon School — Grades PK–8 · 117 students
| Metric | Paloma School District | National Average | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Enrollment | 112 | 3,544 | ↓ Smaller than avg |
| Number of Schools | 1 | 7 | Varies by district |
| Per-Pupil Spending | $21,157/yr | $17,619/yr | Small district — per-pupil varies |
| District Type | Public School District | Public District | — |
| Overall Rating | 4/10 — Below Average | — | Below average |
| District | Rating | Percentile | Students |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paloma School District (this district) | 4/10 | 31st | 112 |
| Buckeye Union High School District | 5/10 | 46th | — |
| Sentinel Elementary District | Not rated | — | 38 |
| Saddle Mountain Unified School District | 4/10 | 31st | 3,146 |
About Paloma School District
Zip code 85337 in Gila Bend, Arizona is served by Paloma School District for public school enrollment. The district covers grades Pre-K–8th. This page provides a data-driven overview of Paloma School District’s funding levels, size, rating, and what families should know before enrolling or making a housing decision in this area.
Funding and Resources
Paloma School District spent $21,157 per pupil in FY2024, well above the Arizona state average of $12,003 and above the national average of $17,619 (US Census Bureau, Annual Survey of School System Finances). 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 1 schools serving grades Pre-K–8th, Paloma School District qualifies as a small, community-focused district serving students from Pre-K–8th. The district enrolls approximately 112 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 4/10 Rating
With a rating of 4/10 (below average), Paloma School District ranks among Arizona’s below average-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.
⚠️ Small-district caveat. Paloma School District enrolls 112 students. A percentile rank drawn from so few test-takers is statistically unstable — it can move several points from one year to the next on normal variation alone, and a single class of students can swing it. Treat this rating as a rough signal rather than a precise ranking, and look at the school-level detail below before drawing conclusions.
Paloma School District carries a below-average rating, with reading and math proficiency rates below typical Arizona benchmarks on state assessments. A below-average score reflects test performance relative to other districts — not necessarily teaching quality or school culture, and some of these districts have schools with strong communities and dedicated staff. Families should research specific school quality, visit in person, and ask about available programs. Also ask about open enrollment and magnet options that may offer alternatives to the default attendance-zone assignment.
Enrollment for Families in Zip Code 85337
Children in zip code 85337 are assigned to Paloma School District for public school enrollment, covering grades Pre-K–8th. School assignments are address-specific — your elementary, middle, and high school placements depend on your exact street address within zip code 85337, 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 Paloma School 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 Gila Bend
For families considering a purchase in the Gila Bend area, district assignment matters financially. Because Paloma School District serves zip code 85337, buyers should factor school district quality into their overall evaluation of homes in zip code 85337. 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 Paloma School 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 85337.
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 and phone numbers are updated annually when NCES publishes new data, typically in spring; per-pupil spending comes from the US Census Bureau's Annual Survey of School System Finances, released about two years after the fiscal year it covers. Always verify your specific school assignment and enrollment requirements directly with Paloma School District before making any housing or enrollment decision based on zip code 85337 data.