Office of the Pima County School Superintendent
Frequently Asked Questions
Pima County is southern Arizona's most populous county, with an estimated 910,950 people residing within the county's 9,184 square miles. Most of the population – 514,725 – lives in and around the city of Tucson.
Pima County has 201 non-charter public schools in 17 school districts. Fourteen of those districts are unified or elementary districts, 2 are transporting districts, and 1 is an accommodation district. Transporting districts (Empire and Redington school districts) are districts that do not have schools. Their students are tuitioned out to surrounding schools. Elementary districts (Altar Valley, Continental and San Fernando) serve students in kindergarten through 8th grade, then tuition out their high school students. Unified districts serve kindergarten through 12th grade students.
Most districts in Pima County (Ajo, Amphitheater, Catalina Foothills, Flowing Wells, Indian Oasis-Baboquivari, Marana, Sahuarita, Sunnyside, Tanque Verde, Tucson and Vail) are unified districts. The accommodation district serves students in the Juvenile Detention Center, incarcerated juveniles in the Adult Jail, and the students living in the unorganized territory of the Santa Catalina Mountains. There were 124,266 students enrolled in Pima County district schools for school year 2003-2004.
Where can I find out about job openings for teachers?
You can search and apply for jobs in Arizona schools - district, charter and private schools - through the Arizona Educational Employment Board's website. The address is www.arizonaeducationjobs.com.
Where can I get information about the number of employees and students in a school district?
The easiest way to get school information is to call the district office and ask there.
When do schools go on spring/winter/Rodeo Days Break? When does school start/end?
There isn't a statewide school schedule so you have to check the calendars of each district.
Where do I record my teaching certificate? Is there a fee?
Record teaching certificates in this office. We're downtown in the County Administration Building, 130 W. Congress, on the 4th floor. You can do this in person or by mail if you enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope with your certificate. There is no charge.
Who do I talk to if I'm having a problem at my child's school?
All schools have a chain of command. Start with the teacher, then go up the chain to the principal, then any administrators between that person and the superintendent, then the superintendent. Be courteous and keep notes of the names of the people you've talked with, the date and time you talked, and a brief summary of your conversations.
I want to renew my certificate. Can I do that in your office?
No. The Arizona Department of Education Teacher Certification Unit issues and renews certificates. The forms you need, the fees and office locations are on their website at http://www.ade.state.az.us/certification/.
Where can I get a list of charter schools or private schools?
You can get a list of charter schools and private schools from this website.
Where do I sign up to take the GED?
In the Adult Education division of Pima Community College. Their phone number is 206-6500 and the website address is www.cc.pima.edu/pcae.
Is there a way to get academic information about schools?
Yes, for public schools. Look at their school report cards and at their school profile on the School Information Partnership page.
How many students are home schooled in Pima County? How many students attend private schools?
Send us an e-mail or give us a call and we'll give you the number of affidavits we have on file for those students.
I can't find my child's school in the phone book. Where are schools listed?
District schools and private schools are listed in the white business pages under "Schools-Public" and "Schools-Parochial-Private." Charter schools are listed under their school names.
Who can answer questions about home schooling for me?
Go to the home school information section of our website to find out about home schooling.
