Tucked away in a residential community along Flowing Wells District Park, Carden of Tucson is a small, tuition-free charter school often considered a local gem. For more than 40 years, Carden has fostered a supportive educational environment for children in kindergarten through eighth grade through living up to its “be kind” motto.
Here, students benefit from small classes and one-on-one attention, and often might work in squads where students in multiple age groups mentor and learn from one another while forming a stronger sense of belonging.
As an Invention Education school, Carden also focuses on hands-on problem-solving to spur critical thinking and prepare students for 21st century challenges with a curriculum geared toward science, technology, engineering and math. Students also learn how to nurture life in the school’s garden, whether potting flowers or growing plants from seeds.
Outside of class, Carden fosters a sense of community through a calendar of events including fall carnivals, pizza fundraiser nights, Love of Reading weeks, student talent shows, music programs and volunteer and community projects—many of which invite participation from students' parents and caregivers. Additionally, the small class sizes enable students to go on more enriching field trips than might be logistically possible at larger schools.
With a strong sense of community, Carden of Tucson fosters lifelong learning and a drive to make the world a better place.
Carden of Tucson
Charter Elementary, Middle School
|
Grade K-8
5260 N Royal Palm Dr,
Tucson, AZ
School Details
Math Proficiency
44.5%
Reading Proficiency
54.5%
Niche Grade
A-
A+
Source: Niche
Niche Grade Details
Academics
Reading Proficiency
54.5%
Math Proficiency
44.5%
Teachers
Teachers in First or Second Year
25%
GreatSchools Rating
7
Source: GreatSchools
GreatSchools Rating Details
Test Scores
Math
45%
State Average
44%
Science
36%
State Average
31%
Student Diversity
Male
50.8%
Female
49.2%
Hispanic
52.5%
White
44.3%
Two or more races
1.6%
Black
1.6%
School Rankings
#39
Best Public MS Teachers in Arizona
#44
Best Public ES Teachers in Arizona
#67
Best Charter MS in Arizona
This School’s Reviews
GreatSchools Reviews
8/5/2025
Carden of Tucson is by far one of the best schools our family has been a part of. Our eldest child attended other local public schools and we found it to be overwhelming, at times disorganized and that he wasn't getting the one on one engagement he needed. With our two younger children we were able...
8/23/2023
Great school that teaches great skills to students. Welcoming and friendly and definitely would recommend as a school to anyone.
9/24/2022
Close-knit community. Small class sizes. Great administrative staff. A hidden gem!
9/3/2022
This school is one of Tucson's best kept secrets. Great teachers, great kids, great families and superb schooling. Two of my children attended K-8 at Carden of Tucson and the other two are in 7th and 8th grade. I would highly recommend looking at this school. Small classroom sizes allow the teachers...
Agents Specializing Near This School
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Christina Esala
Christina Esala
Real Broker
(520) 900-9016
404 Total Sales
18 Near This School
$76K - $900K Price Range
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Laurie Lundeen
Laurie Lundeen
EMBARC Realty
(520) 462-9490
470 Total Sales
1 Near This School
$235,000 Price
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James Leonard (Jase)
James Leonard (Jase)
Realty ONE Group
(779) 256-6043
236 Total Sales
1 Near This School
$340,000 Price
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Alexander Prewitt
Alexander Prewitt
Responds QuicklyReal Broker
(520) 214-6602
492 Total Sales
2 Near This School
$275K - $460K Price Range
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Brenda O'Brien
Brenda O'Brien
Long Realty
(520) 900-1701
234 Total Sales
21 Near This School
$325K - $2.2M Price Range
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Jill Pilling
Jill Pilling
Long Realty
(520) 873-9755
78 Total Sales
1 Near This School
$314,000 Price
Map
List Price Range
$65K - $399K
Homes For Sale
37
Average Home Value
$259,488
Median Lot Size
6,534 Sq Ft
% Renters
37%
Average Household Income
$48,534
% of College Grads
13.6%
Median Age
38
Average House Size
1,168 Sq Ft
% Commercial Property
55.6%
Homes for Sale
Homes for Rent
-
-
-
$1,295 - $5,343 per month
- Cortland on the Loop
- 1 - 3 Beds
- 1-2 Baths
- 786+ Sq Ft
- 1925 W River Rd
- Tucson, AZ
Additional Schools in the Area
Public Schools shown may be Choice Schools
Choice Schools
Choice schools may not serve this home. Please check the school district website to see all schools serving this home.
Parks in this Area
Dan Felix Regional Park
- Grills
- Picnic Area
- Soccer
Jacobs Park
- Basketball
- Dog Park
- Grills
Children's Memorial Park
- Baseball/Softball
- Basketball
- Grills
Flowing Wells District Park
- Baseball/Softball
- Basketball
- Picnic Area
Curtis Park
- Baseball/Softball
- Picnic Area
- Playground
Sweetwater Wetlands Park
- Trails
- Nature Center
Pima Prickly Park
Additional Neighborhoods in this Area
Ward 1
Grouping of single-family homes along planned streets parallel to Interstate 10
Amphi
Historic and multi-generational community close to shopping and family attractions
Balboa Heights
Northern Tucson area close to local shopping and dining
Limberlost
Quiet and convenience under the desert shade of mesquites and more
Ward 3
Clusters of manufactured and ranch-style homes offer low buy-in and shopping
Carden of Tucson is a charter school for students in grades K-8 located at 5260 N Royal Palm Dr in Tucson, AZ. The school has a total enrollment of 54. Academic records show that 44.5% of students achieve proficiency in math, and 54.5% are proficient in reading. Carden of Tucson has received feedback and ratings, with a Niche grade of A- and a GreatSchools Rating of 7 out of 10. The average home value in this area is $259,488. Discover additional schools in the area, like Sonoran Science Academy - Tucson, Pima County JTED - Master Pieces, and more. Learn more about what Tucson has to offer, and browse homes for sale and for rent near Carden of Tucson.