Graham County has 4 unified school districts and 3 elementary school districts, which include elementary, and middle schools. Additionally, eight high schools in Graham and Greenlee counties, including one charter school, have come together to form the Gila Institute for Technology, which shares resources for high-school career and technical education programs.
Within the Graham County school districts are 5 high schools; 2 middle schools; 9 elementary schools, some of which also offer preschool and grades 6-8; and one K-12 special education accommodation school. In addition to the district schools, there are also 5 charter schools covering all grades K-12 in various school-level grade ranges. There are also a number of private schools with religious affiliations.
Under the federal No Child Left Behind Act, 11.8 percent of district public schools in Graham County, or 2 of 17, failed to make adequate yearly progress in 2010. Of charter schools located in the county, 40 percent, or 2 of 5, failed to make adequate yearly progress.
Under Arizona Learns for the 2010 school year, 1 Graham County district public school (5.9 percent) was rated excelling; 2 schools (11.8 percent) were rated highly performing; 8 schools (47.1 percent) were rated performing plus; and 6 schools (35.3 percent) were rated performing. None was rated underperforming or failing. Of Graham County‘s charter schools, 2 schools (40 percent) were rated performing plus and 3 schools (60 percent) were rated performing.
In fiscal year 2010, per pupil spending of public school districts in Graham County was $7,572, compared to $7,609 at the state level and $10,297 nationally (U.S. data are from 2008). Per pupil spending in the classroom was $4,374 (57.8 percent of total spending) in Graham County compared to $4,253 (55.9 percent) at the state level and $6,262 (60.8 percent) nationally. In fiscal year 2010, the average student-to-teacher ratio in Graham County was 13.9, compared to 17.9 statewide.
Eastern Arizona College
Graham County also has a community college district — Eastern Arizona College — with campuses in Thatcher and Safford. The college also offers classes in neighboring Greenlee and Gila counties and online.
Eastern Arizona College offers 2-year degrees in a variety of fields including: Agribusiness, Agriculture, Forestry, Business Administration, Computer Information Systems, Cosmetology, Early Childhood Care and Education, Elementary Education, Secondary Education in several teaching fields, Engineering, Mining and Industrial Technology, Languages, Biological Science, Wildlife Biology, Environmental Technology, Mathematics, Chemistry, Geology, Physics, Psychology, Administration of Justice, Fire Science, Anthropology, Political Science, Sociology, Electrical and Instrumental Technology, Industrial Plant Technology, Automotive Service Technology, Computer Assisted Design and Drafting Technology, Machine Shop Technology, Welding Technology, Graphic Design, Pharmacy Technician, Paramedicine, Pre-Medical Science, Pre-Pharmacy, Pre-Chiropractic, Pre-Physical Therapy, Nursing, Pre-Nursing, Pre-Optometry, and several other arts and sciences fields.
Eastern Arizona College also offers certificate programs in numerous fields, personal enrichment classes, GED, English Language Acquisition, and numerous other learning opportunities through its Adult Education Center and Small Business Development Center.
As of early March 2011, a bill was working its way through the Arizona legislature to allow Eastern Arizona College to offer 4-year baccalaureate degrees in education, business, and mining technology.
In addition to Eastern Arizona College, Northern Arizona University has an extension campus in Thatcher, collocated with Eastern Arizona College, and offers face-to-face undergraduate and graduate degree and certificate programs in education, and online programs in various fields.
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