Miles-Exploratory Learning Center

milesk8.tusd1.org

285 Students

Elementary School Pre-K - 8th

School Overview

Miles Exploratory Learning Center (ELC), located in Tucson, Arizona, is a distinct K-8 magnet school within the Tucson Unified School District that prioritizes a hands-on, inquiry-based approach to education. Unlike traditional classroom settings, the school’s "exploratory" philosophy encourages students to take an active role in their learning journey. By focusing on critical thinking, problem-solving, and thematic, project-based instruction, the school aims to foster a deep sense of curiosity and academic engagement in students from diverse backgrounds.

The school is highly regarded for its community-oriented atmosphere and its commitment to integrating arts, technology, and real-world experiences into the standard curriculum. Because it is a magnet school, Miles ELC attracts families looking for an alternative to conventional teaching methods, offering a specialized environment where personalized learning and student agency are emphasized. Through its unique pedagogical structure, Miles ELC strives to equip its students with the skills necessary to navigate complex challenges both inside and outside of the classroom.

285

Total Students

30.2

Full-Time Teachers

9.4

Student/Teacher Ratio

N/A

Free/Reduced Lunch

Student Demographics

Student Demographics Data Table

Student Demographics for Miles-Exploratory Learning Center
Demographic	Student Count
White	72
Hispanic	175
Black	7
Asian	5
Two or More	16
American Indian	9
Pacific Islander	1

Hispanic
175 (61.4%)
White
72 (25.3%)
Two or More
16 (5.6%)
American Indian
9 (3.2%)
Black
7 (2.5%)
Asian
5 (1.8%)
Pacific Islander
1 (0.4%)

School Location

School Details

Status:	Open
School Level:	Elementary School
School Type:	Regular School
Charter Status:*	Public Non-Charter
Virtual Instruction:	No virtual instruction
Shared Time Status:	No
District:	Tucson Unified District (4403)
Phone:	(520)225-2200
Website:	http://milesk8.tusd1.org
Grade Range:	Pre-K - 8th
Total Students:	285
Full-Time Teachers (FTE):	30.2
Pupil/Teacher Ratio:	9.4
NSLP Participation:¹	Yes under Community Eligibility Option (CEO)
Qualified Free Lunch:	0
Qualified Reduced Lunch:	0

* Charter Schools: A public charter school is a publicly funded school that operates independently under a legislative contract (or "charter") with a state, school district, or designated authorizing entity. Charters grant these schools greater operational flexibility over curriculum, staffing, and budgeting in exchange for strict accountability to achieve performance standards established in their charter agreement.

¹ National School Lunch Program (NSLP): The National School Lunch Program is a federally assisted meal program operating in public and nonprofit private schools. It provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches to eligible children each school day based on household income thresholds or community eligibility options (CEO).

Title I Program Overview: Title I, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) allocates federal financial assistance to local educational agencies and public schools with high percentages of children from low-income families to help ensure that all children meet challenging state academic standards.

Grades Taught

Pre-Kindergarten 34

Kindergarten 27

Grade 1 25

Grade 2 28

Grade 3 31

Grade 4 25

Grade 5 29

Grade 6 27

Grade 7 29

Grade 8 30

Grades Taught Data Table

Grades Taught and Student Counts for Miles-Exploratory Learning Center
Grade	Student Count
Pre-Kindergarten	34
Kindergarten	27
Grade 1	25
Grade 2	28
Grade 3	31
Grade 4	25
Grade 5	29
Grade 6	27
Grade 7	29
Grade 8	30

Gender Ratio

Student Gender Ratio Data Table

Student Gender Ratio for Miles-Exploratory Learning Center
Gender	Student Count	Percentage
Female	128	44.9%
Male	157	55.1%

Nearby Elementary Schools (Within 10 Miles)

Highland Free School

Highland Free School (79061)

Charter School 31 Students

510 S HIGHLAND AVE
TUCSON, AZ 85719 (0.4 miles away)

Elementary School K - 6th