Middle Schools in Mesa Unified District

The Mesa Unified District in Arizona is home to 10 middle schools that vary in size, student demographics, academic performance, and other key metrics. While some schools, like Franklin Junior High School and Stapley Junior High School, consistently rank among the top middle schools in the state, others struggle with lower test scores and higher dropout rates.

The data reveals a significant gap in academic performance between the top-performing and lower-performing schools. For example, Franklin Junior High and Stapley Junior High have 74-91% of students proficient in English Language Arts and Mathematics, while schools like Kino Junior High School and Carson Junior High School have only 10-20% proficiency rates. This suggests that factors beyond just funding and resources, such as school leadership, teacher quality, and student demographics, play a crucial role in student outcomes.

The data also highlights the relationship between socioeconomic status and academic performance, with schools serving higher percentages of students from low-income families tending to have lower test scores and higher dropout rates. Addressing these challenges and understanding the practices employed by the top-performing schools could provide valuable insights for improving outcomes across the Mesa Unified District.