Sossaman Middle School

Summary:

Sossaman Middle School is a public middle school located in Queen Creek, Arizona, serving grades 7-8 with a total enrollment of 1,043 students. The school is part of the Higley Unified School District, which is ranked 75 out of 288 districts in Arizona and is rated 4 stars out of 5 by SchoolDigger.

Sossaman Middle School consistently outperforms the state and district averages in academic proficiency across various subjects and grade levels. For example, in the 2023-2024 school year, 65% of 7th-grade students were proficient or better in English Language Arts, compared to 60% for the Higley Unified School District and 41% for the state of Arizona. Similarly, in 8th-grade Mathematics, 56% of Sossaman students were proficient or better, compared to 46% for the district and 28% for the state. The school has maintained a strong statewide ranking, placing in the top 10-15% of Arizona middle schools in recent years, and has demonstrated consistent high performance across various student subgroups.

In addition, Sossaman Middle School has maintained exceptionally low dropout rates, ranging from 0.0% to 0.2% over the past several years, significantly lower than the state and district averages. While the school has a higher student-teacher ratio of 18.6 in 2022-2023 compared to some nearby schools, its overall academic and operational metrics suggest that it is providing a quality education to its diverse student population.


Detail:

Public 7-8

 18655 E Jacaranda Blvd
       Queen Creek, AZ  85142-3669


(480) 279-8500

District: Higley Unified School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
83rd of 533 Arizona Middle Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $6,310 Help


Students who attend Sossaman Middle School usually attend:

High:    Higley High School

Feeder schools for Sossaman Middle School:

Elementary:    Bridges Elementary School
    Centennial Elementary School
    Cortina Elementary
    Power Ranch Elementary
    More...

Student/teacher ratio:  18.6 Help
Number of students:  1,043

Racial breakdown:

White:
67.0%
Hispanic:
19.7%
Two or more races:
6.5%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  12.8% Help


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 Compare Sossaman Middle School to nearby middle schools!

Performance Trends
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Compare Details Sossaman Middle School ranks better than 84.4% of middle schools in Arizona. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 80.1. (See more...)
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The high school dropout rate measures the percentage of students who do not complete their high school education.
Student Body
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Compare Details Racial makeup is: White (67%), Hispanic (19.7%), two or more races (6.5%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 12.8% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Sossaman Middle School is 18.6. (See more...)
Help
Compare Sossaman Middle School employs 55.8 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Sossaman Middle School is $6,310.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Sossaman Middle School:

SchoolDigger ranks Sossaman Middle School 83rd of 533 Arizona public middle schools. (See Sossaman Middle School in the ranking list.)

Middle School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Multi-racial students:
Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Male students:
Hispanic students:
White students:


Higley Unified School District:

SchoolDigger ranks Higley Unified School District 75th of 288 Arizona school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Your rating for Sossaman Middle School?

Rank History for Sossaman Middle School

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Compare

Rank History for all students at Sossaman Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools AZ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2015 86.93 52nd 521 90.0%
2016 87.37 76th 677 88.8%
2017 85.61 79th 695 88.6%
2018 85.31 83rd 711 88.3%
2019 89.29 49th 605 91.9%
2021 91.89 49th 832 94.1%
2022 81.55 77th 605 87.3%
2023 88.49 69th 854 91.9%
2024 80.10 83rd 533 84.4%
See the entire list of Arizona Middle School Rankings!

Rank History for Multi-racial students at Sossaman Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools AZ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 73.72 13th 43 69.8%
2019 79.45 1st 14 92.9%
2021 78.00 72nd 650 88.9%
2022 59.98 72nd 211 65.9%
2023 74.13 50th 384 87.0%
2024 51.98 7th 19 63.2%
See the entire list of Best Arizona Middle Schools for Multi-racial Students!

Rank History for English Language Learner students at Sossaman Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools AZ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2021 42.31 196th 606 67.7%
See the entire list of Best Arizona Middle Schools for English Language Learner Students!

Rank History for Special Education students at Sossaman Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools AZ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 59.37 43rd 178 75.8%
2019 84.74 1st 5 80.0%
2021 77.00 36th 789 95.4%
2023 39.45 174th 363 52.1%
See the entire list of Best Arizona Middle Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Sossaman Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools AZ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 78.69 70th 503 86.1%
2022 60.68 119th 369 67.8%
2023 81.90 61st 717 91.5%
2024 75.29 47th 314 85.0%
See the entire list of Best Arizona Middle Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Homeless students at Sossaman Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools AZ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2021 76.96 13th 257 94.9%
2022 71.92 4th 12 66.7%
See the entire list of Best Arizona Middle Schools for Homeless Students!

Rank History for Female students at Sossaman Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools AZ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 88.73 52nd 624 91.7%
2019 88.93 31st 466 93.3%
2021 91.67 41st 820 95.0%
2022 78.01 66th 494 86.6%
2023 83.11 99th 806 87.7%
2024 71.65 79th 379 79.2%
See the entire list of Best Arizona Middle Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Military Connected students at Sossaman Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools AZ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2021 59.89 40th 143 72.0%
2023 96.91 1st 110 99.1%
See the entire list of Best Arizona Middle Schools for Military Connected Students!

Rank History for Male students at Sossaman Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools AZ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 79.25 107th 617 82.7%
2019 81.00 60th 435 86.2%
2021 90.45 47th 818 94.3%
2022 75.14 72nd 476 84.9%
2023 90.76 50th 810 93.8%
2024 74.78 68th 356 80.9%
See the entire list of Best Arizona Middle Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for Asian students at Sossaman Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools AZ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 66.21 15th 42 64.3%
2019 28.64 26th 31 16.1%
2021 63.29 137th 404 66.1%
2022 58.14 75th 192 60.9%
2023 70.88 57th 247 76.9%
See the entire list of Best Arizona Middle Schools for Asian Students!

Rank History for African American students at Sossaman Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools AZ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 66.47 26th 125 79.2%
2021 58.78 139th 573 75.7%
2023 71.33 64th 400 84.0%
See the entire list of Best Arizona Middle Schools for African American Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at Sossaman Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools AZ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 88.30 35th 543 93.6%
2019 88.85 38th 387 90.2%
2021 86.83 47th 802 94.1%
2022 66.28 111th 392 71.7%
2023 83.70 70th 760 90.8%
2024 68.10 73rd 322 77.3%
See the entire list of Best Arizona Middle Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for Native American students at Sossaman Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools AZ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2021 63.44 53rd 390 86.4%
2023 73.18 33rd 159 79.2%
See the entire list of Best Arizona Middle Schools for Native American Students!

Rank History for White students at Sossaman Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools AZ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 74.19 86th 436 80.3%
2019 77.69 49th 337 85.5%
2021 85.40 49th 780 93.7%
2022 70.94 85th 446 80.9%
2023 79.06 89th 675 86.8%
2024 65.43 72nd 273 73.6%
See the entire list of Best Arizona Middle Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: Arizona Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

Sossaman Middle School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 




Data source: Arizona Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 2.3)
33%

0%

0%

0%

67%

  

Reviews:
by a parent
Tuesday, December 10, 2019

Open Quote DISCRIMINATION Students with cell phones have privileges to those without. When needing to send a message about a transportation emergency to my student during school I was told by front office to “text student”. When informing them she didn’t have a cell phone they continued that they could not interrupt class or pass a note on. Cooperation came after sending Mr. Dolan an email. Fast forward to now... I noticed my student left an assignment on the counter. Brought the assignment to school and ask that she pleased be called to get it. “Text student”they said. ”Student doesn’t have a phone” I reminded them. They continued that they couldn’t interrupt class for an assignment and that it’s a learning opportunity for student not to forget work. I said that it’s really unfair that a student with a cell phone can be interrupted in class, by their parents, to come get a forgotten assignment. While it’s a learning opportunity and no interruptions for the student without a cell phone. Basically the front desk encourages the parent to text a child and interrupt class while I’m just out of luck. I thought kids shouldn’t be texting in class as well. Either tell ALL parents they are out of luck, or interrupt the class for ALL parents via text from parent or call from front office. Close Quote



Enrollment information for Sossaman Middle School

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
2014 605 48 33 182 4 3 31 0 906
2015 618 32 28 189 8 2 24 0 901
2016 633 35 30 172 7 2 38 0 917
2017 675 31 30 186 7 5 37 0 971
2018 689 34 28 209 11 6 41 0 1018
2019 730 29 37 216 6 8 45 0 1071
2020 733 30 34 225 7 6 54 0 1089
2021 723 34 24 219 6 6 50 0 1062
2022 724 34 34 229 9 3 63 0 1096
2023 699 35 24 205 10 2 68 0 1043

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Sossaman Middle School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
2014 906 52.5 17.2 17.8
2015 901 44.0 20.4 18.6
2016 917 43.0 21.3 9.1
2017 971 46.2 21.0 17.1
2018 1018 46.4 21.9 15.9
2019 1071 50.2 21.3 15.9
2020 1089 52.2 20.8 12.9
2021 1062 55.4 19.1 n/a
2022 1096 55.7 19.6 6.1
2023 1043 55.8 18.6 12.8

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Sossaman Middle School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
2014 906 52.5 17.2 17.8
2015 901 44.0 20.4 18.6
2016 917 43.0 21.3 9.1
2017 971 46.2 21.0 17.1
2018 1018 46.4 21.9 15.9
2019 1071 50.2 21.3 15.9
2020 1089 52.2 20.8 12.9
2021 1062 55.4 19.1 n/a
2022 1096 55.7 19.6 6.1
2023 1043 55.8 18.6 12.8

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Sossaman Middle School

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YearPersonnel Expenditures from Federal FundsNon-Personnel Expenditures from Federal FundsTotal Expenditures from Federal FundsPersonnel Expenditures from State and Local FundsNon-Personnel Expenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $89 (1.0%) $74 (0.9%) $252 (2.9%) $6,069 (70.2%) $2,414 (27.9%) $8,483 (98.1%) $8,646
2020 $154 (2.2%) $296 (4.2%) $605 (8.5%) $5,648 (79.7%) $985 (13.9%) $6,633 (93.6%) $7,083
2021 $569 (9.5%) $61 (1.0%) $1,200 (20.0%) $4,806 (80.2%) $560 (9.3%) $5,366 (89.5%) $5,996
2022 $284 (4.5%) $67 (1.1%) $635 (10.1%) $5,238 (83.0%) $721 (11.4%) $5,959 (94.4%) $6,310

Data source: Arizona Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Sossaman Middle School

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Ranks 49th of 605 Middle schoolsRanks 69th of 854 Middle schools
 0%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students10711043
 2.6%
African American2935
 20.7%
American Indian610
 66.7%
Asian3724
 35.1%
Hispanic216205
 5.1%
Pacific Islander82
 75%
White730699
 4.2%
Two or More Races4568
 51.1%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients15.9%12.8%
 3%


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Frequently Asked Questions about Sossaman Middle School

Students at Sossaman Middle School are 67% White, 20% Hispanic, 7% Two or more races, 3% African American, 2% Asian.

Students who attend Sossaman Middle School usually go on to attend Higley High School

In the 2022-23 school year, 1,043 students attended Sossaman Middle School.

Sossaman Middle School ranks 83rd of 533 Arizona middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.


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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Arizona Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.





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