Sweetwater Community School is an alternative public school in Phoenix, Arizona, serving 187 students in grades K-12. The school faces significant challenges, with low graduation rates, poor test scores, and high dropout rates compared to surrounding schools and state averages.
Sweetwater Community School stands out for its high percentage of Hispanic students (52.41%) and economically disadvantaged students (47.59% receive free or reduced-price lunch), which may contribute to its academic struggles. The school's 4-year graduation rate is only 37.7%, far below the state average of 80%, and its test scores are consistently lower than the Paradise Valley Unified District and the state across all subjects and grade levels. For example, in 11th grade, only 11% of Sweetwater students were proficient or better in Science and Mathematics, compared to 29% and 46% respectively for the district.
When compared to nearby schools like Sonoran Science Academy - Phoenix, Great Hearts Academies - Archway Veritas, and AmeriSchools Academy - Camelback, Sweetwater Community School stands out as an outlier, with significantly lower academic performance and higher dropout rates. The school's unique challenges and student population suggest the need for targeted interventions and support to help students succeed and close the achievement gap.
In the 2023-24 school year, 175 students attended Sweetwater Community School.
Paradise Valley Unified District
Students at Sweetwater Community School are 59% Hispanic, 26% White, 9% African American, 3% Two or more races, 1% Asian, 1% American Indian, 1% Pacific Islander.