How strong are the public elementary schools in Mesa?
With a fresh school year kicking off, we analyzed newly released data from Niche.com — which include comprehensive report cards, rankings and reviews — to identify those schools that made the biggest strides last year and those that lead their peers.
Keller Elementary School's overall rating improved the most among similar schools in Mesa, rising from a C+ to a B, according to data from Niche.
For the 2019-2020 school year, the school, located at 1445 E. Hilton Ave., enrolls 608 students. Keller Elementary School serves a diverse population: 70% of students identify as Hispanic and 24% identify as white. Niche graded the school a B- for academics (on an A-D scale).
The overall ranking comes from Niche's proprietary algorithms. A school's ranking might change due to many factors, including the relative rankings of similar schools and whether a school gained or lost peers due to openings or closings. Other numbers come from current public data from the U.S. government.
Academically, 41% of Keller Elementary School's students scored as proficient or above in math, and 37% did so in reading. That's compared to city averages of 49% in math and 44% in reading. The school's improved overall rating is notable in that it serves a less-affluent population, with 81% of students qualifying for free or reduced lunch, 19% more than the city average.
It's not the only school that's climbed Niche's rankings this year. Washington Elementary School saw its overall rating go from a B to an A-. The school is located at 2260 W. Isabella Ave. and is a bit smaller, currently serving 448 students, of whom 41% identify as white and 34% identify as Hispanic.
Niche graded Washington Elementary School a B+ for academics on an A-D scale. The school's latest math proficiency was at 61%, and reading proficiency was 53%.
Emerson Elementary School also saw improvement in its overall rating, from C+ to B-. The school is located at 415 N. Westwood Road and has 816 students currently enrolled, of whom 55% identify as Hispanic and 27% identify as white.
Niche graded Emerson Elementary a B- for academics on an A-D scale. Its latest math proficiency was at 41%, and reading proficiency was 30%. The school also serves a less-affluent community, with 83% of students qualifying for free or reduced lunch.
While some public elementary schools in Mesa are moving up the ranks, others are consistently top-rated overall, including:
- Canyon Rim Elementary, with an overall rating of A.
- Augusta Ranch Elementary School, with an A- rating overall.
- Meridian, rated A- overall.
Want more of the latest intel on Mesa schools? Hoodline also analyzed the latest Niche ratings for the city's public high schools.
This story was created automatically using data from Niche.com, then reviewed by an editor before publication. Click here for more about how and why Hoodline is automating local news. Got thoughts about what we're doing? Go here to share your feedback.
