New rankings show Phoenix's top-rated and most-improved charter middle schools

New rankings show Phoenix's top-rated and most-improved charter middle schoolsPhoto: iStock
Hoodline
Published on August 27, 2019

How do the charter middle schools in Phoenix stack up?

We analyzed newly released data from Niche.com — including comprehensive report cards, rankings and reviews — to find out how schools in your area are performing and which have made the biggest leaps over the past year.

Imagine Cortez Park Middle School's overall rating improved the most among similar schools in Phoenix, rising from a C+ to a B, according to data from Niche.

For the 2019-2020 school year, the school, located at 3535 W. Dunlap Ave., enrolls 223 students. Imagine Cortez Park Middle School serves a diverse population: 55% of students identify as Hispanic and 30% identify as Asian. 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, 37% of Imagine Cortez Park Middle School's students scored as proficient or above in math, and 26% did so in reading. That's compared to city averages of 31% in math and 31% in reading. The school's improved overall rating is notable in that it serves a less-affluent population, with 99% of students qualifying for free or reduced lunch, 11% more than the city average.

It's not the only school that's climbed Niche's rankings this year. Imagine Desert West Middle School saw its overall rating increase from a C to a C+. The school is located at 6738 W. McDowell Road and is a bit larger, currently serving 379 students.

Niche graded Imagine Desert West Middle School a B- for academics on an A-D scale. The school's latest math proficiency was at 36%, and reading proficiency was 33%. It also serves a less-affluent population, again with 99% of students qualifying for free or reduced lunch.

ASU Preparatory Academy - Phoenix Middle School also improved, from C to C+. The school is located at 735 E. Fillmore St. and has 358 students currently enrolled, of whom 74% identify as Hispanic, 11% identify as white and 10% identify as black.

Niche graded ASU Preparatory Academy - Phoenix Middle School a B- for academics on an A-D scale. Its latest math proficiency was at 26%, and reading proficiency was 34%.

While some charter middle schools in Phoenix are moving up the ranks, others are consistently top-rated overall, including:

  • The Farm at Mission Montessori Academy, with an overall rating of A+.
  • Arizona Conservatory for Arts & Academics Middle School, with an A rating overall.

Want more of the latest intel on Phoenix schools? Hoodline also analyzed the latest Niche ratings for the city's public elementary 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.