Excellent
#196 of 2,006 schools in AZ
Top 10% in state
Stepping Stones Academy
Elementary School · Stepping Stones Academy (10966)
35812 N 7TH ST, Phoenix, AZ 85086
Enrollment
219
Score
8.5
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
219
Score
8.5
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Arizona schools
#196 of 2,006
In Phoenix
#48 of 422
public schools
Academic performance
9.7 / 10
Excellent
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Stepping Stones Academy
Elementary School in Phoenix · grades Kindergarten – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Desert Mountain School
0.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Diamond Canyon School
3.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Stepping Stones Academy
Stepping Stones Academy is a public elementary school in Phoenix, AZ, part of Stepping Stones Academy (10966). Stepping Stones Academy serves approximately 219 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-8th. Stepping Stones Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.5 out of 10 and ranks #196 of 2,006 schools in AZ.
Structured state assessment records for Stepping Stones Academy show 67% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 66% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 8.5 · Excellent
- AZ avg 6.4
What Parents Should Know
Stepping Stones Academy is a charter school: publicly funded, but run with more independence than a traditional district school. Many charters are built around a specific model or focus, so it's worth understanding this one's mission, how enrollment works, and how it differs from the district schools nearby.
30% of students at Stepping Stones Academy were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Stepping Stones Academy — Students at Stepping Stones Academy score 72% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 38%).
Test Scores AZ EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 28 test records from AZ state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.0/10.
How Stepping Stones Academy Compares
See how Stepping Stones Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Location
35812 N 7TH ST, Phoenix, AZ 85086
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Stepping Stones Academy may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Sonoran Foothills School (rated 9.1/10, 3.3 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Diamond Canyon School (rated 8.8/10, 3.3 miles away, in nearby Anthem), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Lone Mountain Elementary School (rated 8.8/10, 6.5 miles away, in nearby Cave Creek), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Phoenix, see our Phoenix schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 6.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Desert Mountain School Desert Hills | 0.7 mi | 8.6 |
| Diamond Canyon School Anthem | 3.3 mi | 8.8 |
| Sonoran Foothills School Phoenix | 3.3 mi | 9.1 |
| Ridgeline Academy Inc. Phoenix | 3.4 mi | 8.0 |
| Sunset Ridge School Phoenix | 3.7 mi | 7.9 |
| Gavilan Peak School Anthem | 4.3 mi | 8.6 |
| Anthem School Anthem | 5.0 mi | 8.6 |
| West-MEC - Boulder Creek High School Anthem | 5.2 mi | — |
| Boulder Creek High School Anthem | 5.2 mi | 7.5 |
| Desert Willow Elementary School Cave Creek | 5.3 mi | 8.1 |
| Norterra Canyon School Phoenix | 6.0 mi | 7.6 |
| ANNUNCIATION CATHOLIC SCHOOL Cave Creek | 5.5 mi | 5.8 |
| CAREFREE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Cave Creek | 5.4 mi | 6.9 |
| NORTH VALLEY CHRISTAIN ACADEMY Anthem | 6.1 mi | 4.8 |
| AMCS at Anthem dba Caurus Academy Anthem | 6.1 mi | 7.4 |
| Union Park School Phoenix | 6.7 mi | 7.8 |
| Great Hearts Academies - Anthem Prep Phoenix | 6.7 mi | 8.9 |
| QUALITY INTERACTIVE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Cave Creek | 6.2 mi | 5.9 |
| Hope High School Online Glendale | 7.2 mi | 6.3 |
| Lone Mountain Elementary School Cave Creek | 6.5 mi | 8.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 85086 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$118,543
Median Home Value
$554,100
Median Rent
$2,177/mo
Population
43,369
College Educated
42.2%
Homeownership
84.8%
Avg Commute
29.3 min
Poverty Rate
4.4%
Median Age
44.4
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF TUCSON Tucson, AZ | 8.5 |
| Little Red Schoolhouse Nogales, AZ | 8.5 |
| Marshall Elementary School Tucson, AZ | 8.5 |
| Montessori Day Public Schools Chartered - Mountainside Phoenix, AZ | 8.5 |
| Havasu Preparatory Academy Phoenix, AZ | 8.4 |
| Hirsch Academy A Challenge Foundation Scottsdale, AZ | 8.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Stepping Stones Academy
What grades does Stepping Stones Academy serve?
Stepping Stones Academy serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.
How many students attend Stepping Stones Academy?
Stepping Stones Academy has an enrollment of approximately 219 students.
How does Stepping Stones Academy rank in AZ?
Stepping Stones Academy ranks #196 of 2,006 schools in AZ.
What is Stepping Stones Academy's MySchoolScout rating?
Stepping Stones Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.5 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Stepping Stones Academy?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Stepping Stones Academy has 67% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 66% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
Is Stepping Stones Academy a charter school?
Yes, Stepping Stones Academy is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.
Is Stepping Stones Academy a Title I school?
No, Stepping Stones Academy is not currently a Title I school.
Neighborhood Context
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Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 8th
- Enrollment
- 219
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Maricopa County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 30.1%
- Phone
- (623) 465-4910
Resources & Links
District
Stepping Stones Academy (10966)- District Enrollment
- 219
- Schools in District
- 1
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $10,253
- District Rank
- #1 of 1
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