Needs Improvement
#1942 of 2,006 schools in AZ
Cactus Canyon Junior High
Middle School · Apache Junction Unified District (4443)
801 W SOUTHERN AVE, Apache Junction, AZ 85120
Enrollment
620
Student-Teacher
20:1
Score
3.2
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
620
Student-Teacher
20:1
Score
3.2
Grades
6th – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Arizona schools
#1,942 of 2,006
In Apache Junction
#9 of 9
public schools
In district
#5 of 5
Apache Junction Unified District (4443)
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Cactus Canyon Junior High
Middle School in Apache Junction · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Apache Junction High School
0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Evit East Apache Junction
0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Cactus Canyon Junior High
Cactus Canyon Junior High is a public middle school in Apache Junction, AZ, part of Apache Junction Unified District (4443). Cactus Canyon Junior High serves approximately 620 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 20:1 student-teacher ratio. Cactus Canyon Junior High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.2 out of 10 and ranks #1,942 of 2,006 schools in AZ.
Structured state assessment records for Cactus Canyon Junior High show 34% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 43% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 3.2 · Needs Improvement
- AZ avg 5.6
What Parents Should Know
70% of students at Cactus Canyon Junior High 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
Cactus Canyon Junior High — Students at Cactus Canyon Junior High score 18% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 37%).
Test Scores AZ EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 28 test records from AZ state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 2.3/10.
How Cactus Canyon Junior High Compares
See how Cactus Canyon Junior High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
801 W SOUTHERN AVE, Apache Junction, AZ 85120
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Cactus Canyon Junior High may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Desert Ridge Jr. High (rated 5.8/10, 3.6 miles away, in nearby Mesa), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Imagine Superstition Middle (rated 5.6/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Apache Junction, see our Apache Junction schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Apache Junction High School Apache Junction | 0.4 mi | 4.8 |
| EVIT East Apache Junction Mesa | 0.4 mi | — |
| Imagine Prep Superstition Apache Junction | 0.8 mi | 6.0 |
| Imagine Superstition Middle Apache Junction | 0.8 mi | 5.6 |
| Avalon Elementary Apache Junction | 0.9 mi | 6.9 |
| Apache Trail High School Apache Junction | 1.5 mi | 4.0 |
| Brinton Elementary Mesa | 1.6 mi | 7.2 |
| ARCHES Academy Apache Jct | 2.1 mi | 5.9 |
| Four Peaks Elementary School Apache Junction | 2.8 mi | 3.7 |
| Sousa Elementary School Mesa | 3.1 mi | 4.6 |
| Patterson Elementary Mesa | 2.9 mi | 7.7 |
| Desert Vista Elementary School Apache Junction | 3.0 mi | 4.5 |
| Legacy Traditional School - East Mesa Chandler | 3.4 mi | 3.9 |
| Skyline High School Mesa | 3.4 mi | 6.3 |
| EVIT - Skyline High School Mesa | 3.4 mi | — |
| Desert Ridge Jr. High Mesa | 3.6 mi | 5.8 |
| Meridian Mesa | 4.0 mi | 8.6 |
| Leading Edge Academy at East Mesa Gilbert | 3.9 mi | 4.9 |
| Desert Ridge High Mesa | 3.9 mi | 7.1 |
| Imagine East Mesa Elementary Phoenix | 3.8 mi | 5.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 85120 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$53,921
Median Home Value
$162,900
Median Rent
$958/mo
Population
29,308
College Educated
13.9%
Homeownership
82%
Avg Commute
28.2 min
Poverty Rate
11.4%
Median Age
57.5
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Rhodes Junior High School Mesa, AZ | 3.2 |
| Wade Carpenter Middle School Nogales, AZ | 3.2 |
| Amphitheater Middle School Tucson, AZ | 3.3 |
| Sierra 2-8 School Tucson, AZ | 3.3 |
| Villago Middle School Casa Grande, AZ | 3.3 |
| Cactus Middle School Casa Grande, AZ | 3.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Cactus Canyon Junior High
What grades does Cactus Canyon Junior High serve?
Cactus Canyon Junior High serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Cactus Canyon Junior High?
Cactus Canyon Junior High has an enrollment of approximately 620 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Cactus Canyon Junior High?
The student-teacher ratio at Cactus Canyon Junior High is 20:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Cactus Canyon Junior High rank in AZ?
Cactus Canyon Junior High ranks #1,942 of 2,006 schools in AZ.
What is Cactus Canyon Junior High's MySchoolScout rating?
Cactus Canyon Junior High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.2 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 Cactus Canyon Junior High?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Cactus Canyon Junior High has 34% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 43% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
Is Cactus Canyon Junior High a charter school?
No, Cactus Canyon Junior High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Cactus Canyon Junior High a Title I school?
No, Cactus Canyon Junior High is not currently a Title I school.
Neighborhood Context
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Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 620
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 20:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 31
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Pinal County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 70.2%
- Phone
- (480) 982-1110
Resources & Links
District
Apache Junction Unified District (4443)- District Enrollment
- 2,710
- Schools in District
- 6
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,498
- District Rank
- #5 of 5
Other Schools in This District
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