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Needs Improvement

#1954 of 2,006 schools in AZ

Cactus Middle School

Middle School · Casa Grande Elementary District (4446)

1220 E KORTSEN RD, Casa Grande, AZ 85122

Enrollment

750

Student-Teacher

20.3:1

Score

3.1

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Arizona schools

#1,954 of 2,006

In Casa Grande

#16 of 20

public schools

In district

#10 of 14

Casa Grande Elementary District (4446)

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Cactus Middle School

3.1/10

Middle School in Casa Grande · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Cholla Elementary School

3.6/10

0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Legacy Traditional School - Casa Grande

7.3/10

0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Cactus Middle School

Cactus Middle School is a public middle school in Casa Grande, AZ, part of Casa Grande Elementary District (4446). Cactus Middle School serves approximately 750 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 20.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Cactus Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.1 out of 10 and ranks #1,954 of 2,006 schools in AZ.

Structured state assessment records for Cactus Middle School show 35% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 45% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 3.1 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 3.0
  • AZ avg 5.6

What Parents Should Know

Cactus Middle School runs 20.3:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.

60% of students at Cactus Middle School 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 metrics
Student Progress1.9Needs Improvement40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-5 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics3.9Needs Improvement35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency11% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency25% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency18% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)36% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-18.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile20th
Resources & Environment4.0Below Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio20.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,237
Chronic Absenteeism59.9%

Cactus Middle School — Students at Cactus Middle School score 18% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 36%).

How we calculate scores →

Test Scores AZ EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 35.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 44.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 28 test records from AZ state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
62%
ELA
79%
2010
Math
58%
ELA
77%
2011
Math
62%
ELA
77%
2012
Math
63%
ELA
78%
2013
Math
60%
ELA
77%
2014
Math
30%
ELA
29%
2015
Math
28%
ELA
27%
2016
Math
26%
ELA
28%
2017
Math
23%
ELA
27%
2018
Math
24%
ELA
31%
2019
Math
24%
ELA
31%
2020*
Math
11%
ELA
19%
2021*
Math
11%
ELA
19%
2022
Math
11%
ELA
25%

* 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: 1.9/10.

How Cactus Middle School Compares

See how Cactus Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.1/10
3th percentile in AZ
Academic
3.9/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
1.9/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
4.0/10
Below Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Teaching Staff
20:1 student-teacher ratio
37 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
59.9%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

1220 E KORTSEN RD, Casa Grande, AZ 85122

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Cactus Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Villago Middle School (rated 3.3/10, 2.5 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Casa Grande Middle School (rated 2.6/10, 1.9 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Casa Grande, see our Casa Grande schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Cholla Elementary School Casa Grande 0.2 mi 3.6
Legacy Traditional School - Casa Grande Maricopa 0.6 mi 7.3
Mission Heights Preparatory High School Phoenix 1.1 mi 7.3
Cottonwood Elementary School Casa Grande 1.1 mi 2.5
Ironwood School Casa Grande 1.3 mi 2.8
Desert Willow Elementary School Casa Grande 1.3 mi 5.7
Center for Online and Innovative Learning Casa Grande 1.8 mi 3.8
CGESD Online Learning Academy Casa Grande 1.8 mi 3.5
McCartney Ranch Elementary School Casa Grande 1.7 mi 3.8
Vista Grande High School Casa Grande 1.7 mi 5.1
CAVIT - Casa Grande Union High School Casa Grande 1.8 mi
Casa Grande Union High School Casa Grande 1.8 mi 5.4
The Grande Innovation Casa Grande 2.0 mi 7.7
Path to Potential Casa Grande 2.0 mi
Casa Grande Middle School Casa Grande 1.9 mi 2.6
Saguaro Elementary School Casa Grande 1.9 mi 3.1
PPEP TEC - Alice S. Paul Learning Center Tucson 2.1 mi 4.9
Villago Middle School Casa Grande 2.5 mi 3.3
Early Childhood Learning Center Casa Grande 2.5 mi 3.6
Palo Verde School Casa Grande 2.5 mi 3.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 85122 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$64,243

Median Home Value

$242,500

Median Rent

$1,289/mo

Population

58,328

College Educated

19.4%

Homeownership

69.2%

Avg Commute

23.4 min

Poverty Rate

14.9%

Median Age

36.4

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Cactus Canyon Junior High Apache Junction, AZ 3.2
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

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Cactus Middle School

What grades does Cactus Middle School serve?

Cactus Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Cactus Middle School?

Cactus Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 750 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Cactus Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at Cactus Middle School is 20.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Cactus Middle School rank in AZ?

Cactus Middle School ranks #1,954 of 2,006 schools in AZ.

What is Cactus Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Cactus Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.1 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 Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Cactus Middle School has 35% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 45% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Cactus Middle School a charter school?

No, Cactus Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Cactus Middle School a Title I school?

No, Cactus Middle School is not currently a Title I school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
17 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
32 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
750
Student-Teacher Ratio
20.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
37
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Pinal County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
59.9%

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