Below Average
#1715 of 2,000 schools in AZ
Carson Junior High School
Middle School · Mesa Unified District (4235)
525 N WESTWOOD, Mesa, AZ 85201
Enrollment
922
Student-Teacher
16.8:1
Score
4.7
Grades
7th – 9th
Enrollment
922
Student-Teacher
16.8:1
Score
4.7
Grades
7th – 9th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Mesa
#98 of 119
public schools
Arizona middle schools
#200 of 218
In district
#63 of 76
Mesa Unified District (4235)
School environment
7.8 / 10
Very strong
About Carson Junior High School
Carson Junior High School serves 922 students in grades 7-9 in Mesa, Arizona, operating as a regular public middle school with 55 full-time teachers and a student-teacher ratio of 16.8:1. The school currently ranks in the 14th percentile among Arizona middle schools, with academic performance showing significant room for growth. Test results indicate that 16% of students demonstrate proficiency in English Language Arts and Reading, while 7% meet proficiency standards in mathematics.
These scores reflect ongoing challenges that the school community is working to address through continued focus on student development and academic support. The school draws from a diverse neighborhood where the median household income is $57,684 and median home values average $251,800. About one in four residents holds a bachelor's degree or higher, while the area maintains a poverty rate of 16.9%.
This zip code of 85201 is home to over 51,000 residents, creating a substantial community presence. Carson Junior High operates within Mesa's large city environment, providing students with access to urban resources and opportunities while serving families from varied socioeconomic backgrounds in this established Arizona community.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Carson Junior High School — Students at Carson Junior High School score 12% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 37%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
0.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores AZ EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 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: 4.7/10.
How Carson Junior High School Compares
See how Carson Junior High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 26% (2019) to 7% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 22% (2019) to 16% (2022).
Location
525 N WESTWOOD, Mesa, AZ 85201
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Carson Junior High School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. HEARTWOOD MONTESSORI (rated 8.3/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Westwood High School (rated 8.0/10, 0.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Mesa Distance Learning Program (rated 7.3/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Mesa, see our Mesa schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Emerson Elementary School Mesa | 0.2 mi | 4.7 |
| Westwood High School Mesa | 0.3 mi | 8.0 |
| Concordia Charter School Mesa | 0.6 mi | 4.8 |
| Early Education Center Mesa | 0.8 mi | 6.1 |
| Whittier Elementary School Mesa | 0.8 mi | 4.2 |
| Mesa Distance Learning Program Mesa | 0.9 mi | 7.3 |
| EVIT - East Valley Institute of Technology Mesa | 1.1 mi | — |
| Guerrero Elementary School Mesa | 1.3 mi | 5.9 |
| QUEEN OF PEACE CATHOLIC SCHOOL Mesa | 1.1 mi | 5.4 |
| Webster Elementary School Mesa | 1.2 mi | 6.5 |
| STEP UP SCHOOL Mesa | 1.2 mi | 5.5 |
| Heritage Academy Mesa | 1.3 mi | 5.8 |
| East Valley Academy Mesa | 1.8 mi | 6.8 |
| Mesa Arts Academy Mesa | 1.7 mi | 3.9 |
| Franklin Accelerated Academy - Downtown Campus Mesa | 1.7 mi | 6.7 |
| Adams Elementary School Mesa | 1.8 mi | 4.9 |
| Redbird Elementary School Mesa | 2.0 mi | 3.7 |
| Eisenhower Center for Innovation Mesa | 1.7 mi | 5.2 |
| Whitman Elementary School Mesa | 1.9 mi | 5.0 |
| HEARTWOOD MONTESSORI Mesa | 1.7 mi | 8.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 85201 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$63,725
Median Home Value
$292,600
Median Rent
$1,349/mo
Population
52,484
College Educated
26.5%
Homeownership
39%
Avg Commute
24 min
Poverty Rate
15.5%
Median Age
32.1
Community Profile
The community surrounding Carson Junior High School has a median household income of $63,725. It is an area where 27% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $292,600, with a median rent of $1,349/month. The area has a poverty rate of 15.5%. The average commute for residents is 24 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Centennial Middle School Yuma, AZ | 4.7 |
| Gallego Intermediate Fine Arts Magnet School Tucson, AZ | 4.7 |
| Sierra 2-8 School Tucson, AZ | 4.7 |
| Sinagua Middle School Flagstaff, AZ | 4.7 |
| Casa Grande Middle School Casa Grande, AZ | 4.9 |
| Madison Meadows School Phoenix, AZ | 4.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Carson Junior High School
What grades does Carson Junior High School serve?
Carson Junior High School serves students in grades 7th through 9th.
How many students attend Carson Junior High School?
Carson Junior High School has an enrollment of approximately 922 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Carson Junior High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Carson Junior High School is 16.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Carson Junior High School rank in AZ?
Carson Junior High School is ranked #1715 out of 2,000 schools in AZ.
What is Carson Junior High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Carson Junior High School has a composite rating of 4.7 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Carson Junior High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Carson Junior High School has 14.7% math proficiency and 17.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Carson Junior High School a charter school?
No, Carson Junior High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Carson Junior High School a Title I school?
No, Carson Junior High School is not currently a Title I school.
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (1,955/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Mesa). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 7th – 9th
- Enrollment
- 922
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 55
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Maricopa County
- Phone
- (480) 472-2900
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Mesa Unified District (4235)- District Enrollment
- 57,204
- Schools in District
- 78
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,121
- District Rank
- #63 of 76
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
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