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Needs Improvement

#1876 of 2,006 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

3.7

Grades

7th – 9th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Arizona schools

#1,876 of 2,006

In Mesa

#118 of 129

public schools

In district

#69 of 76

Mesa Unified District (4235)

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Carson Junior High School

3.7/10

Middle School in Mesa · grades 7th – 9th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Emerson Elementary School

5.4/10

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

Westwood High School

6.2/10

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

About Carson Junior High School

Carson Junior High School is a public middle school in Mesa, AZ, part of Mesa Unified District (4235). Carson Junior High School serves approximately 922 students, and covers grades 7th-9th, and has a 16.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Carson Junior High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.7 out of 10 and ranks #1,876 of 2,006 schools in AZ.

Structured state assessment records for Carson Junior High School show 27% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 37% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares1.3 pts below district
  • This school 3.7 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 5.0
  • AZ avg 5.6

What Parents Should Know

73% of students at Carson Junior High 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 Progress3.7Needs Improvement40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-4.05 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics2.5Needs Improvement35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency7% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency16% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency12% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)37% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-25.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile8th
Resources & Environment5.3Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,121
Chronic Absenteeism72.5%

Carson Junior High School — Students at Carson Junior High School score 12% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 37%).

How we calculate scores →

Test Scores AZ EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 27.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 37.2% (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
43%
ELA
65%
2010
Math
46%
ELA
68%
2011
Math
44%
ELA
69%
2012
Math
49%
ELA
72%
2013
Math
45%
ELA
72%
2014
Math
15%
ELA
21%
2015
Math
14%
ELA
18%
2016
Math
20%
ELA
22%
2017
Math
25%
ELA
24%
2018
Math
26%
ELA
22%
2019
Math
26%
ELA
22%
2020*
Math
11%
ELA
15%
2021*
Math
11%
ELA
15%
2022
Math
7%
ELA
16%

* 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: 3.7/10.

How Carson Junior High School Compares

See how Carson Junior High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.7/10
7th percentile in AZ
Academic
2.5/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
3.7/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
5.3/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
55 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
72.5%

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

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. EVIT - East Valley Institute of Technology (rated 9.1/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Franklin Accelerated Academy - Downtown Campus (rated 8.3/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, HEARTWOOD MONTESSORI (rated 8.2/10, 1.7 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 5.4
Westwood High School Mesa 0.3 mi 6.2
Concordia Charter School Mesa 0.6 mi 7.1
Early Education Center Mesa 0.8 mi 4.6
Whittier Elementary School Mesa 0.8 mi 4.0
Mesa Distance Learning Program Mesa 0.9 mi 5.5
EVIT - East Valley Institute of Technology Mesa 1.1 mi 9.1
Guerrero Elementary School Mesa 1.3 mi 4.4
QUEEN OF PEACE CATHOLIC SCHOOL Mesa 1.1 mi 5.4
Webster Elementary School Mesa 1.2 mi 4.1
STEP UP SCHOOL Mesa 1.2 mi 4.2
Heritage Academy Mesa 1.3 mi 7.5
East Valley Academy Mesa 1.8 mi 3.6
Mesa Arts Academy Mesa 1.7 mi 3.1
Franklin Accelerated Academy - Downtown Campus Mesa 1.7 mi 8.3
Adams Elementary School Mesa 1.8 mi 4.9
Redbird Elementary School Mesa 2.0 mi 3.9
Eisenhower Center for Innovation Mesa 1.7 mi 5.4
Whitman Elementary School Mesa 1.9 mi 6.8
HEARTWOOD MONTESSORI Mesa 1.7 mi 8.2

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Santa Maria Middle School Phoenix, AZ 3.8
Pistor Middle School Tucson, AZ 3.6
Geneva Epps Mosley Middle School Tempe, AZ 3.9
Thunderbolt Middle School Lake Havasu City, AZ 3.9
Estrella Middle School Phoenix, AZ 4.0
Challenger Middle School Tucson, AZ 3.4

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 ranks #1,876 of 2,006 schools in AZ.

What is Carson Junior High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Carson Junior High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.7 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 Carson Junior High School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Carson Junior High School has 27% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 37% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
69 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
46 Some Transit
Bike Score
74 Very Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
72.5%

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