Very Good
#326 of 2,000 schools in AZ
Top 16% in state
Children First Leadership Academy
Elementary School · Edkey Inc. - Sequoia Ranch School (81052)
1460 S HORNE, Mesa, AZ 85204
Enrollment
121
Score
7.7
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
121
Score
7.7
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Mesa
#12 of 119
public schools
Arizona elementary schools
#246 of 1,216
School environment
9.9 / 10
Exceptional
About Children First Leadership Academy
Children First Leadership Academy is a charter school located in Mesa, Arizona, offering education from kindergarten through eighth grade. With an enrollment of 121 students, the school provides a small, nurturing environment where each child can receive individualized attention. While the student-teacher ratio is not reported, the school's focus is clearly on fostering leadership and academic development among its young students.
According to MySchoolScout, Children First Leadership Academy has a rating of 3.0 out of 10, placing it in the 7th percentile among Arizona schools. The academic score is 2.3 out of 10, with 17% of students proficient in ELA and 12% proficient in math. Despite these figures, the school remains committed to helping its students achieve their full potential.
The school is situated in a large city with a vibrant community. The neighborhood around Children First Leadership Academy has a median household income of $65,836 and a median home value of $277,100. About 19% of residents have a bachelor's degree or higher, and the poverty rate is 15.8%.
This setting provides a diverse and supportive backdrop for the students at Children First Leadership Academy.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 121 students, Children First Leadership Academy is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
While current test scores at Children First Leadership Academy are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
Children First Leadership Academy is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
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Children First Leadership Academy — Students at Children First Leadership Academy score 14% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 38%).
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
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 9.7/10.
How Children First Leadership Academy Compares
See how Children First Leadership Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 2.5% (2019) to 12% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 7.5% (2019) to 17% (2022).
Location
1460 S HORNE, Mesa, AZ 85204
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Children First Leadership Academy may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Augustus H. Shaw Montessori (rated 8.0/10, 1.2 miles away, in nearby Phoenix), with a very similar rating. Another option is Faith North Early Childhood Learning Center (rated 7.6/10, 1.4 miles away, in nearby Phoenix), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Garfield School (rated 7.3/10, 1.8 miles away, in nearby Phoenix), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Mesa, see our Mesa schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.2 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 85204 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$69,474
Median Home Value
$296,000
Median Rent
$1,426/mo
Population
65,018
College Educated
19.6%
Homeownership
57.9%
Avg Commute
24.7 min
Poverty Rate
14.7%
Median Age
33.4
Community Profile
The community surrounding Children First Leadership Academy has a median household income of $69,474. It is a community where 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $296,000, with a median rent of $1,426/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.7%. The average commute for residents is 25 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 |
|---|---|
| Aguila Elementary School Aguila, AZ | 7.7 |
| BAYER PRIVATE SCHOOL Glendale, AZ | 7.7 |
| Haven Montessori Charter School Flagstaff, AZ | 7.7 |
| New Horizon School for the Performing Arts Mesa, AZ | 7.7 |
| Pomerene Elementary School Pomerene, AZ | 7.7 |
| Sopori Elementary School Sahuarita, AZ | 7.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Children First Leadership Academy
What grades does Children First Leadership Academy serve?
Children First Leadership Academy serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.
How many students attend Children First Leadership Academy?
Children First Leadership Academy has an enrollment of approximately 121 students.
How does Children First Leadership Academy rank in AZ?
Children First Leadership Academy is ranked #326 out of 2,000 schools in AZ.
What is Children First Leadership Academy's MySchoolScout rating?
Children First Leadership Academy has a composite rating of 7.7 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 Children First Leadership Academy?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Children First Leadership Academy has 5.7% math proficiency and 9.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Children First Leadership Academy a charter school?
Yes, Children First Leadership Academy is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.
Is Children First Leadership Academy a Title I school?
No, Children First Leadership Academy is not currently a Title I school.
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 8th
- Enrollment
- 121
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Maricopa County
- Phone
- (602) 712-0500
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Edkey Inc. - Sequoia Ranch School (81052)- District Enrollment
- 121
- Schools in District
- 1
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $25,520
- District Rank
- #1 of 1
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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