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Very Good

#538 of 2,006 schools in AZ

Top 27% in state

Cooley Middle School

Middle School · Higley Unified School District (4248)

2935 S RECKER RD, Gilbert, AZ 85295

Enrollment

850

Student-Teacher

17.7:1

Score

7.5

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Arizona schools

#538 of 2,006

In Gilbert

#44 of 67

public schools

In district

#12 of 16

Higley Unified School District (4248)

Academic growth

8.3 / 10

Excellent

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Cooley Middle School

7.5/10

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

Elona P. Cooley Early Child Development Center

6.6/10

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

Learning Foundation and Performing Arts Warner

7.1/10

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

About Cooley Middle School

Cooley Middle School is a public middle school in Gilbert, AZ, part of Higley Unified School District (4248). Cooley Middle School serves approximately 850 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 17.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Cooley Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.5 out of 10 and ranks #538 of 2,006 schools in AZ.

Structured state assessment records for Cooley Middle School show 55% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2013-2022) and 56% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2013-2022).

How it compares0.3 pts below district
  • This school 7.5 · Very Good
  • District avg 7.8
  • AZ avg 5.6

What Parents Should Know

43% of students at Cooley 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 Progress8.3Excellent40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data10
Annual Change-2.29 pts/yr
Data Period2013–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics7.5Very Good35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency44% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency49% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency47% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)49% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-2.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile63th
Resources & Environment6.2Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$9,611
Chronic Absenteeism43.1%

Cooley Middle School — Students at Cooley Middle School score 46% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 49%).

How we calculate scores →

Test Scores AZ EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 54.8% (multi-year average, 2013-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 56.4% (multi-year average, 2013-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 20 test records from AZ state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2013
Math
78%
ELA
91%
2014
Math
45%
ELA
43%
2015
Math
56%
ELA
58%
2016
Math
61%
ELA
63%
2017
Math
56%
ELA
56%
2018
Math
53%
ELA
58%
2019
Math
53%
ELA
58%
2020*
Math
51%
ELA
44%
2021*
Math
51%
ELA
44%
2022
Math
44%
ELA
49%

* 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: 8.3/10.

How Cooley Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
7.5/10
73th percentile in AZ
Academic
7.5/10
Very Good
Growth
8.3/10
Excellent
Environment
6.2/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
48 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
43.1%

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

2935 S RECKER RD, Gilbert, AZ 85295

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Cooley Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. ASU Preparatory Academy-Polytechnic Middle School (rated 8.9/10, 2.1 miles away, in nearby Mesa), which scores notably higher. Another option is Higley Traditional Academy (rated 8.6/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Highland Park Elementary (rated 8.4/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Gilbert, see our Gilbert schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Elona P. Cooley Early Child Development Center Gilbert 0.1 mi 6.6
Learning Foundation and Performing Arts Warner Gilbert 0.3 mi 7.1
Learning Foundation and Performing Arts Gilbert Gilbert 0.4 mi 5.2
CREO MONTESSORI SCHOOL Gilbert 0.8 mi 7.7
American Leadership Academy Gilbert North K-12 Chandler 1.0 mi 7.6
San Tan Charter School Gilbert 1.3 mi 5.3
GILBERT CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS Gilbert 1.3 mi 5.8
Gateway Pointe Elementary Gilbert 1.5 mi 7.3
Williams Field High School Gilbert 1.5 mi 7.7
Higley Traditional Academy Gilbert 1.6 mi 8.6
Highland Park Elementary Gilbert 1.7 mi 8.4
AMERICAN LEADERSHIP ACADEMY VIRTUAL Mesa 1.6 mi 4.7
Leman Academy of Excellence East Mesa Tucson 1.7 mi 4.1
Legacy Traditional School - Gilbert Chandler 2.1 mi 8.3
Chaparral Elementary School Gilbert 2.2 mi 8.1
Freedom Prep Academy - Mesa Gilbert 2.1 mi 2.0
EVIT - Highland High School Gilbert 2.3 mi
Highland High School Gilbert 2.3 mi 7.8
ASU Preparatory Academy-Polytechnic Elementary Mesa 2.1 mi 8.1
ASU Preparatory Academy-Polytechnic Middle School Mesa 2.1 mi 8.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 85295 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$116,288

Median Home Value

$527,400

Median Rent

$1,965/mo

Population

54,697

College Educated

49.4%

Homeownership

64.1%

Avg Commute

26.8 min

Poverty Rate

3.8%

Median Age

31.4

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Explorer Middle School Phoenix, AZ 7.5
South Valley Jr. High Gilbert, AZ 7.5
Stapley Junior High School Mesa, AZ 7.5
Corona Foothills Middle School Corona De Tucson, AZ 7.4
Desert Shadows Middle School Scottsdale, AZ 7.4
Mountainside Middle School Scottsdale, AZ 7.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Cooley Middle School

What grades does Cooley Middle School serve?

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

How many students attend Cooley Middle School?

Cooley Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 850 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Cooley Middle School is 17.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Cooley Middle School rank in AZ?

Cooley Middle School ranks #538 of 2,006 schools in AZ.

What is Cooley Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Cooley Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.5 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 Cooley Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Cooley Middle School has 55% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2013-2022) and 56% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2013-2022).

Is Cooley Middle School a charter school?

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

Is Cooley Middle School a Title I school?

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

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
7 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
0 Minimal Transit
Bike Score
41 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
850
Student-Teacher Ratio
17.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
48
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Maricopa County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
43.1%

District

Higley Unified School District (4248)
District Enrollment
12,887
Schools in District
16
Per-Pupil Spending
$9,611
District Rank
#12 of 16

How we rate schools

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