Very Good
#462 of 2,000 schools in AZ
Top 23% in state
Explorer Middle School
Middle School · Paradise Valley Unified District (4241)
22401 N 40TH ST, Phoenix, AZ 85050
Enrollment
641
Student-Teacher
21.4:1
Score
7.4
Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
641
Student-Teacher
21.4:1
Score
7.4
Grades
7th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Phoenix
#70 of 398
public schools
Arizona middle schools
#32 of 218
In district
#26 of 44
Paradise Valley Unified District (4241)
Academic performance
8.9 / 10
Exceptional
About Explorer Middle School
Explorer Middle School serves 641 students in grades 7 and 8 in Phoenix, Arizona, with a student-teacher ratio of 21.4:1 and 30 full-time equivalent teachers. This regular public middle school demonstrates strong academic performance, earning a 7.3 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking in the 82nd percentile statewide at #376 out of 2,029 Arizona schools. The school's academic achievements are particularly noteworthy, with an impressive 8.7 out of 10 academic score.
Students show solid proficiency rates across core subjects, with 58% meeting or exceeding standards in English Language Arts and Reading, and 59% achieving proficiency in Mathematics. These performance levels reflect the school's commitment to helping middle school students build essential skills during these crucial developmental years. Explorer Middle School is situated in an affluent Phoenix neighborhood where families prioritize education, evidenced by the 57% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher.
The surrounding community in the 85050 ZIP code features a median household income of $133,455 and median home values of $481,400, with a notably low poverty rate of just 3.6% among the area's 31,425 residents. This supportive community environment, combined with the school's strong academic track record, creates an enriching educational setting within Arizona's largest city.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Explorer Middle School is 21.4:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Explorer Middle School — Students at Explorer Middle School score 58% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 44%).
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: 7.2/10.
How Explorer Middle School Compares
See how Explorer Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 67% (2019) to 59% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 62% (2019) to 58% (2022).
Location
22401 N 40TH ST, Phoenix, AZ 85050
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Explorer Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Sonoran Trails Middle School (rated 7.2/10, 3.4 miles away, in nearby Cave Creek), with a very similar rating. Another option is Mountain Trail Middle School (rated 6.6/10, 2.8 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Vista Verde Middle School (rated 5.9/10, 3.4 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Phoenix, see our Phoenix schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Wildfire Elementary School Phoenix | 0.4 mi | 8.9 |
| Desert Trails Elementary School Phoenix | 0.4 mi | 8.4 |
| Fireside Elementary School Phoenix | 1.0 mi | 9.0 |
| Pinnacle High School Phoenix | 1.4 mi | 8.5 |
| West-MEC - Pinnacle High School Phoenix | 1.4 mi | — |
| Sky Crossing Elementary School Phoenix | 1.4 mi | 9.2 |
| Quail Run Elementary School Phoenix | 2.3 mi | 8.6 |
| AAEC - Paradise Valley Phoenix | 2.5 mi | 7.0 |
| Milestones Charter School Phoenix | 2.6 mi | 7.9 |
| Copper Canyon Elementary School Scottsdale | 3.1 mi | 7.9 |
| West-MEC - Paradise Valley High School Phoenix | 3.3 mi | — |
| Sunset Canyon School Phoenix | 3.0 mi | 6.5 |
| Paradise Valley High School Phoenix | 3.3 mi | 8.5 |
| Mountain Trail Middle School Phoenix | 2.8 mi | 6.6 |
| Horseshoe Trails Elementary School Cave Creek | 3.3 mi | 6.4 |
| Boulder Creek Elementary School Phoenix | 2.9 mi | 9.1 |
| Sonoran Trails Middle School Cave Creek | 3.4 mi | 7.2 |
| PRIMROSE SCHOOL AT TATUM Cave Creek | 3.6 mi | — |
| BREAKTHROUGH ACADEMY- EAST CAMPUS Phoenix | 3.6 mi | — |
| Vista Verde Middle School Phoenix | 3.4 mi | 5.9 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 85050 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$137,389
Median Home Value
$564,200
Median Rent
$2,200/mo
Population
32,669
College Educated
57.7%
Homeownership
79.5%
Avg Commute
23.2 min
Poverty Rate
4.6%
Median Age
41.1
Community Profile
The community surrounding Explorer Middle School has a median household income of $137,389. It is a well-educated community where 58% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $564,200, with a median rent of $2,200/month. The local poverty rate of 4.6% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 23 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 |
|---|---|
| Ingleside Middle School Phoenix, AZ | 7.4 |
| Sahuarita Middle School Sahuarita, AZ | 7.5 |
| Snowflake Intermediate School Snowflake, AZ | 7.5 |
| Royal Palm Middle School Phoenix, AZ | 7.3 |
| Snowflake Junior High School Snowflake, AZ | 7.3 |
| Mohave Middle School Scottsdale, AZ | 7.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Explorer Middle School
What grades does Explorer Middle School serve?
Explorer Middle School serves students in grades 7th through 8th.
How many students attend Explorer Middle School?
Explorer Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 641 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Explorer Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at Explorer Middle School is 21.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Explorer Middle School rank in AZ?
Explorer Middle School is ranked #462 out of 2,000 schools in AZ.
What is Explorer Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Explorer Middle School has a composite rating of 7.4 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 Explorer Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Explorer Middle School has 61.0% math proficiency and 57.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Explorer Middle School a charter school?
No, Explorer Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Explorer Middle School a Title I school?
No, Explorer Middle School is not currently a Title I school.
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 7th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 641
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 21.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 30
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Maricopa County
- Phone
- (602) 449-4200
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Paradise Valley Unified District (4241)- District Enrollment
- 27,034
- Schools in District
- 45
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,848
- District Rank
- #26 of 44
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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