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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

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 metrics
Student Progress7.2Very Good40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2.24 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics8.9Excellent35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency59%
Reading/ELA Proficiency58%
Overall Proficiency59%
Expected (poverty-adj.)44%
vs. Expected+14.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile83th
Resources & Environment5.6Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio21.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,154

Explorer Middle School — Students at Explorer Middle School score 58% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 44%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

0.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores AZ EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 61.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 57.7%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from AZ state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
67%
ELA
62%
2021*
Math
57%
ELA
53%
2022
Math
59%
ELA
58%

* 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.

Overall Score
7.4/10
77th percentile in AZ
Academic
8.9/10
8.9/10
Growth
7.2/10
Above average
Environment
5.6/10
Above average

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
21 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
22 Minimal Transit
Bike Score
55 Bikeable
City Safety
High (3,139/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Phoenix). Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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 methodology

Related reading

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