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Very Good

#409 of 2,000 schools in AZ

Top 20% in state

Imagine East Mesa Middle

Middle School · Imagine Middle at East Mesa Inc. (88369)

18052 N BLACK CANYON HWY, Phoenix, AZ 85053

Charter

Enrollment

140

Score

7.5

Grades

7th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Phoenix

#60 of 398

public schools

Arizona middle schools

#27 of 218

Academic growth

9.5 / 10

Exceptional

About Imagine East Mesa Middle

Imagine East Mesa Middle serves 140 students in grades 7-8 as a charter middle school in Phoenix, Arizona. The school has earned a solid 7.3 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranks #284 out of 2,029 Arizona schools, placing it in the 86th percentile statewide. This strong performance reflects the school's commitment to middle-grade education during these crucial transitional years.

Academically, Imagine East Mesa Middle shows balanced results with 47% of students achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and 39% reaching proficiency in mathematics. The school's 7.5 academic score indicates steady educational programming that serves its diverse student body well. The school operates in Phoenix's 85053 ZIP code area, a community with a median household income of $65,933 and median home values around $296,100.

About 25% of neighborhood residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while the poverty rate stands at 14.5%. This middle-income community of nearly 29,000 residents provides a stable environment for the school's operations. As a charter school located on North Black Canyon Highway, Imagine East Mesa Middle offers families an alternative public education option within Phoenix's large urban educational landscape.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 140 students, Imagine East Mesa Middle 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.

Imagine East Mesa Middle 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 metrics
Student Progress9.5Exceptional40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+1.41 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendImproving
Academics8.2Excellent35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency37%
Reading/ELA Proficiency57%
Overall Proficiency47%
Expected (poverty-adj.)38%
vs. Expected+9.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile72th
Resources & Environment3.4Fair25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Per-Pupil Spending$9,621

Imagine East Mesa Middle — Students at Imagine East Mesa Middle score 47% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 38%).

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 38.7%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 47.0%
School
State
N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
42%
ELA
42%
2021*
Math
37%
ELA
42%
2022
Math
37%
ELA
57%

* 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: 9.5/10.

How Imagine East Mesa Middle Compares

See how Imagine East Mesa Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.5/10
80th percentile in AZ
Academic
8.2/10
8.2/10
Growth
9.5/10
Above average
Environment
3.4/10
Below average

Location

18052 N BLACK CANYON HWY, Phoenix, AZ 85053

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Imagine East Mesa Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Smith Junior High School (rated 6.8/10, 2.7 miles away, in nearby Mesa), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Desert Ridge Jr. High (rated 6.6/10, 1.6 miles away, in nearby Mesa), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Phoenix, see our Phoenix schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Imagine East Mesa Elementary Phoenix 0.0 mi 3.2
Stevenson Elementary School Mesa 0.8 mi 3.5
Skyline High School Mesa 0.7 mi 6.2
EVIT - Skyline High School Mesa 0.7 mi
Patterson Elementary Mesa 1.3 mi 5.2
Desert Ridge High Mesa 1.5 mi 6.9
Desert Ridge Jr. High Mesa 1.6 mi 6.6
Augusta Ranch Elementary Mesa 1.8 mi 8.5
Leading Edge Academy at East Mesa Gilbert 2.1 mi 5.2
Canyon Rim Elementary Mesa 2.2 mi 8.9
Taft Elementary School Mesa 2.4 mi 5.9
Legacy Traditional School - East Mesa Chandler 2.3 mi 4.2
ADOBE ADVENTIST CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Mesa 2.7 mi
Smith Junior High School Mesa 2.7 mi 6.8
Brinton Elementary Mesa 2.3 mi 4.9
MESA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Mesa 2.7 mi 6.8
Cambridge Academy East Mesa 3.1 mi 5.9
Sousa Elementary School Mesa 3.1 mi 4.4
Boulder Creek Elementary Mesa 3.1 mi 8.1
Noah Webster Schools- Mesa Mesa 3.2 mi 5.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 85053 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$66,870

Median Home Value

$329,500

Median Rent

$1,385/mo

Population

29,719

College Educated

25.9%

Homeownership

61.4%

Avg Commute

29.8 min

Poverty Rate

13.8%

Median Age

36.8

Community Profile

The community surrounding Imagine East Mesa Middle has a median household income of $66,870. It is an area where 26% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $329,500, with a median rent of $1,385/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.8%. The average commute for residents is 30 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
Newell Barney College Preparatory School Queen Creek, AZ 7.8
Altar Valley Middle School Tucson, AZ 7.1
Sanders Middle School Sanders, AZ 7.0
Capps Elementary School Heber, AZ 6.9
Vulture Peak Middle School Wickenburg, AZ 8.1
Baboquivari Middle School Sells, AZ 6.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Imagine East Mesa Middle

What grades does Imagine East Mesa Middle serve?

Imagine East Mesa Middle serves students in grades 7th through 8th.

How many students attend Imagine East Mesa Middle?

Imagine East Mesa Middle has an enrollment of approximately 140 students.

How does Imagine East Mesa Middle rank in AZ?

Imagine East Mesa Middle is ranked #409 out of 2,000 schools in AZ.

What is Imagine East Mesa Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Imagine East Mesa Middle has a composite rating of 7.5 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 Imagine East Mesa Middle?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Imagine East Mesa Middle has 38.7% math proficiency and 47.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Imagine East Mesa Middle a charter school?

Yes, Imagine East Mesa Middle is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.

Is Imagine East Mesa Middle a Title I school?

No, Imagine East Mesa Middle is not currently a Title I school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
22 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
0 Minimal Transit
Bike Score
32 Somewhat 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
140
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Maricopa County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Imagine Middle at East Mesa Inc. (88369)
District Enrollment
140
Schools in District
1
Per-Pupil Spending
$9,767
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 methodology

Related reading

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