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Below Average

#1697 of 2,000 schools in AZ

Imagine Surprise Middle

Middle School · Imagine Middle at Surprise Inc. (88372)

18052 N BLACK CANYON HWY, Phoenix, AZ 85053

Charter

Enrollment

268

Score

4.7

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Phoenix

#331 of 398

public schools

Arizona middle schools

#197 of 218

About Imagine Surprise Middle

Imagine Surprise Middle is a charter school in Phoenix, Arizona, serving students in grades 6 through 8. With an enrollment of 268 students, the school is part of a large suburban setting, offering a variety of programs and activities within a supportive community environment. Although the student-teacher ratio is not reported, the school works closely with its diverse student body to foster a learning atmosphere that encourages growth and development.

According to MySchoolScout, Imagine Surprise Middle has a rating of 4.8 out of 10, placing it in the 38th percentile among Arizona schools. The school's academic performance, as measured by proficiency in ELA/Reading and Math, shows 37% and 21% of students, respectively, are proficient or above. While these scores indicate room for improvement, the school remains committed to helping students achieve their full potential.

Imagine Surprise Middle is situated in a neighborhood with a median household income of $65,933 and a median home value of $296,100. The area has a poverty rate of 14.5% and a college-educated population of 25% with a bachelor's degree or higher. The school is an integral part of this vibrant suburban community, offering students a robust educational experience in a supportive setting.

What Parents Should Know

Imagine Surprise 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 Progress3.3Fair40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-5.59 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics5.9Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency21%
Reading/ELA Proficiency37%
Overall Proficiency29%
Expected (poverty-adj.)38%
vs. Expected-9.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile42th
Resources & Environment5.1Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Per-Pupil Spending$12,058

Imagine Surprise Middle — Students at Imagine Surprise Middle score 29% proficient, which is below 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 31.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 40.3%
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
44%
ELA
47%
2021*
Math
28%
ELA
37%
2022
Math
21%
ELA
37%

* 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: 3.3/10.

How Imagine Surprise Middle Compares

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

Overall Score
4.7/10
15th percentile in AZ
Academic
5.9/10
5.9/10
Growth
3.3/10
Below average
Environment
5.1/10
Above average

Location

18052 N BLACK CANYON HWY, Phoenix, AZ 85053

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Imagine Surprise Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Freedom Traditional Academy (rated 9.0/10, 1.1 miles away, in nearby Surprise), which scores notably higher. Another option is Highland Prep (rated 8.2/10, 0.4 miles away, in nearby Surprise), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Countryside Elementary School (rated 8.2/10, 0.5 miles away, in nearby Surprise), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Phoenix, see our Phoenix schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Imagine Prep Surprise Phoenix 0.0 mi 6.6
Calibre Academy Surprise Surprise 0.1 mi 3.9
Highland Prep Surprise 0.4 mi 8.2
Countryside Elementary School Surprise 0.5 mi 8.2
Paradise Honors Elementary School Surprise 0.8 mi 7.1
West-MEC - Valley Vista High School Surprise 0.7 mi
Valley Vista High School Surprise 0.7 mi 5.8
Freedom Traditional Academy Surprise 1.1 mi 9.0
Ashton Ranch Middle School Surprise 1.0 mi 7.3
ThrivePoint High School at Surprise Glendale 1.2 mi 4.0
Marley Park Elementary Surprise 1.3 mi 6.2
FOURTEENSIX CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Surprise 1.6 mi 6.6
Kingswood Elementary School Surprise 1.7 mi 7.7
Legacy Traditional School - Surprise Surprise 1.8 mi 5.3
Cimarron Springs Middle School Surprise 1.8 mi 6.0
Sonoran Heights Middle School Surprise 2.2 mi 6.4
Imagine Rosefield Surprise 2.1 mi 6.7
Rancho Gabriela Surprise 2.2 mi 6.7
Canyon Ridge School Surprise 2.3 mi 7.8
Legacy Traditional School - West Surprise Chandler 2.5 mi 7.1

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 Surprise 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
Willcox Middle School Willcox, AZ 4.7
South Valley Prep and Arts School Phoenix, AZ 4.8
Bradshaw Mountain Middle School Dewey-Humboldt, AZ 4.9
Acorn Montessori Charter School Prescott Valley, AZ 4.4
San Carlos Middle School San Carlos, AZ 5.0
Camp Verde Middle School Camp Verde, AZ 5.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Imagine Surprise Middle

What grades does Imagine Surprise Middle serve?

Imagine Surprise Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Imagine Surprise Middle?

Imagine Surprise Middle has an enrollment of approximately 268 students.

How does Imagine Surprise Middle rank in AZ?

Imagine Surprise Middle is ranked #1697 out of 2,000 schools in AZ.

What is Imagine Surprise Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Imagine Surprise Middle has a composite rating of 4.7 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 Imagine Surprise Middle?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Imagine Surprise Middle has 31.0% math proficiency and 40.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Imagine Surprise Middle a charter school?

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

Is Imagine Surprise Middle a Title I school?

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

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
High (3,139/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
268
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Maricopa County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Imagine Middle at Surprise Inc. (88372)
District Enrollment
268
Schools in District
1
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,125
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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