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Average

#1278 of 2,006 schools in AZ

L. Thomas Heck Middle School

Middle School · Litchfield Elementary District (4281)

272 E SAGEBRUSH ST, Litchfield Park, AZ 85340

Enrollment

544

Student-Teacher

15.5:1

Score

5.6

Grades

5th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Arizona schools

#1,278 of 2,006

In Litchfield Park

#16 of 18

public schools

In district

#14 of 15

Litchfield Elementary District (4281)

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L. Thomas Heck Middle School

5.6/10

Middle School in Litchfield Park · grades 5th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Crown Charter School

4.7/10

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

Heritage Elementary School

7.7/10

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

About L. Thomas Heck Middle School

L. Thomas Heck Middle School is a public middle school in Litchfield Park, AZ, part of Litchfield Elementary District (4281). L.

Thomas Heck Middle School serves approximately 544 students, and covers grades 5th-8th, and has a 15.5:1 student-teacher ratio. L. Thomas Heck Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.6 out of 10 and ranks #1,278 of 2,006 schools in AZ.

Structured state assessment records for L. Thomas Heck Middle School show 48% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 59% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares0.6 pts below district
  • This school 5.6 · Average
  • District avg 6.2
  • AZ avg 5.6

What Parents Should Know

55% of students at L. Thomas Heck 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 Progress5.0Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-3.63 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics5.7Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency25% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency38% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency32% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)45% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-13.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile40th
Resources & Environment6.6Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$9,992
Chronic Absenteeism55.3%

L. Thomas Heck Middle School — Students at L. Thomas Heck Middle School score 32% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).

How we calculate scores →

Test Scores AZ EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 47.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 58.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 28 test records from AZ state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
62%
ELA
82%
2010
Math
60%
ELA
81%
2011
Math
66%
ELA
83%
2012
Math
71%
ELA
87%
2013
Math
69%
ELA
83%
2014
Math
40%
ELA
44%
2015
Math
50%
ELA
46%
2016
Math
43%
ELA
49%
2017
Math
44%
ELA
49%
2018
Math
46%
ELA
49%
2019
Math
46%
ELA
49%
2020*
Math
24%
ELA
40%
2021*
Math
24%
ELA
40%
2022
Math
25%
ELA
38%

* 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: 5.0/10.

How L. Thomas Heck Middle School Compares

See how L. Thomas Heck Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.6/10
36th percentile in AZ
Academic
5.7/10
Average
Growth
5.0/10
Average
Environment
6.6/10
Average

Funding & Resources

Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
35 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
55.3%

Location

272 E SAGEBRUSH ST, Litchfield Park, AZ 85340

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering L. Thomas Heck Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Arizona Agribusiness & Equine Center - Estrella (rated 8.3/10, 2.8 miles away, in nearby Phoenix), which scores notably higher. Another option is Heritage Elementary School (rated 7.7/10, 0.6 miles away, in nearby Glendale), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Dreaming Summit Elementary (rated 7.3/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Litchfield Park, see our Litchfield Park schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Crown Charter School Litchfield Park 0.4 mi 4.7
Heritage Elementary School Glendale 0.6 mi 7.7
Barbara B. Robey Elementary School Litchfield Park 0.8 mi 5.9
Dreaming Summit Elementary Litchfield Park 1.3 mi 7.3
Luke Elementary School Glendale 1.5 mi 6.8
VISION CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Glendale 1.4 mi 6.8
Wigwam Creek Middle School Litchfield Park 1.7 mi 5.3
West-MEC - Central Campus Glendale 2.1 mi
TRINITY LUTHERAN SCHOOL Litchfield Park 2.4 mi 6.8
Corte Sierra Elementary School Litchfield Park 2.6 mi 6.8
AZ ASPIRE ACADEMY Litchfield Park 2.7 mi 3.3
Arizona Agribusiness & Equine Center - Estrella Phoenix 2.8 mi 8.3
Copper King Elementary Phoenix 2.5 mi 4.7
Litchfield Elementary School Litchfield Park 2.8 mi 7.1
Country Meadows Elementary School Peoria 2.9 mi 4.2
Villa De Paz Elementary School Phoenix 2.7 mi 4.1
West-MEC Estrella Mountain Community College Avondale 3.2 mi
West-MEC - West View High School Glendale 3.1 mi
Westview High School Avondale 3.1 mi 5.4
ST PETER'S EPISCOPAL MONTESSORI SCHOOL Litchfield Park 3.1 mi 7.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 85340 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$117,193

Median Home Value

$499,700

Median Rent

$1,924/mo

Population

38,873

College Educated

37.4%

Homeownership

81.6%

Avg Commute

27.8 min

Poverty Rate

9.1%

Median Age

36.7

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Avondale Middle School Avondale, AZ 5.6
Desert Sky Middle School Glendale, AZ 5.6
Kings Ridge School Phoenix, AZ 5.6
Ray Borane Middle School Douglas, AZ 5.6
Joyce Clark Middle School Sierra Vista, AZ 5.5
ASU Preparatory Academy - Phoenix Middle School Phoenix, AZ 5.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about L. Thomas Heck Middle School

What grades does L. Thomas Heck Middle School serve?

L. Thomas Heck Middle School serves students in grades 5th through 8th.

How many students attend L. Thomas Heck Middle School?

L. Thomas Heck Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 544 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at L. Thomas Heck Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at L. Thomas Heck Middle School is 15.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does L. Thomas Heck Middle School rank in AZ?

L. Thomas Heck Middle School ranks #1,278 of 2,006 schools in AZ.

What is L. Thomas Heck Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

L. Thomas Heck Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.6 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 L. Thomas Heck Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, L. Thomas Heck Middle School has 48% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 59% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is L. Thomas Heck Middle School a charter school?

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

Is L. Thomas Heck Middle School a Title I school?

No, L. Thomas Heck Middle School is not currently a Title I school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
6 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
34 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
5th – 8th
Enrollment
544
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
35
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Maricopa County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
55.3%

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