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Very Good

#285 of 2,000 schools in AZ

Top 14% in state

New School for the Arts

High School · New School For The Arts (4316)

1216 E APACHE BLVD, Tempe, AZ 85281

Charter

Enrollment

190

Score

7.8

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Tempe

#6 of 47

public schools

Arizona high schools

#46 of 429

Academic growth

9.6 / 10

Exceptional

About New School for the Arts

New School for the Arts serves 190 students in grades 9-12 as a charter high school in Tempe, Arizona. This specialized institution has earned recognition for its strong academic performance, ranking #351 out of 2029 Arizona schools and placing in the 83rd percentile statewide with a solid 7.3 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating. The school demonstrates impressive academic achievement with 64% of students performing at proficient or above levels in both English Language Arts and mathematics across all grade levels.

This consistent performance across core subjects reflects the school's commitment to maintaining high educational standards while nurturing artistic talents. Located on East Apache Boulevard in Tempe, the school serves a diverse community where 48% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, indicating strong educational values in the surrounding area. The neighborhood reflects a mix of economic backgrounds, with a median household income of $55,572 and home values averaging $333,600.

As a charter school focused on the arts, this institution likely attracts students with creative interests while maintaining academic rigor. The school's strong state ranking suggests it successfully balances artistic education with traditional academic preparation. New School for the Arts operates within Tempe's dynamic mid-size city environment, offering students access to both educational excellence and cultural opportunities.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 190 students, New School for the Arts 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.

New School for the Arts 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 · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress9.6Exceptional25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+1.75 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendImproving
Academics9.4Exceptional25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency64.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency64.5%
Overall Proficiency65%
Expected (poverty-adj.)38%
vs. Expected+26.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile91th
College Readiness7.1Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment4.7Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Per-Pupil Spending$11,413

New School for the Arts — Students at New School for the Arts score 64% 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 44.7%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 51.2%
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
54.5%
ELA
54.5%
2021*
Math
15%
ELA
34.5%
2022
Math
64.5%
ELA
64.5%

* 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: 9.6/10.

How New School for the Arts Compares

See how New School for the Arts performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.8/10
86th percentile in AZ
Academic
9.4/10
9.4/10
Growth
9.6/10
Above average
Environment
4.7/10
Below average

Location

1216 E APACHE BLVD, Tempe, AZ 85281

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering New School for the Arts may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Tempe Preparatory Academy (rated 7.0/10, 1.6 miles away), with a comparable rating. Another option is Mcclintock High School (rated 6.0/10, 1.4 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, Tempe High School (rated 6.0/10, 1.4 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Tempe, see our Tempe schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.2 mi
School Distance Rating
New School for the Arts Middle School Tempe 0.0 mi 5.9
ASU Preparatory Academy Digital Tempe 0.6 mi 5.8
Humanities and Sciences Academy Arizona Phoenix 0.6 mi
International Commerce High School - Tempe Tempe 0.6 mi 5.6
OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL SCHOOL Tempe 0.8 mi 4.3
Meyer Montessori Tempe 1.0 mi 7.7
SLAM Arizona Inc. Las Vegas 1.0 mi
Broadmor Elementary School Tempe 1.1 mi 7.7
McKemy Academy of International Studies Tempe 1.3 mi 7.2
Mcclintock High School Tempe 1.4 mi 6.0
Curry Elementary School Tempe 1.3 mi 5.9
GRACE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Tempe 1.5 mi 7.2
Connolly Middle School Tempe 1.3 mi 6.6
Tempe Preparatory Academy Tempe 1.6 mi 7.0
Tempe High School Tempe 1.4 mi 6.0
Flora Thew Elementary School Tempe 1.4 mi 6.4
Joseph P. Spracale Elementary School Tempe 1.7 mi 4.9
Ombudsman - Charter Northeast Tempe 2.0 mi 6.0
Carminati School Tempe 2.1 mi 3.6
Arredondo Elementary School Tempe 2.2 mi 6.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 85281 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$59,084

Median Home Value

$364,200

Median Rent

$1,531/mo

Population

70,726

College Educated

48.7%

Homeownership

23.8%

Avg Commute

21.1 min

Poverty Rate

26.2%

Median Age

25.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding New School for the Arts has a median household income of $59,084. It is a well-educated community where 49% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $364,200, with a median rent of $1,531/month. The area has a poverty rate of 26.2%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 21 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
TAPBI Tempe, AZ 7.8
THUNDERBIRD ADVENTIST ACADEMY Scottsdale, AZ 7.8
VALLEY LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL Phoenix, AZ 7.8
Duncan High School Duncan, AZ 7.7
Mayer High School Mayer, AZ 7.7
St David High School Saint David, AZ 7.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about New School for the Arts

What grades does New School for the Arts serve?

New School for the Arts serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend New School for the Arts?

New School for the Arts has an enrollment of approximately 190 students.

How does New School for the Arts rank in AZ?

New School for the Arts is ranked #285 out of 2,000 schools in AZ.

What is New School for the Arts's MySchoolScout rating?

New School for the Arts has a composite rating of 7.8 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 New School for the Arts?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, New School for the Arts has 44.7% math proficiency and 51.2% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is New School for the Arts a charter school?

Yes, New School for the Arts is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.

Is New School for the Arts a Title I school?

No, New School for the Arts is not currently a Title I school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
81 Very Walkable
Transit Score
63 Good Transit
Bike Score
97 Biker’s Paradise
City Safety
High (3,371/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
190
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize City
County
Maricopa County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

New School For The Arts (4316)
District Enrollment
190
Schools in District
1
Per-Pupil Spending
$10,389
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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