Average
#1172 of 2,000 schools in AZ
New School for the Arts Middle School
Middle School · New School for the Arts Middle School (80985)
1216 E APACHE BLVD, Tempe, AZ 85281
Enrollment
76
Score
5.9
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
76
Score
5.9
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Tempe
#27 of 47
public schools
Arizona middle schools
#142 of 218
Academic performance
7.4 / 10
Strong
About New School for the Arts Middle School
New School for the Arts Middle School is a charter school located in Tempe, Arizona, offering a unique educational experience for students in grades 6 through 8. With an enrollment of 76 students, the school fosters a close-knit community where each student receives personalized attention. The school's MySchoolScout rating of 5.8 out of 10 and state ranking of 895 out of 2029 schools in Arizona indicate areas for improvement, particularly in math proficiency, which stands at 22% proficient or above.
However, the school's ELA/Reading proficiency rate of 57% highlights its strengths in language arts. New School for the Arts Middle School is situated in a mid-size city with a vibrant neighborhood. The area has a median household income of $55,572 and a median home value of $333,600, with 48% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher.
Despite these positive indicators, the neighborhood faces a 27.1% poverty rate, presenting both challenges and opportunities for the school community. New School for the Arts Middle School is an integral part of this dynamic and diverse Tempe neighborhood.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 76 students, New School for the Arts Middle School 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 Middle School 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
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New School for the Arts Middle School — Students at New School for the Arts Middle School score 40% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 38%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
0.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores AZ EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 test records from AZ state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 7.3/10.
How New School for the Arts Middle School Compares
See how New School for the Arts Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 32% (2019) to 22% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 57% (2019) to 57% (2022).
Location
1216 E APACHE BLVD, Tempe, AZ 85281
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering New School for the Arts Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. McKemy Academy of International Studies (rated 7.2/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Connolly Middle School (rated 6.6/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores slightly higher. 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 Tempe | 0.0 mi | 7.8 |
| 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 Middle School 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 |
|---|---|
| Maricopa Institute of Technology (MIT) Phoenix, AZ | 5.8 |
| Paulo Freire Freedom School - Downtown Tucson, AZ | 6.2 |
| Satori Charter School Tucson, AZ | 6.2 |
| Red Mesa Junior High School Teec Nos Pos, AZ | 6.7 |
| Paulo Freire Freedom School - University Tucson, AZ | 5.0 |
| Mission Montessori Academy's Middle Years Program Phoenix, AZ | 4.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about New School for the Arts Middle School
What grades does New School for the Arts Middle School serve?
New School for the Arts Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend New School for the Arts Middle School?
New School for the Arts Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 76 students.
How does New School for the Arts Middle School rank in AZ?
New School for the Arts Middle School is ranked #1172 out of 2,000 schools in AZ.
What is New School for the Arts Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
New School for the Arts Middle School has a composite rating of 5.9 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 Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, New School for the Arts Middle School has 23.7% math proficiency and 52.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is New School for the Arts Middle School a charter school?
Yes, New School for the Arts Middle School 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 Middle School a Title I school?
No, New School for the Arts Middle School is not currently a Title I school.
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (3,371/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Tempe). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 76
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Maricopa County
- Phone
- (480) 481-9235
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
New School for the Arts Middle School (80985)- District Enrollment
- 76
- Schools in District
- 1
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $9,716
- 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 methodologyRelated reading
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