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#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

Charter

Enrollment

76

Score

5.9

Grades

6th – 8th

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 metrics
Student Progress7.3Very Good40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2.17 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics7.4Very Good35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency22%
Reading/ELA Proficiency57%
Overall Proficiency40%
Expected (poverty-adj.)38%
vs. Expected+1.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile62th
Resources & Environment1.4Significantly Below Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Per-Pupil Spending$6,531

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%).

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 23.7%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 52.0%
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
32%
ELA
57%
2021*
Math
17%
ELA
42%
2022
Math
22%
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: 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.

Overall Score
5.9/10
41th percentile in AZ
Academic
7.4/10
7.4/10
Growth
7.3/10
Above average
Environment
1.4/10
Below average

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

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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 methodology

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