Average
#1217 of 2,000 schools in AZ
Palo Verde Middle School
Middle School · Washington Elementary School District (4260)
7502 N 39TH AVE, Phoenix, AZ 85051
Enrollment
801
Student-Teacher
16.7:1
Score
5.9
Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
801
Student-Teacher
16.7:1
Score
5.9
Grades
7th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Phoenix
#231 of 398
public schools
Arizona middle schools
#147 of 218
In district
#20 of 33
Washington Elementary School District (4260)
School environment
7.7 / 10
Very strong
About Palo Verde Middle School
Palo Verde Middle School is a public middle school serving grades 7–8 in north Phoenix, with an enrollment of 801 students. The school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 16.7:1, supported by 48 full-time equivalent teachers, which offers a fairly manageable class structure for students navigating the middle school years. Academically, Palo Verde is working to strengthen student performance in core subjects.
Currently, about 22% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 16% meet proficiency benchmarks in Math. These numbers indicate the school has significant room for academic growth. The school's academic score of 2.8/10 and state ranking of #1441 out of 2029 Arizona schools reflect these current challenges, suggesting the school community is focused on developing student skills and achievement.
Located at 7502 N 39th Avenue, Palo Verde serves a large urban community in Phoenix. As a regular public school, it provides an accessible option for families in the area seeking a traditional middle school experience, though families should consider the school's current academic performance when evaluating whether it's the right fit for their student's needs.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Palo Verde Middle School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Palo Verde Middle School — Students at Palo Verde Middle School score 17% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 30%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
0.2%
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: 6.4/10.
How Palo Verde Middle School Compares
See how Palo Verde Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 26% (2019) to 10% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 24% (2019) to 24% (2022).
Location
7502 N 39TH AVE, Phoenix, AZ 85051
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Palo Verde Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Global Academy of Phoenix (rated 9.0/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Ocotillo School (rated 7.4/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Academy of Math and Science Glendale (rated 7.1/10, 0.9 miles away, in nearby Tucson), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Phoenix, see our Phoenix schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Roadrunner Elementary School Phoenix | 0.3 mi | 4.5 |
| Kaizen Education Foundation dba Maya High School Phoenix | 0.6 mi | 4.6 |
| Ombudsman - Charter Metro Glendale | 0.6 mi | 4.4 |
| GLENVIEW ADVENTIST ACADEMY Phoenix | 0.8 mi | 5.8 |
| Manzanita Elementary School Phoenix | 0.9 mi | 4.9 |
| Global Academy of Phoenix Phoenix | 1.0 mi | 9.0 |
| Academy of Math and Science Glendale Tucson | 0.9 mi | 7.1 |
| CASA Academy Phoenix | 0.9 mi | 5.0 |
| Glendale Union High School District Online Learning Academy Glendale | 0.9 mi | 4.9 |
| Glendale Union Online Glendale | 0.9 mi | 4.6 |
| Valencia Newcomer School Phoenix | 1.0 mi | 6.5 |
| Catalina Ventura School Phoenix | 1.1 mi | 5.1 |
| West-MEC - Apollo High School Glendale | 1.0 mi | — |
| Apollo High School Glendale | 1.0 mi | 5.5 |
| Barcelona Elementary School Glendale | 1.1 mi | 5.4 |
| ST LOUIS THE KING SCHOOL Glendale | 1.2 mi | 5.9 |
| Ocotillo School Phoenix | 1.3 mi | 7.4 |
| Career and College Prep Phoenix | 1.4 mi | 4.8 |
| Ethos Academy- A Challenge Foundation Academy Glendale | 1.4 mi | 6.0 |
| Imagine Cortez Park Middle Phoenix | 1.4 mi | 6.0 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 85051 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$63,665
Median Home Value
$288,300
Median Rent
$1,256/mo
Population
45,484
College Educated
19.8%
Homeownership
54.6%
Avg Commute
27.6 min
Poverty Rate
17.6%
Median Age
34.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding Palo Verde Middle School has a median household income of $63,665. It is a community where 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $288,300, with a median rent of $1,256/month. The area has a poverty rate of 17.6%. The average commute for residents is 28 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 |
|---|---|
| Granada Elementary School-East Campus Phoenix, AZ | 5.9 |
| Sevilla Elementary School-West Campus Phoenix, AZ | 5.9 |
| Valencia Middle School Tucson, AZ | 5.9 |
| Crane Middle School Yuma, AZ | 6.0 |
| Desert Sky Middle School Tucson, AZ | 6.0 |
| Pistor Middle School Tucson, AZ | 6.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Palo Verde Middle School
What grades does Palo Verde Middle School serve?
Palo Verde Middle School serves students in grades 7th through 8th.
How many students attend Palo Verde Middle School?
Palo Verde Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 801 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Palo Verde Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at Palo Verde Middle School is 16.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Palo Verde Middle School rank in AZ?
Palo Verde Middle School is ranked #1217 out of 2,000 schools in AZ.
What is Palo Verde Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Palo Verde 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 Palo Verde Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Palo Verde Middle School has 15.7% math proficiency and 22.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Palo Verde Middle School a charter school?
No, Palo Verde Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Palo Verde Middle School a Title I school?
No, Palo Verde Middle School is not currently a Title I school.
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
- 7th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 801
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 48
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Maricopa County
- Phone
- (602) 347-2500
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Washington Elementary School District (4260)- District Enrollment
- 18,766
- Schools in District
- 33
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,008
- District Rank
- #20 of 33
Other Schools in This District
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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