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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

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 metrics
Student Progress6.4Above Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2.87 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics4.1Below Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency10%
Reading/ELA Proficiency24%
Overall Proficiency17%
Expected (poverty-adj.)30%
vs. Expected-13.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile22th
Resources & Environment7.7Very Good25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,856

Palo Verde Middle School — Students at Palo Verde Middle School score 17% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 30%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

0.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores AZ EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 15.7%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 22.3%
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
26%
ELA
24%
2021*
Math
11%
ELA
19%
2022
Math
10%
ELA
24%

* 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.

Overall Score
5.9/10
39th percentile in AZ
Academic
4.1/10
4.1/10
Growth
6.4/10
Above average
Environment
7.7/10
Above average

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Washington Elementary School District (4260)
District Enrollment
18,766
Schools in District
33
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,008
District Rank
#20 of 33

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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