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#191 of 225 private schools in AZ

Pilgrim Lutheran School

Elementary School

3257 E UNIVERSITY DR, Mesa, AZ 85213

Private Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on 8 schools in Mesa. Learn more

Enrollment

52

Student-Teacher

9.3:1

Score

5.2

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

In Mesa

#9 of 11

public schools

Arizona elementary schools

#93 of 118

Academic performance

7.2 / 10

Strong

About Pilgrim Lutheran School

Pilgrim Lutheran School serves 52 students from prekindergarten through eighth grade in Mesa, Arizona. This small elementary school maintains an intimate learning environment with just 6 full-time equivalent teachers, creating an exceptional student-teacher ratio of 9.3:1 that allows for personalized attention and close relationships between educators and students. The school has earned recognition for its educational approach, receiving a strong MySchoolScout rating of 9.4 out of 10.

While ranked #126 out of 225 schools statewide, placing it in the 44th percentile among Arizona elementary schools, Pilgrim Lutheran's small size and low student-teacher ratio suggest a focus on individualized instruction and community-centered learning. Located on East University Drive in Mesa, the school serves families in the 85213 zip code area, a stable community where the median household income reaches $95,831 and median home values are $370,500. The surrounding neighborhood reflects an educated population, with 36% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher, while maintaining a low poverty rate of 8.3%.

Pilgrim Lutheran School operates within Mesa's large city setting, offering families a small-school experience with the resources and opportunities that come from being part of Arizona's third-largest city.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 52 students, Pilgrim Lutheran 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.

With a student-teacher ratio of 9.3:1, Pilgrim Lutheran School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

As a private school, Pilgrim Lutheran School operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.

Compare to Public Schools

Beta

How Pilgrim Lutheran School compares to 121 public schools serving similar grades in Mesa, AZ

Student-Teacher Ratio
9.3:1
This School
vs
17.1:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
52
This School
vs
570
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
5.2
This School
vs
6.0
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 96.2% vs 0%
Black 1.9% vs 0%
Pilgrim Lutheran School Mesa Public Avg

Nearby Elementary Schools

School Rating
Pilgrim Lutheran School (this school) 5.2
Highland Arts Elementary 6.9
Poston Junior High School 6.5
Taylor Junior High School 5.8
Entz Elementary School 8.2
Field Elementary School 5.6
Irving Elementary School 5.0
Johnson Elementary School 5.4
Montessori Education Centre Charter School - North Campus 4.2
Hale Elementary School 7.4
Robson Elementary School 3.7
Montessori Education Centre Charter School - Mesa 5.0
Longfellow Elementary School 5.7
Kaizen Education Foundation dba Vista Grove Preparatory Acad 4.2
Vista Grove Preparatory Academy Middle School
EAGLE College Preparatory School- Mesa 3.1
O'Connor Elementary School 4.2
Porter Elementary School 5.7
Michael T. Hughes Elementary School 7.5
Self Development Charter School 6.5
Self Development Online Academy

Showing 20 of 121 schools. View all schools in Mesa

Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.

Score Breakdown

What This Rating Measures

This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in AZ.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
A- 7.5 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 9.3:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
B- 5.4 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 7 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,218
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
C 2.5 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 4%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
C+ 4.0 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 52
View data sources

Score basis: Private school model

Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data

Components scored: 4 of 5

Ranking pool: Private schools in AZ

Test Scores

Test score data not yet available for this school.

Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

White 96.2%
Black 1.9%
Native American 1.9%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

3257 E UNIVERSITY DR, Mesa, AZ 85213

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Pilgrim Lutheran School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Entz Elementary School (rated 8.2/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Hale Elementary School (rated 7.4/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Highland Arts Elementary (rated 6.9/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Mesa, see our Mesa schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.1 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 85213 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$100,671

Median Home Value

$407,600

Median Rent

$1,640/mo

Population

37,323

College Educated

39%

Homeownership

77.4%

Avg Commute

24.4 min

Poverty Rate

7.8%

Median Age

38.4

Community Profile

The community surrounding Pilgrim Lutheran School has a median household income of $100,671. It is an area where 39% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $407,600, with a median rent of $1,640/month. The local poverty rate of 7.8% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 24 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
ARROWHEAD MONTESSORI Peoria, AZ 5.2
DESERT JEWISH ACADEMY Chandler, AZ 5.1
GRACEPOINTE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Tucson, AZ 5.1
SONSHINE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Nogales, AZ 5.1
FIRST SOUTHERN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Tucson, AZ 5.4
CHRIST CHURCH SCHOOL Paradise Valley, AZ 5.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Pilgrim Lutheran School

What grades does Pilgrim Lutheran School serve?

Pilgrim Lutheran School serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.

How many students attend Pilgrim Lutheran School?

Pilgrim Lutheran School has an enrollment of approximately 52 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Pilgrim Lutheran School?

The student-teacher ratio at Pilgrim Lutheran School is 9.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does Pilgrim Lutheran School rank in AZ?

Pilgrim Lutheran School is ranked #191 out of 225 private schools in AZ.

What is Pilgrim Lutheran School's MySchoolScout rating?

Pilgrim Lutheran School has a composite rating of 5.2 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.

Is Pilgrim Lutheran School a private school?

Yes, Pilgrim Lutheran School is a private coeducational school with a Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.

Is Pilgrim Lutheran School a religious school?

Pilgrim Lutheran School has a Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod religious affiliation.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
High (1,955/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
52
Gender Split
58% M / 42% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
9.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
6
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod
School Day
7 hours
Days Per Year
174 days
Setting
Large City
County
MARICOPA
Data Year
2022–2023

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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