Skip to main content

Needs Improvement

#1902 of 2,006 schools in AZ

Pistor Middle School

Middle School · Tucson Unified District (4403)

5455 S CARDINAL AVE, Tucson, AZ 85746

Enrollment

629

Student-Teacher

13.1:1

Score

3.6

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Arizona schools

#1,902 of 2,006

In Tucson

#242 of 257

public schools

In district

#82 of 86

Tucson Unified District (4403)

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around Pistor Middle School?

Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.

Shortlist starter

Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.

Pistor Middle School

3.6/10

Middle School in Tucson · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

John E White Elementary School

6.5/10

0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Frances J Warren Elementary School

6.7/10

0.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Pistor Middle School

Pistor Middle School is a public middle school in Tucson, AZ, part of Tucson Unified District (4403). Pistor Middle School serves approximately 629 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 13.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Pistor Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.6 out of 10 and ranks #1,902 of 2,006 schools in AZ.

Structured state assessment records for Pistor Middle School show 24% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 39% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares1.7 pts below district
  • This school 3.6 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 5.3
  • AZ avg 5.6

What Parents Should Know

95% of students at Pistor Middle School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.0Needs Improvement40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-4.29 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics2.7Needs Improvement35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency4% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency18% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency11% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)32% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-21.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile9th
Resources & Environment6.0Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,783
Chronic Absenteeism94.9%

Pistor Middle School — Students at Pistor Middle School score 11% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 32%).

How we calculate scores →

Test Scores AZ EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 24.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 39.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 28 test records from AZ state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
36%
ELA
68%
2010
Math
35%
ELA
71%
2011
Math
43%
ELA
73%
2012
Math
47%
ELA
72%
2013
Math
51%
ELA
74%
2014
Math
20%
ELA
29%
2015
Math
22%
ELA
26%
2016
Math
16%
ELA
22%
2017
Math
16%
ELA
22%
2018
Math
16%
ELA
21%
2019
Math
16%
ELA
21%
2020*
Math
7%
ELA
16%
2021*
Math
7%
ELA
16%
2022
Math
4%
ELA
18%

* 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: 3.0/10.

How Pistor Middle School Compares

See how Pistor Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.6/10
5th percentile in AZ
Academic
2.7/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
3.0/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
6.0/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
48 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
94.9%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

5455 S CARDINAL AVE, Tucson, AZ 85746

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Pistor Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. CASITA DAYCARE & PRESCHOOL (rated 7.2/10, 2.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Valencia Middle School (rated 4.1/10, 1.9 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Anna Lawrence Intermediate School (rated 3.5/10, 3.0 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Tucson, see our Tucson schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.0 mi
School Distance Rating
John E White Elementary School Tucson 0.6 mi 6.5
Frances J Warren Elementary School Tucson 0.9 mi 6.7
Raul Grijalva Elementary School Tucson 1.4 mi 3.7
Pima Rose Academy Tucson 1.6 mi 3.6
Miller Elementary School Tucson 2.0 mi 4.8
Ombudsman - Charter Valencia Tucson 1.9 mi 3.9
SAGUARO HILLS ADVENTIST CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Tucson 1.8 mi
McCorkle PK-8 Tucson 1.9 mi 4.8
Valencia Middle School Tucson 1.9 mi 4.1
Tucson International Academy Midvale Tucson 2.1 mi 7.9
Lynn Urquides Tucson 2.4 mi 4.7
Maldonado Amelia Elementary School Tucson 2.6 mi 5.8
Henry Hank Oyama Tucson 2.8 mi 7.2
CASITA DAYCARE & PRESCHOOL Tucson 2.6 mi 7.2
FAITH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Tucson 2.9 mi 7.3
Harriet Johnson Primary School Tucson 2.8 mi 8.1
Vesey Elementary School Tucson 2.8 mi 6.6
Southgate Academy Tucson 2.9 mi 4.8
La Paloma Academy-South Tucson 2.8 mi 4.6
Anna Lawrence Intermediate School Tucson 3.0 mi 3.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 85746 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$68,506

Median Home Value

$225,200

Median Rent

$1,280/mo

Population

44,030

College Educated

17.8%

Homeownership

73.5%

Avg Commute

26.2 min

Poverty Rate

17.6%

Median Age

34.3

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Greenway Middle School Phoenix, AZ 3.7
Vista Verde Middle School Phoenix, AZ 3.5
Choice Learning Academy Phoenix, AZ 3.8
Desert Sands Academy of Mass Communication & Journalism Phoenix, AZ 3.8
Santa Maria Middle School Phoenix, AZ 3.8
Challenger Middle School Tucson, AZ 3.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Pistor Middle School

What grades does Pistor Middle School serve?

Pistor Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Pistor Middle School?

Pistor Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 629 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Pistor Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at Pistor Middle School is 13.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Pistor Middle School rank in AZ?

Pistor Middle School ranks #1,902 of 2,006 schools in AZ.

What is Pistor Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Pistor Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.6 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Pistor Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Pistor Middle School has 24% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 39% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Pistor Middle School a charter school?

No, Pistor Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Pistor Middle School a Title I school?

No, Pistor Middle School is not currently a Title I school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
52 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
33 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
629
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
48
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Pima County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
94.9%

District

Tucson Unified District (4403)
District Enrollment
40,929
Schools in District
90
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,783
District Rank
#82 of 86

How we rate schools

A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.

See how we rate

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.