Needs Improvement
#1979 of 2,006 schools in AZ
Raul H. Castro Middle School: Academy of Fine Arts
Middle School · Cartwright Elementary District (4282)
2730 N 79TH AVE, Phoenix, AZ 85035
Enrollment
539
Student-Teacher
22.5:1
Score
2.8
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
539
Student-Teacher
22.5:1
Score
2.8
Grades
6th – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Arizona schools
#1,979 of 2,006
In Phoenix
#411 of 422
public schools
In district
#22 of 22
Cartwright Elementary District (4282)
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Raul H. Castro Middle School: Academy of Fine Arts
Middle School in Phoenix · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Manuel Pena Jr. School
0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Starlight Park College Preparatory and Community School
0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Raul H. Castro Middle School: Academy of Fine Arts
Raul H. Castro Middle School: Academy of Fine Arts is a public middle school in Phoenix, AZ, part of Cartwright Elementary District (4282). Raul H.
Castro Middle School: Academy of Fine Arts serves approximately 539 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 22.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Raul H. Castro Middle School: Academy of Fine Arts has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.8 out of 10 and ranks #1,979 of 2,006 schools in AZ.
Structured state assessment records for Raul H. Castro Middle School: Academy of Fine Arts show 23% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 34% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 2.8 · Needs Improvement
- District avg 4.0
- AZ avg 5.6
What Parents Should Know
Raul H. Castro Middle School: Academy of Fine Arts runs 22.5:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.
55% of students at Raul H. Castro Middle School: Academy of Fine Arts 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Raul H. Castro Middle School: Academy of Fine Arts — Students at Raul H. Castro Middle School: Academy of Fine Arts score 8% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 25%).
Test Scores AZ EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 28 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: 2.2/10.
How Raul H. Castro Middle School: Academy of Fine Arts Compares
See how Raul H. Castro Middle School: Academy of Fine Arts performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
2730 N 79TH AVE, Phoenix, AZ 85035
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Raul H. Castro Middle School: Academy of Fine Arts may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Estrella Middle School (rated 4.0/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Imagine Desert West Middle (rated 2.1/10, 1.6 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Phoenix, see our Phoenix schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Manuel Pena Jr. School Phoenix | 0.2 mi | 4.0 |
| Starlight Park College Preparatory and Community School Phoenix | 0.6 mi | 5.7 |
| Amberlea Elementary School Phoenix | 0.6 mi | 4.4 |
| Trevor Browne High School Phoenix | 0.7 mi | 4.5 |
| Pan-American Charter School Phoenix | 0.7 mi | 3.9 |
| Desert Horizon Elementary School Phoenix | 1.0 mi | 2.9 |
| Estrella Middle School Phoenix | 1.1 mi | 4.0 |
| Peralta School Phoenix | 1.1 mi | 5.2 |
| ACCLAIM Academy Phoenix | 1.2 mi | 3.5 |
| Midtown High School Phoenix | 1.2 mi | — |
| Precision Academy Phoenix | 1.2 mi | 3.2 |
| Premier Charter High School Phoenix | 1.3 mi | 5.3 |
| G. Frank Davidson Phoenix | 1.3 mi | 5.3 |
| Tomahawk School Phoenix | 1.5 mi | 4.7 |
| Desert Oasis Elementary School Tolleson | 1.4 mi | 4.4 |
| Imagine Desert West Middle Phoenix | 1.6 mi | 2.1 |
| Imagine Desert West Elementary Phoenix | 1.7 mi | 2.2 |
| Heatherbrae School Phoenix | 1.8 mi | 4.8 |
| Pendergast Elementary School Phoenix | 1.8 mi | 4.1 |
| Sunset School Phoenix | 1.8 mi | 8.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 85035 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$57,790
Median Home Value
$244,300
Median Rent
$1,390/mo
Population
52,002
College Educated
10.1%
Homeownership
46.4%
Avg Commute
26.7 min
Poverty Rate
21.7%
Median Age
27.2
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Billy Lane Lauffer Middle School Tucson, AZ | 2.7 |
| Casa Grande Middle School Casa Grande, AZ | 2.6 |
| Cactus Middle School Casa Grande, AZ | 3.1 |
| Cactus Canyon Junior High Apache Junction, AZ | 3.2 |
| Rhodes Junior High School Mesa, AZ | 3.2 |
| Wade Carpenter Middle School Nogales, AZ | 3.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Raul H. Castro Middle School: Academy of Fine Arts
What grades does Raul H. Castro Middle School: Academy of Fine Arts serve?
Raul H. Castro Middle School: Academy of Fine Arts serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Raul H. Castro Middle School: Academy of Fine Arts?
Raul H. Castro Middle School: Academy of Fine Arts has an enrollment of approximately 539 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Raul H. Castro Middle School: Academy of Fine Arts?
The student-teacher ratio at Raul H. Castro Middle School: Academy of Fine Arts is 22.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Raul H. Castro Middle School: Academy of Fine Arts rank in AZ?
Raul H. Castro Middle School: Academy of Fine Arts ranks #1,979 of 2,006 schools in AZ.
What is Raul H. Castro Middle School: Academy of Fine Arts's MySchoolScout rating?
Raul H. Castro Middle School: Academy of Fine Arts has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.8 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 Raul H. Castro Middle School: Academy of Fine Arts?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Raul H. Castro Middle School: Academy of Fine Arts has 23% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 34% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
Is Raul H. Castro Middle School: Academy of Fine Arts a charter school?
No, Raul H. Castro Middle School: Academy of Fine Arts is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Raul H. Castro Middle School: Academy of Fine Arts a Title I school?
No, Raul H. Castro Middle School: Academy of Fine Arts is not currently a Title I school.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 539
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 22.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 24
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Maricopa County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 54.5%
- Phone
- (623) 691-5300
Resources & Links
District
Cartwright Elementary District (4282)- District Enrollment
- 13,720
- Schools in District
- 23
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,949
- District Rank
- #22 of 22
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