Average
#1539 of 2,000 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
5.2
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
539
Student-Teacher
22.5:1
Score
5.2
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Phoenix
#291 of 398
public schools
Arizona middle schools
#179 of 218
In district
#11 of 22
Cartwright Elementary District (4282)
Academic growth
7.4 / 10
Strong
About Raul H. Castro Middle School: Academy of Fine Arts
Raul H. Castro Middle School: Academy of Fine Arts is a regular public middle school in Phoenix, Arizona, serving students in grades 6 through 8. With an enrollment of 539 students and a student-teacher ratio of 22.5:1, the school offers a focused learning environment.
Located in a large city, the school is part of the Maricopa County school district and is situated at 2730 N 79th Ave. Raul H. Castro Middle School has a MySchoolScout Rating of 2.7 out of 10, placing it in the 5th percentile among Arizona schools.
The school’s academic performance, with a score of 1.3 out of 10, indicates room for improvement, particularly in ELA/Reading (14% proficiency) and Math (3% proficiency). However, the school is dedicated to supporting its students and providing a nurturing environment. The school is situated in an urban area with a median household income of $53,633 and a median home value of $215,700.
The neighborhood has a poverty rate of 20.8% and a college-educated population of 8%. Despite these challenges, Raul H. Castro Middle School remains committed to the academic and personal development of its students.
Raul H. Castro Middle School: Academy of Fine Arts is nestled in a vibrant community in Phoenix, offering students a unique blend of academic and artistic opportunities.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Raul H. Castro Middle School: Academy of Fine Arts 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.
The student-teacher ratio at Raul H. Castro Middle School: Academy of Fine Arts is 22.5:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.
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%).
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: 7.4/10.
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.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 11% (2019) to 3% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 18% (2019) to 14% (2022).
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 6.3/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Imagine Desert West Middle (rated 3.2/10, 1.6 miles away), a more accessible option. 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 | 5.2 |
| Starlight Park College Preparatory and Community School Phoenix | 0.6 mi | 5.2 |
| Amberlea Elementary School Phoenix | 0.6 mi | 6.0 |
| Trevor Browne High School Phoenix | 0.7 mi | 3.7 |
| Pan-American Charter School Phoenix | 0.7 mi | 2.9 |
| Desert Horizon Elementary School Phoenix | 1.0 mi | 5.0 |
| Estrella Middle School Phoenix | 1.1 mi | 6.3 |
| Peralta School Phoenix | 1.1 mi | 6.5 |
| ACCLAIM Academy Phoenix | 1.2 mi | 6.8 |
| Midtown High School Phoenix | 1.2 mi | — |
| Precision Academy Phoenix | 1.2 mi | 6.2 |
| Premier Charter High School Phoenix | 1.3 mi | 5.8 |
| G. Frank Davidson Phoenix | 1.3 mi | 3.7 |
| Tomahawk School Phoenix | 1.5 mi | 4.0 |
| Desert Oasis Elementary School Tolleson | 1.4 mi | 7.5 |
| Imagine Desert West Middle Phoenix | 1.6 mi | 3.2 |
| Imagine Desert West Elementary Phoenix | 1.7 mi | 4.8 |
| Heatherbrae School Phoenix | 1.8 mi | 3.5 |
| Pendergast Elementary School Phoenix | 1.8 mi | 5.8 |
| Sunset School Phoenix | 1.8 mi | 4.4 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Raul H. Castro Middle School: Academy of Fine Arts has a median household income of $57,790. It is a community where 10% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $244,300, with a median rent of $1,390/month. The area has a poverty rate of 21.7%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 27 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 |
|---|---|
| Amphitheater Middle School Tucson, AZ | 5.2 |
| Bullhead City Middle School Bullhead City, AZ | 5.2 |
| Camp Verde Middle School Camp Verde, AZ | 5.2 |
| Choice Learning Academy Phoenix, AZ | 5.2 |
| L. Thomas Heck Middle School Litchfield Park, AZ | 5.2 |
| Glassford Hill Middle School Prescott Valley, AZ | 5.3 |
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 is ranked #1539 out of 2,000 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 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.
What are the test scores at Raul H. Castro Middle School: Academy of Fine Arts?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Raul H. Castro Middle School: Academy of Fine Arts has 5.3% math proficiency and 15.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
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
- City Safety
- High (3,139/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Phoenix). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (623) 691-5300
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Cartwright Elementary District (4282)- District Enrollment
- 13,720
- Schools in District
- 23
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,949
- District Rank
- #11 of 22
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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