Below Average
#1844 of 2,000 schools in AZ
Ron Watson Middle School
Middle School · Yuma Elementary District (4499)
9851 E 28TH ST, Yuma, AZ 85365
Enrollment
557
Student-Teacher
21.4:1
Score
4.3
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
557
Student-Teacher
21.4:1
Score
4.3
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Yuma
#37 of 38
public schools
Arizona middle schools
#209 of 218
In district
#19 of 19
Yuma Elementary District (4499)
About Ron Watson Middle School
Ron Watson Middle School is a regular public school in Yuma, Arizona, catering to students from sixth through eighth grade. With an enrollment of 557 students and a student-teacher ratio of 21.4:1, the school aims to provide personalized attention to each learner. Located in a rural area near the town, Ron Watson Middle School offers a close-knit community feel.
The academic performance at Ron Watson Middle School shows room for improvement, with a MySchoolScout rating of 3.8 out of 10 and a state ranking of #1658 among 2029 schools in Arizona (18th percentile). Students achieve proficiency rates of 33% in English Language Arts/Reading and 23% in Math, indicating areas where focused support could help students thrive. Though the neighborhood data is not available, Ron Watson Middle School benefits from its rural setting, offering a peaceful environment conducive to learning.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Ron Watson Middle School is 21.4:1, 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.
Located in a rural area, Ron Watson Middle School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Ron Watson Middle School — Students at Ron Watson Middle School score 22% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 37%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
0.1%
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: 3.4/10.
How Ron Watson Middle School Compares
See how Ron Watson Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 36% (2019) to 15% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 41% (2019) to 30% (2022).
Location
9851 E 28TH ST, Yuma, AZ 85365
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Ron Watson Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Castle Dome Middle School (rated 5.1/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is San Pasqual Middle (rated 4.9/10, 9.3 miles away, in nearby Winterhaven), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Gila Vista Jr High School (rated 4.7/10, 8.8 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Yuma, see our Yuma schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 9.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Sunrise Elementary School Yuma | 0.2 mi | 5.7 |
| Castle Dome Middle School Yuma | 1.5 mi | 5.1 |
| Mary A Otondo Elementary School Yuma | 1.6 mi | 6.0 |
| Desert Mesa Elementary School Yuma | 2.5 mi | 5.9 |
| Gila Ridge High School Yuma | 2.7 mi | 5.5 |
| SOUTHWESTERN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Yuma | 3.7 mi | 5.8 |
| Dorothy Hall Elementary Yuma | 4.6 mi | 8.7 |
| YUMA LUTHERAN SCHOOL Yuma | 7.5 mi | 4.5 |
| James B Rolle School Yuma | 7.5 mi | 5.9 |
| STEDY- Central Campus Yuma | 8.7 mi | — |
| Gila Vista Jr High School Yuma | 8.8 mi | 4.7 |
| C W Mcgraw Elementary School Yuma | 8.8 mi | 4.5 |
| Bill M. Manes High Winterhaven | 9.3 mi | — |
| San Pasqual Valley Elementary Winterhaven | 9.3 mi | 5.8 |
| San Pasqual Valley High Winterhaven | 9.3 mi | 5.2 |
| San Pasqual Middle Winterhaven | 9.3 mi | 4.9 |
| Harvest Preparatory Academy Yuma | 9.0 mi | 5.2 |
| AmeriSchools Academy - Yuma Phoenix | 9.3 mi | 8.0 |
| Amerischools Academy North Phoenix | 9.5 mi | 6.0 |
| YUMA ADVENTIST CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Yuma | 9.5 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 85365 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$68,358
Median Home Value
$189,900
Median Rent
$1,259/mo
Population
53,149
College Educated
21.2%
Homeownership
77.7%
Avg Commute
17.9 min
Poverty Rate
11.3%
Median Age
35.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding Ron Watson Middle School has a median household income of $68,358. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $189,900, with a median rent of $1,259/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.3%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 18 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 |
|---|---|
| Challenger Middle School Tucson, AZ | 4.4 |
| Kingman Academy of Learning - Middle School Kingman, AZ | 4.1 |
| Santa Maria Middle School Phoenix, AZ | 4.1 |
| Billy Lane Lauffer Middle School Tucson, AZ | 4.6 |
| Villago Middle School Casa Grande, AZ | 3.9 |
| Centennial Middle School Yuma, AZ | 4.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Ron Watson Middle School
What grades does Ron Watson Middle School serve?
Ron Watson Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Ron Watson Middle School?
Ron Watson Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 557 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Ron Watson Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at Ron Watson Middle School is 21.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Ron Watson Middle School rank in AZ?
Ron Watson Middle School is ranked #1844 out of 2,000 schools in AZ.
What is Ron Watson Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Ron Watson Middle School has a composite rating of 4.3 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 Ron Watson Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Ron Watson Middle School has 22.7% math proficiency and 33.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Ron Watson Middle School a charter school?
No, Ron Watson Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Ron Watson Middle School a Title I school?
No, Ron Watson Middle School is not currently a Title I school.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (1,686/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Yuma). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 557
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 21.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 26
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Yuma County
- Phone
- (928) 502-7400
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Yuma Elementary District (4499)- District Enrollment
- 8,980
- Schools in District
- 19
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $10,416
- District Rank
- #19 of 19
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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