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Average

#1468 of 2,006 schools in AZ

Ruth Fisher Middle School

School · Saddle Mountain Unified School District (4254)

38201 W INDIAN SCHOOL RD, Tonopah, AZ 85354

Enrollment

734

Student-Teacher

21:1

Score

5.1

Grades

Pre-K – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Arizona schools

#1,468 of 2,006

In Tonopah

#3 of 3

public schools

In district

#4 of 5

Saddle Mountain Unified School District (4254)

Academic growth

7.9 / 10

Very Good

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Ruth Fisher Middle School

5.1/10

School in Tonopah · grades Pre-K – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

West-mec - Tonopah Valley High School

Nearby

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

Tonopah Valley High School

6.8/10

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

About Ruth Fisher Middle School

Ruth Fisher Middle School is a public school in Tonopah, AZ, part of Saddle Mountain Unified School District (4254). Ruth Fisher Middle School serves approximately 734 students, and covers grades Pre-K-12th, and has a 21:1 student-teacher ratio. Ruth Fisher Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.1 out of 10 and ranks #1,468 of 2,006 schools in AZ.

Structured state assessment records for Ruth Fisher Middle School show 37% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 34% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares0.6 pts below district
  • This school 5.1 · Average
  • District avg 5.7
  • AZ avg 6.3

What Parents Should Know

Test scores at Ruth Fisher Middle School sit below average, but its growth scores are strong: students here make above-average progress year over year. The raw numbers haven't caught up, but a school that keeps moving kids forward is doing the harder, more important work.

Ruth Fisher Middle School runs 21:1 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.

Ruth Fisher Middle School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress7.9Very Good25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data12
Annual Change-2.49 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics4.4Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency21% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency24% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency23% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)41% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-18.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile25th
College Readiness3.8Needs Improvement30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment4.5Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio21:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,380
Chronic Absenteeism49.7%

Ruth Fisher Middle School — Students at Ruth Fisher Middle School score 22% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 41%).

How we calculate scores →

Test Scores AZ EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 36.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 34.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 24 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
35%
ELA
56%
2012
Math
57%
ELA
69%
2013
Math
54%
ELA
65%
2014
Math
34%
ELA
18%
2015
Math
36%
ELA
28%
2016
Math
37%
ELA
23%
2017
Math
36%
ELA
24%
2018
Math
38%
ELA
27%
2019
Math
38%
ELA
27%
2020*
Math
26%
ELA
25%
2021*
Math
26%
ELA
25%
2022
Math
21%
ELA
24%

* 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: 7.9/10.

How Ruth Fisher Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
5.1/10
27th percentile in AZ
Academic
4.4/10
Below Average
Growth
7.9/10
Very Good
Environment
4.5/10
Below Average

Funding & Resources

Teaching Staff
21:1 student-teacher ratio
35 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
49.7%

Location

38201 W INDIAN SCHOOL RD, Tonopah, AZ 85354

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Ruth Fisher Middle School may also want to explore other schools in the area. Tonopah Valley High School (rated 6.8/10, 0.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Tartesso Elementary School (rated 6.6/10, 10.5 miles away, in nearby Buckeye), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Steven R. Jasinski Elementary School (rated 6.6/10, 17.6 miles away, in nearby Buckeye), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Tonopah, see our Tonopah schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 18.6 mi
School Distance Rating
West-MEC - Tonopah Valley High School Tonopah 0.2 mi
Tonopah Valley High School Tonopah 0.2 mi 6.8
Winters Well Elementary School Tonopah 5.2 mi 5.8
Arlington Elementary School Arlington 9.6 mi 5.9
Desert Sunset Elementary School Buckeye 8.9 mi 4.3
Tartesso Elementary School Buckeye 10.5 mi 6.6
Palo Verde Elementary School Palo Verde 14.8 mi 6.2
Westpark Elementary School Buckeye 16.0 mi 5.4
Skyview High School Buckeye 17.1 mi 4.3
Bales Elementary School Buckeye 17.4 mi 2.8
John S McCain III Elementary School Buckeye 17.2 mi 5.1
Imagine Schools at Buckeye Buckeye 17.2 mi 5.7
GRACE FELLOWSHIP ACADEMY Buckeye 17.6 mi 5.8
ThrivePoint High School at Buckeye Glendale 17.7 mi 4.2
Steven R. Jasinski Elementary School Buckeye 17.6 mi 6.6
West-MEC - Youngker High School Buckeye 17.8 mi
Youngker High School Buckeye 17.8 mi 5.0
Festival Foothills Elementary School Buckeye 19.1 mi 5.6
Sundance Elementary Buckeye 18.1 mi 4.7
Buckeye Elementary School Buckeye 18.6 mi 4.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 85354 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$64,596

Median Home Value

$277,600

Median Rent

$1,343/mo

Population

7,731

College Educated

10.3%

Homeownership

84.7%

Avg Commute

39.7 min

Poverty Rate

7.9%

Median Age

39.5

Similar Schools

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Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Ruth Fisher Middle School

What grades does Ruth Fisher Middle School serve?

Ruth Fisher Middle School serves students in grades Pre-K through 12th.

How many students attend Ruth Fisher Middle School?

Ruth Fisher Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 734 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Ruth Fisher Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at Ruth Fisher Middle School is 21:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Ruth Fisher Middle School rank in AZ?

Ruth Fisher Middle School ranks #1,468 of 2,006 schools in AZ.

What is Ruth Fisher Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Ruth Fisher Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.1 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 Ruth Fisher Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Ruth Fisher Middle School has 37% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 34% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Ruth Fisher Middle School a charter school?

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

Is Ruth Fisher Middle School a Title I school?

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

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
8 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
35 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 12th
Enrollment
734
Student-Teacher Ratio
21:1
Teachers (FTE)
35
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Maricopa County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
49.7%

District

Saddle Mountain Unified School District (4254)
District Enrollment
3,245
Schools in District
6
Per-Pupil Spending
$10,380
District Rank
#4 of 5

How we rate schools

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