Skip to main content

Below Average

#1627 of 2,006 schools in AZ

Sanders Middle School

Middle School · Sanders Unified District (4156)

PO BOX 250, Sanders, AZ 86512

Enrollment

166

Score

4.7

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Arizona schools

#1,627 of 2,006

In Sanders

#3 of 3

public schools

In district

#3 of 3

Sanders Unified District (4156)

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around Sanders 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.

Sanders Middle School

4.7/10

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

Sanders Elementary School

7.1/10

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

Valley High School

6.6/10

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

About Sanders Middle School

Sanders Middle School is a public middle school in Sanders, AZ, part of Sanders Unified District (4156). Sanders Middle School serves approximately 166 students, and covers grades 6th-8th. Sanders Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.7 out of 10 and ranks #1,627 of 2,006 schools in AZ.

Structured state assessment records for Sanders Middle School show 15% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 23% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares0.9 pts below AZ schools
  • This school 4.7 · Below Average
  • AZ avg 5.6

What Parents Should Know

At 166 students, Sanders Middle School is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.

Sanders 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.

71% of students at Sanders 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 Progress5.2Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-3.55 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics3.4Needs Improvement35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency2.5% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency12% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency7% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)17% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-9.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile15th
Resources & Environment5.7Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Per-Pupil Spending$21,901
Chronic Absenteeism71.1%

Sanders Middle School — Students at Sanders Middle School score 7% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 17%).

How we calculate scores →

Test Scores AZ EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 14.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 23.4% (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
25%
ELA
54%
2010
Math
36%
ELA
53%
2011
Math
38%
ELA
56%
2012
Math
33%
ELA
43%
2013
Math
32%
ELA
46%
2014
Math
7.5%
ELA
7.5%
2015
Math
2.5%
ELA
2.5%
2016
Math
2.5%
ELA
7.5%
2017
Math
7.5%
ELA
7.5%
2018
Math
7.5%
ELA
12%
2019
Math
7.5%
ELA
12%
2020*
Math
2.5%
ELA
7.5%
2021*
Math
2.5%
ELA
7.5%
2022
Math
2.5%
ELA
12%

* 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: 5.2/10.

How Sanders Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
4.7/10
19th percentile in AZ
Academic
3.4/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
5.2/10
Average
Environment
5.7/10
Average

Location

PO BOX 250, Sanders, AZ 86512

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Sanders Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. ZUNI MIDDLE (rated 6.1/10, 29.5 miles away, in nearby Zuni), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Ganado Middle School (rated 4.9/10, 35.8 miles away, in nearby Ganado), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Sanders, see our Sanders schools guide .

Nearby Schools

18 within 37.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Sanders Elementary School Sanders 1.8 mi 7.1
Valley High School Sanders 1.8 mi 6.6
Pine Springs Day School Houck 13.0 mi 7.8
Wide Ruins Community School Chambers 16.6 mi 8.2
Chi Chil'tah Community School Vanderwagen 24.1 mi 5.3
Hunters Point Boarding School St. Michaels 28.6 mi 7.0
ST ANTHONY INDIAN SCHOOL Zuni 28.9 mi 5.8
ZUNI CHRISTIAN MISSION SCHOOL Zuni 29.1 mi 5.3
ZUNI MIDDLE Zuni 29.5 mi 6.1
ST MICHAELS ASSOC FOR SP ED Saint Michaels 34.5 mi
HILLTOP CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Tse Bonito 34.3 mi 7.0
GALLUP CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Gallup 31.7 mi
Ganado Primary School Ganado 35.7 mi 3.9
Ganado Middle School Ganado 35.8 mi 4.9
Ganado Intermediate School Ganado 35.8 mi 5.1
Tsehootsooi Dine Bi'Olta Fort Defiance 35.4 mi 7.5
TOBE TURPEN ELEMENTARY Gallup 34.4 mi 6.9
WILDCAT CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Gallup 37.0 mi 7.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 86512 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$31,602

Median Home Value

$74,800

Median Rent

$614/mo

Population

2,391

College Educated

5%

Homeownership

67.2%

Poverty Rate

41.4%

Median Age

32.8

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
South Valley Prep and Arts School Phoenix, AZ 4.8
San Manuel Jr. High School San Manuel, AZ 4.4
Academy of Tucson Middle School Tucson, AZ 4.2
Imagine Avondale Middle Avondale, AZ 5.2
Pima Junior High School Pima, AZ 5.2
Lowell School Bisbee, AZ 5.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Sanders Middle School

What grades does Sanders Middle School serve?

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

How many students attend Sanders Middle School?

Sanders Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 166 students.

How does Sanders Middle School rank in AZ?

Sanders Middle School ranks #1,627 of 2,006 schools in AZ.

What is Sanders Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Sanders Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.7 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 Sanders Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Sanders Middle School has 15% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 23% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Sanders Middle School a charter school?

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

Is Sanders Middle School a Title I school?

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

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
4 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
1 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
166
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Apache County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
71.1%

District

Sanders Unified District (4156)
District Enrollment
659
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$21,901
District Rank
#3 of 3

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.