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Very Good

#652 of 2,000 schools in AZ

Top 33% in state

Sanders Middle School

Middle School · Sanders Unified District (4156)

PO BOX 250, Sanders, AZ 86512

Enrollment

166

Score

7.0

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Sanders

#2 of 3

public schools

Arizona middle schools

#57 of 218

In district

#2 of 3

Sanders Unified District (4156)

School environment

9.5 / 10

Exceptional

About Sanders Middle School

Sanders Middle School is a regular public school located in the remote rural area of Sanders, Arizona. Serving students from sixth to eighth grade, the school has an enrollment of 166 students. While specific student-teacher ratio and teacher numbers are not reported, Sanders Middle School focuses on providing education in a close-knit community setting.

The academic performance at Sanders Middle School is currently rated lower compared to other schools in Arizona, with a MySchoolScout Rating of 3.4 out of 10 and an academic score of 1.2 out of 10. In terms of standardized testing, only 10% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while just 4% are proficient or above in Math. Despite these challenges, the school is dedicated to supporting student development and growth.

Sanders Middle School sits within a remote rural community where it serves as an essential educational resource for local families. The setting provides a unique backdrop for students to connect with their surroundings and build a strong sense of community.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 166 students, Sanders Middle School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

While current test scores at Sanders Middle School 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.

Located in a rural area, Sanders 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 metrics
Student Progress8.4Excellent40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.97 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics3.5Fair35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency2.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency12%
Overall Proficiency7%
Expected (poverty-adj.)16%
vs. Expected-8.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile16th
Resources & Environment9.5Exceptional25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Per-Pupil Spending$20,044

Sanders Middle School — Students at Sanders Middle School score 7% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 16%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

0.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores AZ EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 4.2%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 10.5%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from AZ state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
7.5%
ELA
12%
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: 8.4/10.

How Sanders Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
7.0/10
68th percentile in AZ
Academic
3.5/10
3.5/10
Growth
8.4/10
Above average
Environment
9.5/10
Above 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. Ganado Middle School (rated 7.4/10, 35.8 miles away, in nearby Ganado), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, ZUNI MIDDLE (rated 6.5/10, 29.5 miles away, in nearby Zuni), with a comparable 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 8.0
Valley High School Sanders 1.8 mi 5.3
Pine Springs Day School Houck 13.0 mi 8.1
Wide Ruins Community School Chambers 16.6 mi 8.1
Chi Chil'tah Community School Vanderwagen 24.1 mi 8.1
Hunters Point Boarding School St. Michaels 28.6 mi 8.0
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 6.5
ST MICHAELS ASSOC FOR SP ED Saint Michaels 34.5 mi
HILLTOP CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Tse Bonito 34.3 mi 7.2
GALLUP CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Gallup 31.7 mi
Ganado Primary School Ganado 35.7 mi 7.9
Ganado Middle School Ganado 35.8 mi 7.4
Ganado Intermediate School Ganado 35.8 mi 4.9
Tsehootsooi Dine Bi'Olta Fort Defiance 35.4 mi 7.1
TOBE TURPEN ELEMENTARY Gallup 34.4 mi 4.0
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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Sanders Middle School has a median household income of $31,602. It is a community where 5% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $74,800, with a median rent of $614/month. The area has a poverty rate of 41.4%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Altar Valley Middle School Tucson, AZ 7.1
Capps Elementary School Heber, AZ 6.9
Taylor Intermediate School Snowflake, AZ 6.9
CASITA DAYCARE & PRESCHOOL Tucson, AZ 7.2
Center for Academic Success #4 - Douglas 5-8 Douglas, AZ 6.8
Utterback Middle School Tucson, AZ 7.2

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 is ranked #652 out of 2,000 schools in AZ.

What is Sanders Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Sanders Middle School has a composite rating of 7.0 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 Sanders Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Sanders Middle School has 4.2% math proficiency and 10.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

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
County Safety
Low (192/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
166
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Apache County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

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 methodology

Related reading

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