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
Enrollment
166
Score
7.0
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Sanders Middle School — Students at Sanders Middle School score 7% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 16%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
0.3%
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
→ StableAverage 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: 8.4/10.
How Sanders Middle School Compares
See how Sanders Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 7.5% (2019) to 2.5% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 12% (2019) to 12% (2022).
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 166
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Apache County
- Phone
- (855) 678-7873
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Sanders Unified District (4156)- District Enrollment
- 659
- Schools in District
- 4
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $21,901
- District Rank
- #2 of 3
Other Schools in This District
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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