Below Average
#1876 of 2,000 schools in AZ
Santa Maria Middle School
Middle School · Fowler Elementary District (4273)
7250 W LOWER BUCKEYE RD, Phoenix, AZ 85043
Enrollment
583
Student-Teacher
25.3:1
Score
4.1
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
583
Student-Teacher
25.3:1
Score
4.1
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Phoenix
#363 of 398
public schools
Arizona middle schools
#212 of 218
In district
#7 of 8
Fowler Elementary District (4273)
About Santa Maria Middle School
Santa Maria Middle School is a regular public middle school located in the bustling city of Phoenix, Arizona. Serving grades 6 through 8, the school has an enrollment of 583 students, with a student-teacher ratio of 25.3 to 1. The school’s setting is in a large city, within the 85043 ZIP code, which has a median household income of $66,158 and a median home value of $256,200.
The neighborhood has a population of 40,091, with 13% of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher and a poverty rate of 14.2%. Santa Maria Middle School currently ranks 1937 out of 2029 schools in Arizona, placing it in the 5th percentile statewide. The school’s MySchoolScout Rating is 2.7 out of 10, reflecting areas where there is room for academic growth.
In terms of academic performance, 20% of students are proficient or above in English language arts and reading, while only 9% are proficient or above in math. Despite these challenges, the school is dedicated to supporting its students and providing a nurturing environment for their development. Santa Maria Middle School is situated in a vibrant community where students can engage with the diverse and dynamic city of Phoenix.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Santa Maria Middle School is 25.3:1, 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.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Santa Maria Middle School — Students at Santa Maria Middle School score 14% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 30%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
0.2%
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: 4.7/10.
How Santa Maria Middle School Compares
See how Santa Maria Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 26% (2019) to 9% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 27% (2019) to 20% (2022).
Location
7250 W LOWER BUCKEYE RD, Phoenix, AZ 85043
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Santa Maria Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Hurley Ranch Elementary (rated 6.7/10, 2.2 miles away, in nearby Tolleson), which scores notably higher. Another option is Kings Ridge School (rated 5.9/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Maricopa Institute of Technology (MIT) (rated 5.8/10, 2.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Phoenix, see our Phoenix schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| ASDB - ELP FBC West Valley Preschool Tucson | 0.4 mi | — |
| Hope High School Phoenix | 0.5 mi | 4.9 |
| West-MEC - Sierra Linda High School Glendale | 0.7 mi | — |
| Sierra Linda High School Tolleson | 0.7 mi | 4.5 |
| Kings Ridge School Phoenix | 1.1 mi | 5.9 |
| South Ridge High School Phoenix | 1.2 mi | 5.5 |
| Tuscano Elementary School Phoenix | 1.1 mi | 5.9 |
| Sun Canyon School Phoenix | 1.2 mi | 4.2 |
| Western Valley Elementary School Phoenix | 1.3 mi | 3.9 |
| Western Valley Middle School Phoenix | 1.4 mi | 4.9 |
| Fowler Elementary School District Virtual Academy Phoenix | 1.4 mi | 6.7 |
| Fowler Elementary School Phoenix | 2.0 mi | 5.7 |
| Dos Rios Elementary Tolleson | 1.9 mi | 4.5 |
| Hurley Ranch Elementary Tolleson | 2.2 mi | 6.7 |
| Maricopa Institute of Technology Tolleson | 2.3 mi | 4.9 |
| Maricopa Institute of Technology (MIT) Phoenix | 2.3 mi | 5.8 |
| Country Gardens Charter School Laveen | 2.6 mi | 4.5 |
| Trailside Point Performing Arts Academy Laveen | 2.7 mi | 4.1 |
| Midtown High School Phoenix | 2.8 mi | — |
| Precision Academy Phoenix | 2.8 mi | 6.2 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 85043 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$70,051
Median Home Value
$288,900
Median Rent
$1,496/mo
Population
39,603
College Educated
13.1%
Homeownership
65.1%
Avg Commute
29.3 min
Poverty Rate
16%
Median Age
30.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding Santa Maria Middle School has a median household income of $70,051. It is a community where 13% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $288,900, with a median rent of $1,496/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.0%. The average commute for residents is 29 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 |
|---|---|
| Villago Middle School Casa Grande, AZ | 3.9 |
| Ron Watson Middle School Yuma, AZ | 4.3 |
| Challenger Middle School Tucson, AZ | 4.4 |
| Billy Lane Lauffer Middle School Tucson, AZ | 4.6 |
| Centennial Middle School Yuma, AZ | 4.7 |
| Gallego Intermediate Fine Arts Magnet School Tucson, AZ | 4.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Santa Maria Middle School
What grades does Santa Maria Middle School serve?
Santa Maria Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Santa Maria Middle School?
Santa Maria Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 583 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Santa Maria Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at Santa Maria Middle School is 25.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Santa Maria Middle School rank in AZ?
Santa Maria Middle School is ranked #1876 out of 2,000 schools in AZ.
What is Santa Maria Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Santa Maria Middle School has a composite rating of 4.1 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 Santa Maria Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Santa Maria Middle School has 14.2% math proficiency and 21.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Santa Maria Middle School a charter school?
No, Santa Maria Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Santa Maria Middle School a Title I school?
No, Santa Maria Middle School is not currently a Title I school.
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (3,139/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Phoenix). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 583
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 25.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 23
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Maricopa County
- Phone
- (623) 707-1100
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Fowler Elementary District (4273)- District Enrollment
- 3,511
- Schools in District
- 8
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $10,609
- District Rank
- #7 of 8
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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