Needs Improvement
#1856 of 2,006 schools in AZ
Santa Maria Middle School
Middle School · Fowler Elementary District (4273) · Phoenix, AZ
A Fowler Elementary District (4273) middle school where students score 16 points below what's typical for similar communities.
7250 W LOWER BUCKEYE RD, Phoenix, AZ 85043
- Math 9% proficient (2022)
- Reading 20% proficient (2022)
- 25.3:1 student-teacher ratio
Academics
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Students at Santa Maria Middle School score 14% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 30%).
2022 EdFacts proficiency
Most recent published year. School vs. AZ average.
Trend
↓ DecliningProficiency has fallen 12 points since 2019, to 15% in 2022, across a 14-year record (2009–2022).
Show all 14 years
Multi-year averages used by the rating model: math 33% (multi-year average, 2009-2022) · reading/ELA 41% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Based on 28 test records from AZ state assessments and EdFacts (NCES).
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 rateThe neighborhood
Where Santa Maria Middle School sits, and what the surrounding area looks like.
Nearby same-level schools are colored by their score. Pins are locations, not attendance boundaries. Open the Phoenix map →
Getting around & local context
- Walk 38Car-Dependent
- Transit 36Some Transit
- Bike 55Bikeable
- City Safety: High3,139/100K
Powered by
FBI Uniform Crime Reporting · 2024 · city context (Phoenix), not school-level safety or attendance eligibility. Source details
Source period: 2024. Freshness not available.
Area profileU.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates (ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates)
Median income
$70,051
Median home value
$288,900
Median rent
$1,496/mo
College educated
13.1%
Homeownership
65.1%
Poverty rate
16%
ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates for the ZCTA associated with school ZIP 85043; this is area context, not an attendance boundary.
Programs & students
Programs & Offerings
Compare nearby
Nearby same-level schools
4 from a 5-mile search; district fallback available
| School | Score | Grades | Distance | Enrollment | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kings Ridge SchoolEnrollment path unverified | 5.6 | 2–8 | 1.1 mi | 358 | Compare → |
| Western Valley Middle SchoolEnrollment path unverified | 4.7 | 6–8 | 1.4 mi | 524 | Compare → |
| Hurley Ranch ElementaryEnrollment path unverified | 4.4 | 3–8 | 2.2 mi | 666 | Compare → |
| Maricopa Institute of Technology (mit)Enrollment path unverified | 5.8 | 7–8 | 2.3 mi | 56 | Compare → |
Distance is proximity only; it is not attendance eligibility.
Enrollment path unverified: Potential public school; its attendance or application path has not been classified.
Fowler Elementary District (4273)
- Schools in district
- 8
- Rank in district
- #8 of 8
- District spending per student
- $10,609NCES F-33 · FY 2023 · This annual source is three years behind the current year.
- District child poverty rate
- 20.3%Census SAIPE · 2024
Santa Maria Middle School is listed in Fowler Elementary District (4273); a district label does not verify attendance for an address.
About Santa Maria Middle School
Santa Maria Middle School is a public middle school in Phoenix, AZ, part of Fowler Elementary District (4273), serving approximately 583 students in grades 6th-8th with a 25.3:1 student-teacher ratio. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 3.8 out of 10 and ranks #1,856 of 2,006 schools in AZ. State assessment records show 33% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 41% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
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 ranks #1,856 of 2,006 schools in AZ.
What is Santa Maria Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Santa Maria Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.8 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 Santa Maria Middle School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Santa Maria Middle School has 33% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 41% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
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.
School factsNCES Common Core of Data (CCD) (SY 2023–24)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 583
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 25.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 23
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Maricopa County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 0.5%
- Phone
- (623) 707-1100
- Area population (ZIP 85043)
- 39,603
- Area average commute
- 29.3 min
- Area median age
- 30.3
Official sources & links
About this school's data
Every number on this page comes from a published source with a stated period. Where a source is partial, aging, or describes a surrounding area rather than the school, that limitation is named below.
- School directory (enrollment, grades, staff, contact)
- NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) · SY 2023–24 · Medium confidence
- Source period: SY 2023–24. A newer release may be available.
- MySchoolScout rating and rank
- MySchoolScout ranking model · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Derived as a weighted blend of the component scores shown in Academics from state assessment, EdFacts growth, and NCES resource records.
- Math proficiency
- State department of education · 2022 EdFacts · Low confidence
- Older source: 2022 EdFacts. Use as historical context.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Reading/ELA proficiency
- State department of education · 2022 EdFacts · Low confidence
- Older source: 2022 EdFacts. Use as historical context.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Student progress (growth)
- NCES EdFacts · Mixed source periods · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived as the fitted year-over-year slope of proficiency from multi-year assessment records.
- Neighborhood (income, housing, education)
- U.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates · ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates · Low confidence
- Older source: ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates. Use as historical context.
- Reported for the ZCTA for ZIP 85043; this does not measure the attendance area.
- Programs (AP/IB, athletics, gifted)
- CRDC via Urban Institute · SY 2021–22 · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: SY 2021–22. A newer release may be available.
Evidence periods: Rating mixed/unknown input periods; assessments multi-year average, 2009-2022; directory SY 2023–24
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.