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Needs Improvement

#1856 of 2,006 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

3.8

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Arizona schools

#1,856 of 2,006

In Phoenix

#375 of 422

public schools

In district

#8 of 8

Fowler Elementary District (4273)

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Santa Maria Middle School

3.8/10

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

Asdb - Elp Fbc West Valley Preschool

Nearby

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

Hope High School

4.0/10

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

About Santa Maria Middle School

Santa Maria Middle School is a public middle school in Phoenix, AZ, part of Fowler Elementary District (4273). Santa Maria Middle School serves approximately 583 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 25.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Santa Maria Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.8 out of 10 and ranks #1,856 of 2,006 schools in AZ.

Structured state assessment records for Santa Maria Middle School show 33% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 41% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares0.5 pts below district
  • This school 3.8 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 4.3
  • AZ avg 5.6

What Parents Should Know

Santa Maria Middle School runs 25.3:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress2.4Needs Improvement40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-4.57 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics3.5Needs Improvement35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency9% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency20% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency15% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)30% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-15.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile17th
Resources & Environment6.4Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio25.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,609
Chronic Absenteeism0.5%

Santa Maria Middle School — Students at Santa Maria Middle School score 14% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 30%).

How we calculate scores →

Test Scores AZ EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 33.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 41.1% (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
51%
ELA
70%
2010
Math
55%
ELA
75%
2011
Math
57%
ELA
75%
2012
Math
59%
ELA
72%
2013
Math
52%
ELA
73%
2014
Math
22%
ELA
23%
2015
Math
31%
ELA
28%
2016
Math
30%
ELA
25%
2017
Math
30%
ELA
27%
2018
Math
26%
ELA
27%
2019
Math
26%
ELA
27%
2020*
Math
7.5%
ELA
17%
2021*
Math
7.5%
ELA
17%
2022
Math
9%
ELA
20%

* 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: 2.4/10.

How Santa Maria Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
3.8/10
8th percentile in AZ
Academic
3.5/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
2.4/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
6.4/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Teaching Staff
25:1 student-teacher ratio
23 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
0.5%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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. Maricopa Institute of Technology (MIT) (rated 5.8/10, 2.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Kings Ridge School (rated 5.6/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Western Valley Middle School (rated 4.7/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores slightly 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 4.0
West-MEC - Sierra Linda High School Glendale 0.7 mi
Sierra Linda High School Tolleson 0.7 mi 4.9
Kings Ridge School Phoenix 1.1 mi 5.6
South Ridge High School Phoenix 1.2 mi 5.4
Tuscano Elementary School Phoenix 1.1 mi 3.9
Sun Canyon School Phoenix 1.2 mi 6.5
Western Valley Elementary School Phoenix 1.3 mi 5.2
Western Valley Middle School Phoenix 1.4 mi 4.7
Fowler Elementary School District Virtual Academy Phoenix 1.4 mi 7.1
Fowler Elementary School Phoenix 2.0 mi 4.2
Dos Rios Elementary Tolleson 1.9 mi 5.3
Hurley Ranch Elementary Tolleson 2.2 mi 4.4
Maricopa Institute of Technology Tolleson 2.3 mi 6.1
Maricopa Institute of Technology (MIT) Phoenix 2.3 mi 5.8
Country Gardens Charter School Laveen 2.6 mi 6.2
Trailside Point Performing Arts Academy Laveen 2.7 mi 5.2
Midtown High School Phoenix 2.8 mi
Precision Academy Phoenix 2.8 mi 3.2

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Choice Learning Academy Phoenix, AZ 3.8
Desert Sands Academy of Mass Communication & Journalism Phoenix, AZ 3.8
Greenway Middle School Phoenix, AZ 3.7
Geneva Epps Mosley Middle School Tempe, AZ 3.9
Gila Vista Jr High School Yuma, AZ 3.9
Isaac Middle School Phoenix, AZ 3.9

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
38 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
36 Some Transit
Bike Score
55 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
0.5%

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