Below Average
#1650 of 2,006 schools in AZ
Shepherd Junior High School
Middle School · Mesa Unified District (4235)
1407 N ALTA MESA DR, Mesa, AZ 85205
Enrollment
667
Student-Teacher
20.2:1
Score
4.6
Grades
4th – 8th
Enrollment
667
Student-Teacher
20.2:1
Score
4.6
Grades
4th – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Arizona schools
#1,650 of 2,006
In Mesa
#103 of 129
public schools
In district
#58 of 76
Mesa Unified District (4235)
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Shepherd Junior High School
Middle School in Mesa · grades 4th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Mendoza Elementary School
0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Bush Elementary
1.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Shepherd Junior High School
Shepherd Junior High School is a public middle school in Mesa, AZ, part of Mesa Unified District (4235). Shepherd Junior High School serves approximately 667 students, and covers grades 4th-8th, and has a 20.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Shepherd Junior High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.6 out of 10 and ranks #1,650 of 2,006 schools in AZ.
Structured state assessment records for Shepherd Junior High School show 51% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 55% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 4.6 · Below Average
- District avg 5.0
- AZ avg 5.6
What Parents Should Know
Shepherd Junior High School runs 20.2:1 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.
34% of students at Shepherd Junior High School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Shepherd Junior High School — Students at Shepherd Junior High School score 29% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 37%).
Test Scores AZ EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 28 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: 1.9/10.
How Shepherd Junior High School Compares
See how Shepherd Junior High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
1407 N ALTA MESA DR, Mesa, AZ 85205
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Shepherd Junior High School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Las Sendas Elementary School (rated 9.0/10, 2.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Bush Elementary (rated 8.4/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Entz Elementary School (rated 8.3/10, 2.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Mesa, see our Mesa schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Mendoza Elementary School Mesa | 0.2 mi | 8.0 |
| Bush Elementary Mesa | 1.1 mi | 8.4 |
| O'Connor Elementary School Mesa | 1.3 mi | 4.8 |
| Fremont Junior High School Mesa | 1.4 mi | 6.3 |
| Mesa Academy for Advanced Studies Mesa | 1.4 mi | 7.6 |
| DESERT SHADOWS MONTESSORI Mesa | 1.7 mi | 4.0 |
| Salk Elementary School Mesa | 1.6 mi | 3.8 |
| Self Development Charter School Mesa | 1.7 mi | 7.9 |
| Self Development Online Academy Mesa | 1.7 mi | — |
| Red Mountain High School Mesa | 1.9 mi | 7.8 |
| EVIT - Red Mountain High School Mesa | 1.9 mi | — |
| Falcon Hill Elementary School Mesa | 1.9 mi | 5.5 |
| Entz Elementary School Mesa | 2.2 mi | 8.3 |
| Jefferson Elementary School Mesa | 2.5 mi | 8.1 |
| Pathfinder Academy Mesa | 2.5 mi | 7.7 |
| Madison Elementary School Mesa | 2.8 mi | 6.0 |
| East Valley High School Mesa | 2.6 mi | 5.6 |
| Las Sendas Elementary School Mesa | 2.7 mi | 9.0 |
| Legacy Traditional School - Mesa Chandler | 2.7 mi | 6.8 |
| Red Mountain Ranch Elementary Mesa | 3.2 mi | 7.5 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 85205 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$71,294
Median Home Value
$301,200
Median Rent
$1,363/mo
Population
44,704
College Educated
29.5%
Homeownership
72.1%
Avg Commute
24 min
Poverty Rate
9.7%
Median Age
49.9
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Kyrene Centennial Middle School Phoenix, AZ | 4.6 |
| Safford Middle School Safford, AZ | 4.6 |
| Bullhead City Middle School Bullhead City, AZ | 4.5 |
| John M Andersen Jr High School Chandler, AZ | 4.5 |
| Osborn Middle School Phoenix, AZ | 4.5 |
| Wilson Elementary School Phoenix, AZ | 4.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Shepherd Junior High School
What grades does Shepherd Junior High School serve?
Shepherd Junior High School serves students in grades 4th through 8th.
How many students attend Shepherd Junior High School?
Shepherd Junior High School has an enrollment of approximately 667 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Shepherd Junior High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Shepherd Junior High School is 20.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Shepherd Junior High School rank in AZ?
Shepherd Junior High School ranks #1,650 of 2,006 schools in AZ.
What is Shepherd Junior High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Shepherd Junior High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.6 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 Shepherd Junior High School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Shepherd Junior High School has 51% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 55% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
Is Shepherd Junior High School a charter school?
No, Shepherd Junior High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Shepherd Junior High School a Title I school?
No, Shepherd Junior High School is not currently a Title I school.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 4th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 667
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 20.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 33
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Maricopa County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 33.7%
- Phone
- (480) 472-1800
Resources & Links
District
Mesa Unified District (4235)- District Enrollment
- 57,204
- Schools in District
- 78
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,121
- District Rank
- #58 of 76
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