Average
#1127 of 2,000 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
6.0
Grades
4th – 8th
Enrollment
667
Student-Teacher
20.2:1
Score
6.0
Grades
4th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Mesa
#59 of 119
public schools
Arizona middle schools
#135 of 218
In district
#36 of 76
Mesa Unified District (4235)
About Shepherd Junior High School
Shepherd Junior High School in MESA, Arizona is a regular public middle school serving students from fourth through eighth grade. With an enrollment of 667 students and a student-teacher ratio of 20.2:1, the school has 33 full-time equivalent teachers to support its diverse learning community. Located in a large city setting, Shepherd Junior High offers a variety of programs tailored to meet the needs of young adolescents.
According to MySchoolScout ratings, Shepherd Junior High School is ranked at the 45th percentile among Arizona schools, with an academic score of 5.1 out of 10. While proficiency rates in ELA and reading stand at 37% and math proficiency at 30%, the school continues to focus on student development and academic growth. Shepherd Junior High is situated within a bustling urban environment that provides numerous opportunities for its students beyond the classroom.
Shepherd Junior High School sits in the heart of MESA, surrounded by a vibrant community that supports its educational mission.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Shepherd Junior High School is 20.2:1, 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
Shepherd Junior High School — Students at Shepherd Junior High School score 29% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 37%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
0.1%
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: 5.9/10.
How Shepherd Junior High School Compares
See how Shepherd Junior High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 41% (2019) to 22% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 37% (2019) to 36% (2022).
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. Entz Elementary School (rated 8.2/10, 2.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Bush Elementary (rated 7.9/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Mesa Academy for Advanced Studies (rated 7.6/10, 1.4 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 | 6.1 |
| Bush Elementary Mesa | 1.1 mi | 7.9 |
| O'Connor Elementary School Mesa | 1.3 mi | 4.2 |
| Fremont Junior High School Mesa | 1.4 mi | 6.2 |
| 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 | 5.9 |
| Self Development Charter School Mesa | 1.7 mi | 6.5 |
| Self Development Online Academy Mesa | 1.7 mi | — |
| Red Mountain High School Mesa | 1.9 mi | 6.6 |
| 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 | 8.2 |
| Jefferson Elementary School Mesa | 2.5 mi | 6.8 |
| Pathfinder Academy Mesa | 2.5 mi | 7.2 |
| Madison Elementary School Mesa | 2.8 mi | 4.7 |
| East Valley High School Mesa | 2.6 mi | 5.1 |
| Las Sendas Elementary School Mesa | 2.7 mi | 6.3 |
| Legacy Traditional School - Mesa Chandler | 2.7 mi | 6.1 |
| Red Mountain Ranch Elementary Mesa | 3.2 mi | 5.5 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Shepherd Junior High School has a median household income of $71,294. It is an area where 30% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $301,200, with a median rent of $1,363/month. The local poverty rate of 9.7% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 24 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 |
|---|---|
| Crane Middle School Yuma, AZ | 6.0 |
| Desert Sky Middle School Tucson, AZ | 6.0 |
| Greenway Middle School Phoenix, AZ | 6.0 |
| Pistor Middle School Tucson, AZ | 6.0 |
| R Pete Woodard Jr High School Yuma, AZ | 6.0 |
| Fox Creek Jr High School Bullhead City, AZ | 6.1 |
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 is ranked #1127 out of 2,000 schools in AZ.
What is Shepherd Junior High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Shepherd Junior High School has a composite rating of 6.0 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 Shepherd Junior High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Shepherd Junior High School has 30.0% math proficiency and 36.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
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
- City Safety
- High (1,955/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Mesa). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (480) 472-1800
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Mesa Unified District (4235)- District Enrollment
- 57,204
- Schools in District
- 78
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,121
- District Rank
- #36 of 76
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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