Very Good
#369 of 2,000 schools in AZ
Top 18% in state
South Mountain Preparatory Academy
Elementary School · Kaizen Education Foundation dba Advance U (91329)
449 E SOUTHERN AVE, Phoenix, AZ 85040
Enrollment
62
Score
7.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 3rd
Enrollment
62
Score
7.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 3rd
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Phoenix
#51 of 398
public schools
Arizona elementary schools
#274 of 1,216
Academic growth
9.0 / 10
Exceptional
About South Mountain Preparatory Academy
South Mountain Preparatory Academy is a charter elementary school located in the heart of Phoenix, Arizona, offering education from kindergarten through third grade. With a current enrollment of 62 students, the school provides a personalized learning environment. The school's MySchoolScout rating of 4.4 out of 10 reflects areas with room for improvement in academic performance, as indicated by its state ranking of 1394 out of 2029 schools in Arizona.
In terms of test scores, 25% of students are proficient or above in both English Language Arts and Math, indicating a focus on student development and support. The school is situated in a diverse neighborhood within the 85040 ZIP code, where the median household income is $55,771 and the poverty rate is 23.7%. The area has a median home value of $240,100 and approximately 13% of residents have a bachelor's degree or higher.
South Mountain Preparatory Academy is embedded in a vibrant community that values education and is committed to the growth and well-being of its young students.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 62 students, South Mountain Preparatory Academy is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
South Mountain Preparatory Academy is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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South Mountain Preparatory Academy — Students at South Mountain Preparatory Academy score 25% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 38%).
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
→ StableAverage 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: 9.0/10.
How South Mountain Preparatory Academy Compares
See how South Mountain Preparatory Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 25% (2019) to 25% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 25% (2019) to 25% (2022).
Location
449 E SOUTHERN AVE, Phoenix, AZ 85040
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering South Mountain Preparatory Academy may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. ASU Preparatory Academy - South Phoenix Primary (rated 8.0/10, 0.3 miles away, in nearby Tempe), which scores slightly higher. Another option is V H Lassen Elementary School (rated 7.0/10, 1.1 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Irene Lopez School (rated 6.3/10, 1.1 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Phoenix, see our Phoenix schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.2 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 85040 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$57,890
Median Home Value
$294,800
Median Rent
$1,193/mo
Population
33,325
College Educated
14.6%
Homeownership
47.6%
Avg Commute
25.5 min
Poverty Rate
23.1%
Median Age
30.7
Community Profile
The community surrounding South Mountain Preparatory Academy has a median household income of $57,890. It is a community where 15% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $294,800, with a median rent of $1,193/month. The area has a poverty rate of 23.1%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 26 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 |
|---|---|
| SAN XAVIER MISSION SCHOOL Tucson, AZ | 7.6 |
| Haven Montessori Charter School Flagstaff, AZ | 7.7 |
| Glendale Elementary Online (G.E.O.) Learning Glendale, AZ | 7.8 |
| K.U.S.D.#27 - A B C Preschool Kayenta, AZ | 7.8 |
| Rocky Ridge Boarding School Kykotsmovi, AZ | 7.8 |
| ALL SAINTS CATHOLIC SCHOOL Sierra Vista, AZ | 7.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about South Mountain Preparatory Academy
What grades does South Mountain Preparatory Academy serve?
South Mountain Preparatory Academy serves students in grades Kindergarten through 3rd.
How many students attend South Mountain Preparatory Academy?
South Mountain Preparatory Academy has an enrollment of approximately 62 students.
How does South Mountain Preparatory Academy rank in AZ?
South Mountain Preparatory Academy is ranked #369 out of 2,000 schools in AZ.
What is South Mountain Preparatory Academy's MySchoolScout rating?
South Mountain Preparatory Academy has a composite rating of 7.6 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 South Mountain Preparatory Academy?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, South Mountain Preparatory Academy has 25.0% math proficiency and 25.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is South Mountain Preparatory Academy a charter school?
Yes, South Mountain Preparatory Academy is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.
Is South Mountain Preparatory Academy a Title I school?
No, South Mountain Preparatory Academy is not currently a Title I school.
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 3rd
- Enrollment
- 62
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Maricopa County
- Phone
- (602) 243-8531
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Kaizen Education Foundation dba Advance U (91329)- District Enrollment
- 62
- Schools in District
- 1
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,269
- District Rank
- #1 of 1
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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