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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

Charter

Enrollment

62

Score

7.6

Grades

Kindergarten – 3rd

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 metrics
Student Progress9.0Exceptional50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change0 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics5.2Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency25%
Reading/ELA Proficiency25%
Overall Proficiency25%
Expected (poverty-adj.)38%
vs. Expected-13.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile34th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment7.8Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Per-Pupil Spending$15,727

South Mountain Preparatory Academy — Students at South Mountain Preparatory Academy score 25% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 38%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

0.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores AZ EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 25.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 25.0%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from AZ state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
25%
ELA
25%
2021*
Math
25%
ELA
25%
2022
Math
25%
ELA
25%

* 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.

Overall Score
7.6/10
82th percentile in AZ
Academic
5.2/10
5.2/10
Growth
9.0/10
Above average
Environment
7.8/10
Above average

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 mi
School Distance Rating
ASU Preparatory Academy - South Phoenix Primary Tempe 0.3 mi 8.0
ST CATHERINE OF SIENA CATHOLIC SCHOOL Phoenix 0.3 mi 4.5
ASU Preparatory Academy - South Phoenix Intermediate Tempe 0.4 mi 5.6
South Mountain High School Phoenix 0.5 mi 4.2
Reyes Maria Ruiz Leadership Academy Phoenix 0.7 mi 3.7
AIM Higher College Prep Academy Phoenix 0.7 mi 8.3
John F Kennedy Elementary School Phoenix 0.8 mi 5.3
C O Greenfield School Phoenix 0.9 mi 5.1
OUR LADY OF SORROW ACADEMY Phoenix 1.0 mi 7.8
Sunland Elementary School Phoenix 0.9 mi 4.9
Champion Schools Phoenix 1.1 mi 4.1
Irene Lopez School Phoenix 1.1 mi 6.3
NFL YET College Prep Academy Phoenix 1.2 mi 6.7
ASU Preparatory Academy - South Phoenix High School Tempe 1.2 mi 5.5
V H Lassen Elementary School Phoenix 1.1 mi 7.0
South Pointe Junior High School Phoenix 1.3 mi 6.1
Kaizen Education Foundation dba Quest High School Phoenix 1.3 mi 5.8
Cesar E Chavez Community School Phoenix 1.3 mi 5.4
South Pointe High School Phoenix 1.5 mi 5.2
Hope College and Career Readiness Academy Phoenix 1.2 mi 6.9

Neighborhood 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
71 Very Walkable
Transit Score
45 Some Transit
Bike Score
67 Bikeable
City Safety
High (3,139/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Phoenix). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 3rd
Enrollment
62
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Maricopa County
Data Year
2023–2024

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 methodology

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