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Below Average

#1670 of 2,000 schools in AZ

South Valley Prep and Arts School

Middle School · South Valley Academy Inc. (90540)

4039 E RAYMOND ST STE 3, Phoenix, AZ 85040

Charter

Enrollment

228

Score

4.8

Grades

5th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Phoenix

#326 of 398

public schools

Arizona middle schools

#194 of 218

Academic growth

7.2 / 10

Strong

About South Valley Prep and Arts School

South Valley Prep and Arts School is a charter middle school located in Phoenix, Arizona, serving students in grades 5 through 8. With an enrollment of 228 students, the school offers an alternative educational approach, focusing on both academic and artistic development. Although the student-teacher ratio is not reported, the school aims to provide a supportive and engaging environment for its students.

South Valley Prep and Arts School has a MySchoolScout rating of 3.2 out of 10 and ranks at the 9th percentile among schools in Arizona. Academically, the school is in the lower range, with 24% of students proficient or above in English Language Arts and Reading, and only 8% proficient or above in math. Despite these scores, the school is committed to providing a nurturing environment that focuses on student development and growth.

The school is situated in an area with a median household income of $55,771, where 23.7% of the population lives below the poverty line. The neighborhood is part of a larger city setting, with a ZIP code population of 34,861 and a relatively low percentage of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher. Despite the challenges, South Valley Prep and Arts School is dedicated to offering its students a supportive and enriching educational experience.

South Valley Prep and Arts School is nestled in a diverse and vibrant part of Phoenix, where community resources and cultural opportunities are readily available to its students.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at South Valley Prep and Arts School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

South Valley Prep and Arts School 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 Progress7.2Very Good40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2.24 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics3.3Fair35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency8%
Reading/ELA Proficiency24%
Overall Proficiency16%
Expected (poverty-adj.)38%
vs. Expected-22.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile15th
Resources & Environment3.0Fair25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Per-Pupil Spending$9,011

South Valley Prep and Arts School — Students at South Valley Prep and Arts School score 16% 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 8.7%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 22.0%
School
State
N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
15%
ELA
28%
2021*
Math
3%
ELA
14%
2022
Math
8%
ELA
24%

* 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: 7.2/10.

How South Valley Prep and Arts School Compares

See how South Valley Prep and Arts School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.8/10
17th percentile in AZ
Academic
3.3/10
3.3/10
Growth
7.2/10
Above average
Environment
3.0/10
Below average

Location

4039 E RAYMOND ST STE 3, Phoenix, AZ 85040

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering South Valley Prep and Arts School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Phoenix International Academy (rated 8.8/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Kyrene de las Lomas School (rated 8.4/10, 2.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, 91ST PSALM CHRISTIAN SCHOOL (rated 7.9/10, 2.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Phoenix, see our Phoenix schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Skyline Prep High School Chandler 0.0 mi 7.3
South Phoenix Prep and Arts Academy Phoenix 0.0 mi 3.9
AWAKENING SEED SCHOOL Phoenix 0.5 mi 5.8
Nevitt Elementary School Phoenix 0.9 mi 4.7
George Gervin Prep Academy Tempe 1.6 mi 6.9
Desert Marigold School Phoenix 1.6 mi 5.9
Pinnacle High School - Tempe Tempe 1.7 mi
Pinnacle Online High School Tempe 1.7 mi 4.6
Cloves C Campbell Sr Elementary School Phoenix 1.7 mi 6.6
Phoenix International Academy Phoenix 2.0 mi 8.8
BASIS Ahwatukee Phoenix 2.2 mi 7.7
Frank Elementary School Guadalupe 2.1 mi 4.0
T G Barr School Phoenix 2.3 mi 7.5
Kyrene de las Lomas School Phoenix 2.8 mi 8.4
91ST PSALM CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Phoenix 2.3 mi 7.9
Kaizen Education Foundation dba South Pointe Elementary Scho Tempe 2.5 mi 6.2
AAEC - SMCC Campus Phoenix 2.5 mi 4.6
Martin Luther King Early Childhood Center Phoenix 2.7 mi 5.7
Percy L Julian School Phoenix 2.7 mi 7.0
Wood School Tempe 2.7 mi 6.3

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 Valley Prep and Arts School 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
Imagine Surprise Middle Phoenix, AZ 4.7
Willcox Middle School Willcox, AZ 4.7
Bradshaw Mountain Middle School Dewey-Humboldt, AZ 4.9
Imagine Superstition Middle Apache Junction, AZ 4.9
San Carlos Middle School San Carlos, AZ 5.0
Academy of Tucson Middle School Tucson, AZ 5.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about South Valley Prep and Arts School

What grades does South Valley Prep and Arts School serve?

South Valley Prep and Arts School serves students in grades 5th through 8th.

How many students attend South Valley Prep and Arts School?

South Valley Prep and Arts School has an enrollment of approximately 228 students.

How does South Valley Prep and Arts School rank in AZ?

South Valley Prep and Arts School is ranked #1670 out of 2,000 schools in AZ.

What is South Valley Prep and Arts School's MySchoolScout rating?

South Valley Prep and Arts School has a composite rating of 4.8 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 Valley Prep and Arts School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, South Valley Prep and Arts School has 8.7% math proficiency and 22.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is South Valley Prep and Arts School a charter school?

Yes, South Valley Prep and Arts School is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.

Is South Valley Prep and Arts School a Title I school?

No, South Valley Prep and Arts School is not currently a Title I school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
High (3,139/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
5th – 8th
Enrollment
228
Type
alternative
Setting
Large City
County
Maricopa County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

South Valley Academy Inc. (90540)
District Enrollment
228
Schools in District
1
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,542
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

Related reading

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