Skip to main content

Average

#1477 of 2,000 schools in AZ

Southgate Academy

School · Southgate Academy Inc. (79085)

850 W VALENCIA RD, Tucson, AZ 85706

Charter

Enrollment

477

Score

5.3

Grades

Kindergarten – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Tucson

#176 of 246

public schools

Arizona schools

#105 of 137

Academic growth

8.1 / 10

Very strong

About Southgate Academy

Southgate Academy is a charter school located in Tucson, Arizona, offering education from kindergarten through 12th grade. With an enrollment of 477 students, the school serves a diverse community within a large city setting. As an alternative school, Southgate Academy aims to provide flexible and supportive educational options for students who may not thrive in traditional school environments.

Academically, Southgate Academy is currently focusing on student development and has room for improvement. According to MySchoolScout, the school ranks 2002 out of 2029 schools in Arizona, indicating that there is significant potential for academic growth. Test scores show that 5% of students are proficient in ELA/Reading and 2% in Math, highlighting areas where the school is working to enhance educational outcomes.

The neighborhood around Southgate Academy is characterized by a median household income of $46,532 and a median home value of $144,500. The area has a 25.2% poverty rate and a college-educated population of only 9% with a bachelor's degree or higher, reflecting a community that faces economic challenges. Despite these challenges, Southgate Academy remains committed to providing its students with the support and resources they need to succeed.

Southgate Academy is situated in a bustling part of Tucson, surrounded by a vibrant and culturally rich community.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at Southgate Academy 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.

Southgate 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 · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress8.1Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.27 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics1.4Significantly Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency2%
Reading/ELA Proficiency5%
Overall Proficiency4%
Expected (poverty-adj.)33%
vs. Expected-29.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile1th
College Readiness7.1Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment4.1Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Per-Pupil Spending$10,671

Southgate Academy — Students at Southgate Academy score 4% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

0.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores AZ EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 2.8%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 5.7%
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
6%
ELA
8%
2021*
Math
0.5%
ELA
4%
2022
Math
2%
ELA
5%

* 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: 8.1/10.

How Southgate Academy Compares

See how Southgate Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.3/10
26th percentile in AZ
Academic
1.4/10
1.4/10
Growth
8.1/10
Above average
Environment
4.1/10
Below average

Location

850 W VALENCIA RD, Tucson, AZ 85706

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Southgate Academy may also want to explore other schools in the area. Pima Vocational High School (rated 8.0/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Tucson International Academy Midvale (rated 6.6/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, STAR Academic High School (rated 5.9/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Tucson, see our Tucson schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Math and Science Success Academy Tucson 0.4 mi 5.6
Mission Manor Elementary School Tucson 0.5 mi 5.1
Santa Clara Elementary School Tucson 0.6 mi 3.6
SAN MIGUEL HIGH SCHOOL Tucson 0.7 mi 5.5
Elvira Elementary School Tucson 0.8 mi 4.4
La Paloma Academy-South Tucson 1.0 mi 4.4
Tucson International Academy Midvale Tucson 1.0 mi 6.6
Challenger Middle School Tucson 1.1 mi 4.4
Ombudsman - Charter Valencia Tucson 1.1 mi 5.0
Liberty Elementary School Tucson 1.4 mi 4.2
Apollo Middle School Tucson 1.5 mi 5.8
Raul Grijalva Elementary School Tucson 1.5 mi 4.4
Pima County JTED - Star Tucson 1.8 mi
STAR Academic High School Tucson 1.8 mi 5.9
Drexel Elementary School Tucson 1.7 mi 4.6
Toltecali High School Tucson 2.0 mi 5.0
Pima Vocational High School Tucson 2.0 mi 8.0
Pima Rose Academy Tucson 2.1 mi 3.9
C E Rose Elementary School Tucson 2.5 mi 5.7
Sierra 2-8 School Tucson 2.2 mi 4.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 85706 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$49,072

Median Home Value

$169,600

Median Rent

$981/mo

Population

56,022

College Educated

9.6%

Homeownership

57.9%

Avg Commute

22.3 min

Poverty Rate

23.1%

Median Age

29.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding Southgate Academy has a median household income of $49,072. It is a community where 10% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $169,600, with a median rent of $981/month. The area has a poverty rate of 23.1%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 22 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
TRINITY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Prescott, AZ 5.4
Academy of Math and Science Tucson, AZ 5.5
Toltec Elementary School Eloy, AZ 5.5
Presidio School Tucson, AZ 5.7
NORTH VALLEY CHRISTAIN ACADEMY Anthem, AZ 4.8
The Paideia Academy of South Phoenix Phoenix, AZ 4.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Southgate Academy

What grades does Southgate Academy serve?

Southgate Academy serves students in grades Kindergarten through 12th.

How many students attend Southgate Academy?

Southgate Academy has an enrollment of approximately 477 students.

How does Southgate Academy rank in AZ?

Southgate Academy is ranked #1477 out of 2,000 schools in AZ.

What is Southgate Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

Southgate Academy has a composite rating of 5.3 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 Southgate Academy?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Southgate Academy has 2.8% math proficiency and 5.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Southgate Academy a charter school?

Yes, Southgate Academy is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.

Is Southgate Academy a Title I school?

No, Southgate Academy is not currently a Title I school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
High (3,922/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Enrollment
477
Type
alternative
Setting
Large City
County
Pima County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Southgate Academy Inc. (79085)
District Enrollment
477
Schools in District
1
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,556
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

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.