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Average

#1395 of 2,000 schools in AZ

Step Up School

Elementary School · STEP UP Schools Inc. (4313)

44 E 5TH ST, Mesa, AZ 85201

Charter

Enrollment

64

Score

5.5

Grades

Kindergarten – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Mesa

#79 of 119

public schools

Arizona elementary schools

#837 of 1,216

School environment

8.6 / 10

Exceptional

About Step Up School

STEP UP SCHOOL is a charter school located in the heart of Mesa, Arizona, serving students from kindergarten through eighth grade. With a small enrollment of 64 students, the school offers a personalized learning environment where each child can receive individual attention. Despite not having specific details on the student-teacher ratio or the number of teachers, the small class sizes suggest that students benefit from a nurturing and supportive educational setting.

STEP UP SCHOOL's academic performance currently reflects areas for growth, with a MySchoolScout rating of 2.6 out of 10 and a state ranking of 1940 out of 2029 schools in Arizona. The ELA/Reading and Math proficiency rates sit at 10% each, indicating the school is focusing on student development and improvement. The school's setting within a large city offers students access to a variety of resources and community programs that can enhance their learning experience.

STEP UP SCHOOL is situated in an area with a median household income of $57,684 and a population of around 52,000, where approximately one in six residents lives below the poverty line. The neighborhood has a mix of college-educated individuals and those without higher education, providing a diverse community backdrop for the school's students.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 64 students, Step Up School 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.

While current test scores at Step Up 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.

Step Up 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 Progress6.2Above Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-3.07 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics2.2Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency10%
Reading/ELA Proficiency10%
Overall Proficiency10%
Expected (poverty-adj.)38%
vs. Expected-28.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile5th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment8.6Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Per-Pupil Spending$17,145

Step Up School — Students at Step Up School score 10% 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 19.8%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 11.7%
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
24.5%
ELA
15%
2021*
Math
25%
ELA
10%
2022
Math
10%
ELA
10%

* 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: 6.2/10.

How Step Up School Compares

See how Step Up School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.5/10
30th percentile in AZ
Academic
2.2/10
2.2/10
Growth
6.2/10
Above average
Environment
8.6/10
Above average

Location

44 E 5TH ST, Mesa, AZ 85201

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Step Up School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. HEARTWOOD MONTESSORI (rated 8.3/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is New Horizon School for the Performing Arts (rated 7.7/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Lowell Elementary School (rated 7.4/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Mesa, see our Mesa schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.5 mi
School Distance Rating
QUEEN OF PEACE CATHOLIC SCHOOL Mesa 0.4 mi 5.4
HEARTWOOD MONTESSORI Mesa 0.6 mi 8.3
Eisenhower Center for Innovation Mesa 0.6 mi 5.2
Heritage Academy Mesa 0.7 mi 5.8
Early Education Center Mesa 0.7 mi 6.1
Mesa Distance Learning Program Mesa 0.8 mi 7.3
Franklin Accelerated Academy - Downtown Campus Mesa 1.0 mi 6.7
Edison Elementary School Mesa 0.9 mi 5.6
Concordia Charter School Mesa 1.0 mi 4.8
Kino Junior High School Mesa 1.0 mi 5.0
New Horizon School for the Performing Arts Mesa 1.2 mi 7.7
Kerr Center for Agriscience Mesa 1.3 mi 5.4
Westwood High School Mesa 1.2 mi 8.0
Mesa Arts Academy Mesa 1.5 mi 3.9
Emerson Elementary School Mesa 1.2 mi 4.7
Carson Junior High School Mesa 1.2 mi 4.7
Lowell Elementary School Mesa 1.6 mi 7.4
Whitman Elementary School Mesa 1.7 mi 5.0
REDEEMER CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Mesa 1.5 mi 7.5
Learning Foundation Mesa 1.5 mi 5.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 85201 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$63,725

Median Home Value

$292,600

Median Rent

$1,349/mo

Population

52,484

College Educated

26.5%

Homeownership

39%

Avg Commute

24 min

Poverty Rate

15.5%

Median Age

32.1

Community Profile

The community surrounding Step Up School has a median household income of $63,725. It is an area where 27% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $292,600, with a median rent of $1,349/month. The area has a poverty rate of 15.5%. 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
CHRIST CHURCH SCHOOL Paradise Valley, AZ 5.5
EMMAUS LUTHERAN SCHOOL Phoenix, AZ 5.5
FIRST SOUTHERN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Tucson, AZ 5.4
RED SANDS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Winslow, AZ 5.7
ARROWHEAD MONTESSORI Peoria, AZ 5.2
AWAKENING SEED SCHOOL Phoenix, AZ 5.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Step Up School

What grades does Step Up School serve?

Step Up School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.

How many students attend Step Up School?

Step Up School has an enrollment of approximately 64 students.

How does Step Up School rank in AZ?

Step Up School is ranked #1395 out of 2,000 schools in AZ.

What is Step Up School's MySchoolScout rating?

Step Up School has a composite rating of 5.5 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 Step Up School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Step Up School has 19.8% math proficiency and 11.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Step Up School a charter school?

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

Is Step Up School a Title I school?

No, Step Up School is not currently a Title I school.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
64
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Maricopa County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

STEP UP Schools Inc. (4313)
District Enrollment
64
Schools in District
1
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,048
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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