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
Enrollment
64
Score
5.5
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
64
Score
5.5
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
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Step Up School — Students at Step Up School score 10% 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
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 6.2/10.
How Step Up School Compares
See how Step Up School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 24.5% (2019) to 10% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 15% (2019) to 10% (2022).
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.
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
- Phone
- (480) 344-2600
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
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 methodologyRelated reading
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