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Below Average

#1736 of 2,006 schools in AZ

Step Up School

Elementary School · STEP UP Schools Inc. (4313)

44 E 5TH ST, Mesa, AZ 85201

Charter

Enrollment

64

Score

4.2

Grades

Kindergarten – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Arizona schools

#1,736 of 2,006

In Mesa

#112 of 129

public schools

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Step Up School

4.2/10

Elementary School in Mesa · grades Kindergarten – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Queen of Peace Catholic School

5.4/10

0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Heartwood Montessori

8.2/10

0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Step Up School

Step Up School is a public elementary school in Mesa, AZ, part of STEP UP Schools Inc. (4313). Step Up School serves approximately 64 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-8th. Step Up School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.2 out of 10 and ranks #1,736 of 2,006 schools in AZ.

Structured state assessment records for Step Up School show 22% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2012-2022) and 24% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2012-2022).

How it compares2.2 pts below AZ schools
  • This school 4.2 · Below Average
  • AZ avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

At 64 students, Step Up School is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.

Step Up School is a charter school: publicly funded, but run with more independence than a traditional district school. Many charters are built around a specific model or focus, so it's worth understanding this one's mission, how enrollment works, and how it differs from the district schools nearby.

63% of students at Step Up School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress5.1Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data11
Annual Change-3.61 pts/yr
Data Period2012–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics2.1Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency10% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency10% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency10% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)38% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-28.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile5th
Resources & Environment5.0Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Per-Pupil Spending$17,048
Chronic Absenteeism62.5%

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 →

Test Scores AZ EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 22.0% (multi-year average, 2012-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 24.0% (multi-year average, 2012-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 22 test records from AZ state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2012
Math
49.5%
ELA
69.5%
2013
Math
34.5%
ELA
74.5%
2014
Math
15%
ELA
15%
2015
Math
15%
ELA
15%
2016
Math
5%
ELA
15%
2017
Math
15%
ELA
15%
2018
Math
24.5%
ELA
15%
2019
Math
24.5%
ELA
15%
2020*
Math
24.5%
ELA
10%
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: 5.1/10.

How Step Up School Compares

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

Overall Score
4.2/10
14th percentile in AZ
Academic
2.1/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
5.1/10
Average
Environment
5.0/10
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. Franklin Accelerated Academy - Downtown Campus (rated 8.3/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is HEARTWOOD MONTESSORI (rated 8.2/10, 0.6 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 8.2
Eisenhower Center for Innovation Mesa 0.6 mi 5.4
Heritage Academy Mesa 0.7 mi 7.5
Early Education Center Mesa 0.7 mi 4.6
Mesa Distance Learning Program Mesa 0.8 mi 5.5
Franklin Accelerated Academy - Downtown Campus Mesa 1.0 mi 8.3
Edison Elementary School Mesa 0.9 mi 4.9
Concordia Charter School Mesa 1.0 mi 7.1
Kino Junior High School Mesa 1.0 mi 2.8
New Horizon School for the Performing Arts Mesa 1.2 mi 3.0
Kerr Center for Agriscience Mesa 1.3 mi 3.5
Westwood High School Mesa 1.2 mi 6.2
Mesa Arts Academy Mesa 1.5 mi 3.1
Emerson Elementary School Mesa 1.2 mi 5.4
Carson Junior High School Mesa 1.2 mi 3.7
Lowell Elementary School Mesa 1.6 mi 7.4
Whitman Elementary School Mesa 1.7 mi 6.8
REDEEMER CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Mesa 1.5 mi 7.5
Learning Foundation Mesa 1.5 mi 5.0

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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Hopi Day School Kykotsmovi, AZ 4.2
Bouse Elementary School Bouse, AZ 4.4
Paulden Community School Paulden, AZ 4.0
ASU Preparatory Academy - South Phoenix Primary Tempe, AZ 4.5
Valentine Elementary School Peach Springs, AZ 4.5
Santa Rosa Ranch School Sells, AZ 3.9

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 ranks #1,736 of 2,006 schools in AZ.

What is Step Up School's MySchoolScout rating?

Step Up School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.2 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Step Up School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Step Up School has 22% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2012-2022) and 24% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2012-2022).

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

Walk Score
65 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
48 Some Transit
Bike Score
86 Very Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
64
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Maricopa County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
62.5%

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

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