Excellent
#254 of 2,000 schools in AZ
Top 13% in state
Ward Traditional Academy
Elementary School · Tempe School District (4258)
1965 E HERMOSA DR, Tempe, AZ 85282
Enrollment
371
Student-Teacher
12.4:1
Score
8.0
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
371
Student-Teacher
12.4:1
Score
8.0
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Tempe
#4 of 47
public schools
Arizona elementary schools
#200 of 1,216
In district
#2 of 22
Tempe School District (4258)
Academic performance
9.4 / 10
Exceptional
About Ward Traditional Academy
Ward Traditional Academy serves 371 students in kindergarten through eighth grade in Tempe, Arizona, earning recognition as one of the state's top-performing elementary schools. With a MySchoolScout rating of 8.3 out of 10 and ranking 58th out of 2,029 Arizona schools, this regular public school places in the 97th percentile statewide. The school maintains a favorable student-teacher ratio of 12.4 to 1 with 30 full-time equivalent teachers.
Academically, Ward Traditional Academy demonstrates strong performance with 66% of students achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and Reading, while 57% reach proficiency in mathematics. These results contribute to the school's impressive 8.9 out of 10 academic score. Ward Traditional Academy draws families from a stable residential area where the median household income reaches $72,895 and 44% of adults hold bachelor's degrees or higher.
The surrounding neighborhood features a median home value of $343,000, reflecting the community's investment in education and family life. With a poverty rate of 12.7% among the area's 52,828 residents, the school serves a diverse mix of families in this established Tempe community.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Ward Traditional Academy — Students at Ward Traditional Academy score 62% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
0.2%
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: 6.5/10.
How Ward Traditional Academy Compares
See how Ward Traditional Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 65% (2019) to 57% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 74% (2019) to 66% (2022).
Location
1965 E HERMOSA DR, Tempe, AZ 85282
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Ward Traditional Academy may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Rover Elementary School (rated 9.2/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Meyer Montessori (rated 7.7/10, 1.3 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Fuller Elementary School (rated 7.2/10, 1.0 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Tempe, see our Tempe schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Valley Preparatory Academy Tempe | 0.7 mi | 4.9 |
| Mcclintock High School Tempe | 0.8 mi | 6.0 |
| Fuller Elementary School Tempe | 1.0 mi | 7.2 |
| Arredondo Elementary School Tempe | 0.9 mi | 6.1 |
| ACCEL EAST CAMPUS Tempe | 1.0 mi | 6.7 |
| Curry Elementary School Tempe | 1.1 mi | 5.9 |
| Joseph P. Spracale Elementary School Tempe | 0.9 mi | 4.9 |
| Connolly Middle School Tempe | 1.2 mi | 6.6 |
| Tempe Preparatory Academy Tempe | 1.1 mi | 7.0 |
| James Madison Preparatory School Tempe | 1.3 mi | 4.4 |
| Meyer Montessori Tempe | 1.3 mi | 7.7 |
| Washington Elementary School Mesa | 1.2 mi | 4.4 |
| GRACE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Tempe | 1.3 mi | 7.2 |
| Fees College Preparatory Middle School Tempe | 1.4 mi | 5.5 |
| Tempe Elementary Online Community Tempe | 1.4 mi | — |
| VALLEY CHRISTIAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Tempe | 1.6 mi | 6.0 |
| Roosevelt Elementary School Mesa | 1.4 mi | 5.8 |
| Rover Elementary School Tempe | 1.5 mi | 9.2 |
| TEMPE MONTESSORI SCHOOL LTD Mesa | 1.6 mi | 3.3 |
| Pinnacle Charter High School-Tempe East Mesa | 1.7 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 85282 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$79,084
Median Home Value
$370,000
Median Rent
$1,627/mo
Population
54,501
College Educated
44%
Homeownership
45.8%
Avg Commute
21.5 min
Poverty Rate
12.6%
Median Age
32.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding Ward Traditional Academy has a median household income of $79,084. It is a well-educated community where 44% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $370,000, with a median rent of $1,627/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.6%. 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 |
|---|---|
| American Leadership Academy Mesa K-6 Chandler, AZ | 8.0 |
| Augustus H. Shaw Montessori Phoenix, AZ | 8.0 |
| Echo Canyon K-8 Scottsdale, AZ | 8.0 |
| Eva Marshall Elementary School Flagstaff, AZ | 8.0 |
| Gale Elementary School Tucson, AZ | 8.0 |
| Liberty Elementary School Scottsdale, AZ | 8.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Ward Traditional Academy
What grades does Ward Traditional Academy serve?
Ward Traditional Academy serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.
How many students attend Ward Traditional Academy?
Ward Traditional Academy has an enrollment of approximately 371 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Ward Traditional Academy?
The student-teacher ratio at Ward Traditional Academy is 12.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Ward Traditional Academy rank in AZ?
Ward Traditional Academy is ranked #254 out of 2,000 schools in AZ.
What is Ward Traditional Academy's MySchoolScout rating?
Ward Traditional Academy has a composite rating of 8.0 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 Ward Traditional Academy?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Ward Traditional Academy has 58.7% math proficiency and 68.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Ward Traditional Academy a charter school?
No, Ward Traditional Academy is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Ward Traditional Academy a Title I school?
No, Ward Traditional Academy is not currently a Title I school.
Neighborhood Context
- Walk Score
- 40 Car-Dependent
- Transit Score
- 46 Some Transit
- Bike Score
- 62 Bikeable
- City Safety
- High (3,371/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Tempe). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 8th
- Enrollment
- 371
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 30
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Maricopa County
- Phone
- (480) 491-8871
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Tempe School District (4258)- District Enrollment
- 10,293
- Schools in District
- 23
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,504
- District Rank
- #2 of 22
Other Schools in This District
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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