Average
#680 of 2,000 schools in AZ
Top 34% in state
Willie & Coy Payne Jr. High
Middle School · Chandler Unified District #80 (4242)
7655 S HIGLEY RD, Queen Creek, AZ 85142
Enrollment
1,127
Student-Teacher
19.4:1
Score
6.9
Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
1,127
Student-Teacher
19.4:1
Score
6.9
Grades
7th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Queen Creek
#9 of 22
public schools
Arizona middle schools
#63 of 218
In district
#32 of 44
Chandler Unified District #80 (4242)
Academic performance
7.6 / 10
Very strong
About Willie & Coy Payne Jr. High
Willie & Coy Payne Jr. High serves 1,127 seventh and eighth grade students in Queen Creek, Arizona, with a student-teacher ratio of 19.4 to 1 across its 58 full-time equivalent teaching staff. This regular public middle school earns a solid 6.7 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranks in the 71st percentile statewide, placing 583rd among Arizona's 2,029 schools.
Academically, the school demonstrates steady performance with 50% of students achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and Reading, while 42% reach proficiency in mathematics. These results reflect the school's commitment to supporting students through the critical middle school years as they build foundational skills for high school success. The school draws from an established community where families enjoy financial stability, with a median household income of $116,587 and median home values around $444,000.
The surrounding area reflects an educated population, with 37% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher, and maintains a low 6% poverty rate among its 82,360 residents. Willie & Coy Payne Jr. High operates within Queen Creek's large city environment in Maricopa County, serving families in a thriving suburban community that values education and provides students with a supportive foundation for their academic journey.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Willie & Coy Payne Jr. High — Students at Willie & Coy Payne Jr. High score 46% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).
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: 6.8/10.
How Willie & Coy Payne Jr. High Compares
See how Willie & Coy Payne Jr. High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 56% (2019) to 42% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 52% (2019) to 50% (2022).
Location
7655 S HIGLEY RD, Queen Creek, AZ 85142
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Willie & Coy Payne Jr. High may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Newell Barney College Preparatory School (rated 7.8/10, 3.0 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Sossaman Middle School (rated 7.2/10, 3.9 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Queen Creek, see our Queen Creek schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 4.3 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 85142 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$125,236
Median Home Value
$521,300
Median Rent
$2,092/mo
Population
87,201
College Educated
37.9%
Homeownership
88.7%
Avg Commute
30.9 min
Poverty Rate
5.3%
Median Age
36.1
Community Profile
The community surrounding Willie & Coy Payne Jr. High has a median household income of $125,236. It is an area where 38% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $521,300, with a median rent of $2,092/month. The local poverty rate of 5.3% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 31 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 |
|---|---|
| Stapley Junior High School Mesa, AZ | 6.9 |
| Mesquite Jr High School Gilbert, AZ | 7.0 |
| Mountain Sky Middle School Phoenix, AZ | 6.8 |
| Smith Junior High School Mesa, AZ | 6.8 |
| Willis Junior High School Chandler, AZ | 6.8 |
| Mount Elden Middle School Flagstaff, AZ | 7.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Willie & Coy Payne Jr. High
What grades does Willie & Coy Payne Jr. High serve?
Willie & Coy Payne Jr. High serves students in grades 7th through 8th.
How many students attend Willie & Coy Payne Jr. High?
Willie & Coy Payne Jr. High has an enrollment of approximately 1,127 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Willie & Coy Payne Jr. High?
The student-teacher ratio at Willie & Coy Payne Jr. High is 19.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Willie & Coy Payne Jr. High rank in AZ?
Willie & Coy Payne Jr. High is ranked #680 out of 2,000 schools in AZ.
What is Willie & Coy Payne Jr. High's MySchoolScout rating?
Willie & Coy Payne Jr. High has a composite rating of 6.9 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 Willie & Coy Payne Jr. High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Willie & Coy Payne Jr. High has 48.3% math proficiency and 51.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Willie & Coy Payne Jr. High a charter school?
No, Willie & Coy Payne Jr. High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Willie & Coy Payne Jr. High a Title I school?
No, Willie & Coy Payne Jr. High is not currently a Title I school.
Neighborhood Context
- Walk Score
- 7 Car-Dependent
- Transit Score
- 0 Minimal Transit
- Bike Score
- 28 Somewhat Bikeable
- City Safety
- Elevated (950/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Queen Creek). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 7th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 1,127
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 19.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 58
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Maricopa County
- Phone
- (480) 224-2400
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Chandler Unified District #80 (4242)- District Enrollment
- 42,832
- Schools in District
- 44
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,085
- District Rank
- #32 of 44
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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