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Shepherd Junior High School

Q: Is Shepherd Junior High School a good school?

Shepherd Junior High School ranks 244 th of 552 Arizona middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Public Grades 4-8

244^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 552 Arizona Middle Schools

Better than 56% of Arizona middle schools

Summary

Shepherd Junior High School is a public middle school in Mesa, Arizona, serving grades 4-8 with a total enrollment of 667 students. The school is part of the Mesa Unified District, which is ranked 177 out of 289 districts in the state and has a 2-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Shepherd Junior High School consistently outperforms the district and state in standardized test scores, with 34% of 8th-grade students proficient or better in science, compared to 26% for the district and 30% for the state. The school also maintains relatively low dropout rates, ranging from 4.8% to 6.1% over the past few years. However, the school has seen a significant increase in the percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, from 14.56% in 2021-2022 to 34.83% in 2022-2023, indicating a growing population of students from low-socioeconomic backgrounds.

When compared to nearby middle schools in the Mesa Unified District, Shepherd Junior High School generally performs better in terms of test scores and statewide rankings. However, some schools, such as Stapley Junior High School and Franklin Junior High School, significantly outperform Shepherd Junior High School across multiple metrics. The school's per-student spending has also fluctuated over the years, which may impact its ability to provide consistent resources and support for its students.

581

Students ?

20.6

Student/teacher ratio ?

$8,537

Per pupil spending ?

34.8%

Free/discounted lunch ?

1407 N Alta Mesa Dr
Mesa, AZ 85205-4424

(480) 472-1800

District: Mesa Unified District

Students who attend Shepherd Junior High School usually attend:

High:

Red Mountain High School

Feeder schools for Shepherd Junior High School:

Elementary:	Bush Elementary
	K-8 STEM Academy at Red Mountain Ranch
	Mendoza Elementary School
	O'Connor Elementary School

Racial breakdown:

White:

62.1%

Hispanic:

27.9%

Two or more races:

4.5%

See top rated Arizona middle schools

Compare Shepherd Junior High School to nearby middle schools!

At a glance

▲ Ranking trend: Rebounding — 40th percentile in 2022 → 56th in 2025

Strengths

✓Ranking is rebounding — up to 56th (2025) from a 40th-percentile low (2022)

✓Above the Arizona median (56th percentile)

Worth a look

!Some student groups rank well below the school's overall statewide standing

Students meeting standards (2024-2025) ?

This school37%

District avg29%

Arizona avg33%

244^th of 552

Arizona public middle schools ?

Top 44%▼ down 5 pts since 2015

From top 39% (2015) to top 44% (2025)

See the entire ranking list of Arizona Middle Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

3^rd of 10Middle Schools in the Mesa Unified District

177^th of 289Mesa Unified District among Arizona districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2025	45.9	244 of 552	55.8%	★★★☆☆
2024	40.2	275 of 550	50.0%	★★★☆☆
2023	53.4	313 of 854	63.3%	★★★☆☆
2022	32.4	361 of 605	40.3%	★★☆☆☆
2021	56.8	285 of 832	65.7%	★★★☆☆
2019	51.7	253 of 605	58.2%	★★★☆☆
2018	58.7	249 of 711	65.0%	★★★☆☆
2017	57.6	238 of 695	65.8%	★★★☆☆
2016	63.7	198 of 677	70.8%	★★★★☆
2015	53.5	203 of 521	61.0%	★★★☆☆
2014	80.8	126 of 690	81.7%	★★★★☆
2013	79.6	121 of 787	84.6%	★★★★☆
2012	77.5	142 of 772	81.6%	★★★★☆
2011	78.1	134 of 685	80.4%	★★★★☆
2010	81.0	114 of 692	83.5%	★★★★☆
2009	83.6	90 of 663	86.4%	★★★★☆

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2021	58.0	147 of 573	74.3%	★★★★☆
2018	51.0	44 of 125	64.8%	★★★☆☆

Asian

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2023	36.5	169 of 247	31.6%	★★☆☆☆
2021	62.5	144 of 404	64.4%	★★★☆☆

English Language Learner

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2021	42.3	196 of 606	67.7%	★★★☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2025	36.7	223 of 395	43.5%	★★☆☆☆
2024	36.5	225 of 386	41.7%	★★☆☆☆
2023	55.5	274 of 806	66.0%	★★★☆☆
2022	29.1	339 of 494	31.4%	★★☆☆☆
2021	41.4	412 of 820	49.8%	★★☆☆☆
2019	46.8	226 of 466	51.5%	★★★☆☆
2018	53.6	245 of 624	60.7%	★★★☆☆

Foster Care

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2021	31.3	116 of 166	30.1%	★☆☆☆☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2025	27.8	234 of 345	32.2%	★★☆☆☆
2024	31.3	198 of 329	39.8%	★★☆☆☆
2023	43.7	366 of 760	51.8%	★★★☆☆
2021	62.3	203 of 802	74.7%	★★★★☆
2019	36.6	229 of 387	40.8%	★★☆☆☆
2018	44.7	254 of 543	53.2%	★★★☆☆

Homeless

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2021	49.0	73 of 257	71.6%	★★★★☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2025	36.5	187 of 344	45.6%	★★☆☆☆
2024	40.1	152 of 320	52.5%	★★★☆☆
2023	45.3	329 of 717	54.1%	★★★☆☆
2022	25.8	269 of 369	27.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	46.7	226 of 503	55.1%	★★★☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2025	35.3	227 of 379	40.1%	★★☆☆☆
2024	26.7	253 of 370	31.6%	★★☆☆☆
2023	50.5	333 of 810	58.9%	★★★☆☆
2022	25.7	345 of 476	27.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	60.0	255 of 818	68.8%	★★★☆☆
2019	43.1	215 of 435	50.6%	★★★☆☆
2018	55.9	221 of 617	64.2%	★★★☆☆

Multi-racial

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2023	35.9	270 of 384	29.7%	★★☆☆☆
2021	41.5	359 of 650	44.8%	★★☆☆☆

Native American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2021	41.9	184 of 390	52.8%	★★★☆☆

Pacific Islander

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2023	65.9	4 of 19	78.9%	★★★★☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2023	28.2	259 of 363	28.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	36.2	503 of 789	36.2%	★★☆☆☆
2018	76.9	16 of 178	91.0%	★★★★★

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2025	26.7	208 of 277	24.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	20.5	234 of 288	18.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	50.8	301 of 675	55.4%	★★★☆☆
2022	18.4	385 of 446	13.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	51.8	342 of 780	56.2%	★★★☆☆
2019	32.7	234 of 337	30.6%	★★☆☆☆
2018	40.2	261 of 436	40.1%	★★☆☆☆

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

Pacific Islander (2023)79th percentile+16 vs school

African American (2021)74th percentile+9 vs school

Homeless (2021)72nd percentile+6 vs school

English Language Learner (2021)68th percentile~ school

Native American (2021)53rd percentile-13 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2025)46th percentile-10 vs school

Female (2025)44th percentile-12 vs school

Male (2025)40th percentile-16 vs school

Hispanic (2025)32nd percentile-24 vs school

Asian (2023)32nd percentile-32 vs school

Foster Care (2021)30th percentile-36 vs school

Multi-racial (2023)30th percentile-34 vs school

Special Education (2023)29th percentile-35 vs school

White (2025)25th percentile-31 vs school

By subject vs Arizona (2024-2025) ?

English Language Arts47%+6 vs state

Science34%+4 vs state

Mathematics28%~ state avg

4.0

2 ratings · 2 written reviews

5★1

4★0

3★1

2★0

1★0

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What people are saying

by a parent
Monday, January 2, 2023

I had 3 daughters go through Shepherd and they are doing great in high school and two are now attending ASU. Both got full ride academic scholarships. Close Quote

by a parent
Tuesday, February 19, 2019

Great school but stay away from the Band. Bullies in this class have made my son not want to go to school in the mornings. Close Quote

Schools Near Shepherd Junior High School

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2025)				Ranking (2024)				AASA English Language Arts (2025)		AASA Mathematics (2025)		AzSCI Science (2025)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2022)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	SchoolDigger Rating (2025)	Average Standard Score (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	Rank Change from Previous Year	AASA English Language Arts 7th Grade	AASA English Language Arts 8th Grade	AASA Mathematics 7th Grade	AASA Mathematics 8th Grade	AzSCI Science 8th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures: Total	Personnel Spending from Federal Funds	Non-Personnel Spending from Federal Funds	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Personnel Spending from State and Local Funds	Non-Personnel from State and Local Funds	Sub-total Spending from State and Local Funds
Shepherd Junior High School	Public	4-8	1407 N Alta Mesa Dr	Mesa	85205	Maricopa County	Mesa Unified District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(480) 472-1800	581	28	20.6		361 (62.1%)	16 (2.8%)	162 (27.9%)	4 (0.7%)	9 (1.5%)	3 (0.5%)	26 (4.5%)	45.9	244^th of 552 public middle schools	55.8%		40.2	275^th of 550 public middle schools	50.0%	31	48.0	46.0	29.0	26.0	34.0	$8,537	$420	$61	$900	$7,489	$568	$8,057
Fremont Junior High School	Public	7-8	1001 N Power Rd	Mesa	85205	Maricopa County	Mesa Unified District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(480) 472-8300	822	46	17.9		397 (48.3%)	37 (4.5%)	309 (37.6%)	11 (1.3%)	23 (2.8%)	8 (1.0%)	37 (4.5%)	42	259^th of 552 public middle schools	53.1%		42.6	267^th of 550 public middle schools	51.5%	8	37.0	43.0	30.0	34.0	30.0	$6,870	$437	$21	$895	$6,024	$387	$6,412
Stapley Junior High School	Public	7-9	3250 E Hermosa Vista Dr	Mesa	85213	Maricopa County	Mesa Unified District	No	(n/a)	No	No	(480) 472-2700	899	46	19.4		594 (66.1%)	10 (1.1%)	190 (21.1%)	5 (0.6%)	64 (7.1%)	3 (0.3%)	33 (3.7%)	63.5	161^st of 552 public middle schools	70.8%		62.4	165^th of 550 public middle schools	70.0%	4	50.0	42.0	46.0	50.0	41.0	$6,541	$52	$85	$190	$6,053	$351	$6,404
Franklin Junior High School	Public	7-9	4949 E Southern Ave	Mesa	85206	Maricopa County	Mesa Unified District	No	(n/a)	No	No	(480) 472-8990	288	16	18.4		179 (62.2%)	3 (1.0%)	82 (28.5%)	5 (1.7%)	2 (0.7%)	2 (0.7%)	15 (5.2%)	97.9	14^th of 552 public middle schools	97.5%		97.8	16^th of 550 public middle schools	97.1%	2	91.0	89.0	71.0	70.0	77.0	$6,931	$20	$09	$49	$6,045	$857	$6,902
Taylor Junior High School	Public	7-9	705 S 32nd St	Mesa	85204	Maricopa County	Mesa Unified District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(480) 472-1500	908	46	19.6		229 (25.2%)	39 (4.3%)	565 (62.2%)	10 (1.1%)	20 (2.2%)	10 (1.1%)	35 (3.9%)	19.1	435^th of 552 public middle schools	21.2%		20.7	416^th of 550 public middle schools	24.4%	19	35.0	26.0	17.0	8.0	19.0	$7,417	$458	$84	$1,000	$6,512	$363	$6,875
Poston Junior High School	Public	7-9	2433 E Adobe St	Mesa	85213	Maricopa County	Mesa Unified District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(480) 472-2100	782	40	19.5		301 (38.5%)	35 (4.5%)	384 (49.1%)	2 (0.3%)	21 (2.7%)	10 (1.3%)	29 (3.7%)	26.8	361^st of 552 public middle schools	34.6%		19.9	426^th of 550 public middle schools	22.5%	65	36.0	29.0	25.0	16.0	26.0	$7,415	$371	$57	$798	$6,292	$695	$6,987
Smith Junior High School	Public	7-8	10100 E Adobe Rd	Mesa	85207	Maricopa County	Mesa Unified District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(480) 472-9900	707	42	16.8		270 (38.2%)	29 (4.1%)	367 (51.9%)	5 (0.7%)	5 (0.7%)	2 (0.3%)	29 (4.1%)	19.9	421^st of 552 public middle schools	23.7%		18.1	448^th of 550 public middle schools	18.5%	27	35.0	29.0	15.0	9.0	20.0	$7,326	$580	$22	$1,182	$6,370	$354	$6,725
Highland Junior High School	Public	6-8	6915 E Guadalupe Rd	Mesa	85212	Maricopa County	Gilbert Unified District	No	(n/a)	No	No	(480) 632-4739	961	52	18.4		602 (62.6%)	26 (2.7%)	229 (23.8%)	30 (3.1%)	13 (1.4%)	3 (0.3%)	58 (6.0%)	82.6	69^th of 552 public middle schools	87.5%		72.7	124^th of 550 public middle schools	77.5%	55	67.0	61.0	54.0	54.0	50.0	$5,857	$33	$532	$599	$5,509		$5,291
Imagine East Mesa Middle	Public, Charter	7-8	9701 E Southern Ave	Mesa	85209	Maricopa County	Imagine Middle at East Mesa Inc.	Yes	(n/a)	No	Yes	(480) 355-6830	140	11	12.7		57 (40.7%)	11 (7.9%)	65 (46.4%)	1 (0.7%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.7%)	5 (3.6%)	58.4	188^th of 552 public middle schools	65.9%		54.2	212^th of 550 public middle schools	61.5%	24	47.0	59.0	32.0	52.0	28.0		$00			$00
Kino Junior High School	Public	7-8	848 N Horne	Mesa	85203	Maricopa County	Mesa Unified District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(480) 472-2400	805	40	20.3		63 (7.8%)	45 (5.6%)	638 (79.3%)	4 (0.5%)	37 (4.6%)	4 (0.5%)	14 (1.7%)	7.8	546^th of 552 public middle schools	1.1%		8	541^st of 550 public middle schools	1.6%	5	19.0	17.0	6.0	5.0	8.0	$6,995	$500	$39	$1,040	$6,041	$415	$6,456

Frequently Asked Questions about Shepherd Junior High School

What district is Shepherd Junior High School in?

Mesa Unified District

What is the racial makeup of Shepherd Junior High School?

Students at Shepherd Junior High School are 62% White, 28% Hispanic, 4% Two or more races, 3% African American, 2% American Indian.

Is Shepherd Junior High School a good school?

Shepherd Junior High School ranks 244^th of 552 Arizona middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

What high school do graduates of Shepherd Junior High School attend?

Students who attend Shepherd Junior High School usually go on to attend Red Mountain High School

How many students attend Shepherd Junior High School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 581 students attended Shepherd Junior High School.

Rate Shepherd Junior High School!

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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Arizona Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.