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Stepping Stones Academy

Public, Charter Grades K-8

47^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 909 Arizona Elementary Schools

Better than 95% of Arizona elementary schools

Summary

Stepping Stones Academy is a public charter elementary school serving 219 students in grades K-8 in Phoenix, Arizona. The school is part of the Stepping Stones Academy District, which is ranked 28 out of 289 districts in the state and has a 5-star rating from SchoolDigger. Stepping Stones Academy has consistently ranked highly among Arizona elementary schools, with a ranking of 47 out of 909 schools in the 2024-2025 school year and a 5-star rating.

Stepping Stones Academy significantly outperforms the state average on standardized tests across multiple grade levels and subjects. For example, in the 2024-2025 school year, 92% of 3rd graders were proficient or better in English Language Arts, compared to the state average of 36%. In math, 96% of 7th graders were proficient or better, compared to the state average of 27%. The school also performs exceptionally well for several student subgroups, ranking 5th out of 628 Arizona elementary schools for male students in English Language Arts and 14th out of 486 schools for white students in the 2023-2024 school year. Additionally, Stepping Stones Academy has relatively low dropout rates compared to the state, ranging from 3.3% in 2019-2020 to 6.1% in 2022-2023.

Stepping Stones Academy is located in close proximity to several other high-performing schools in the Cave Creek Unified District and Deer Valley Unified District, suggesting the area has a strong educational ecosystem that may contribute to the success of the school. While Stepping Stones Academy is already a top-performing school, there may be opportunities for further improvement, particularly in areas where the school's performance, while still strong, is not as dominant compared to the state average, such as in 7th and 8th grade English Language Arts.

221

Students ?

0.0

Student/teacher ratio ?

Free/discounted lunch ?

35812 N 7th St
Phoenix, AZ 85086-7410

(623) 465-4910

District: Stepping Stones Academy

Racial breakdown:

White:

86.4%

Hispanic:

9.5%

Two or more races:

2.7%

See top rated Arizona elementary schools

Compare Stepping Stones Academy to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▲ Ranking trend: Improving — 86th percentile in 2015 → 95th in 2025

Strengths

✓Test scores above the Arizona average (79% vs 37% meeting standards)

✓Ranks in the top 5% of Arizona elementary schools

✓Ranking is trending up — up 9 percentile points since 2015

Worth a look

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

Students meeting standards (2024-2025) ?

This school79%

District avg79%

Arizona avg37%

Elementary school

47^th of 909

Arizona public elementary schools ?

Top 5%▲ up 9 pts since 2015

From top 14% (2015) to top 5% (2025)

See the entire ranking list of Arizona Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

Middle school

59^th of 552

Arizona public middle schools ?

Top 11%▬ steady since 2015

See the entire ranking list of Arizona Middle Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

28^th of 289Stepping Stones Academy 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)

Elementary school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2025	93.3	47 of 909	94.8%	★★★★★
2024	96.4	18 of 912	98.0%	★★★★★
2023	82.0	216 of 1245	82.7%	★★★★☆
2022	83.7	118 of 1000	88.2%	★★★★☆
2021	73.2	311 of 1226	74.6%	★★★★☆
2019	84.2	145 of 1039	86.0%	★★★★☆
2018	82.5	183 of 1109	83.5%	★★★★☆
2017	83.5	180 of 1106	83.7%	★★★★☆
2016	86.5	136 of 1079	87.4%	★★★★☆
2015	83.8	135 of 955	85.9%	★★★★☆
2014	67.9	356 of 1079	67.0%	★★★☆☆
2013	75.4	263 of 1158	77.3%	★★★★☆
2012	67.6	351 of 1141	69.2%	★★★☆☆
2011	80.7	197 of 1075	81.7%	★★★★☆
2010	62.0	416 of 1090	61.8%	★★★☆☆
2009	67.6	364 of 1062	65.7%	★★★☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2023	77.9	239 of 1219	80.4%	★★★★☆
2022	84.9	64 of 824	92.2%	★★★★★
2021	84.5	169 of 1219	86.1%	★★★★☆
2019	92.8	32 of 862	96.3%	★★★★★
2018	72.4	283 of 1023	72.3%	★★★★☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2023	83.3	134 of 1170	88.5%	★★★★☆
2022	80.5	99 of 716	86.2%	★★★★☆
2021	76.8	177 of 1198	85.2%	★★★★☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2024	97.4	5 of 628	99.2%	★★★★★
2023	78.7	228 of 1216	81.3%	★★★★☆
2022	76.7	151 of 830	81.8%	★★★★☆
2021	52.9	501 of 1220	58.9%	★★★☆☆
2018	82.9	167 of 1032	83.8%	★★★★☆

Multi-racial

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2021	35.3	680 of 1027	33.8%	★★☆☆☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2023	59.7	233 of 820	71.6%	★★★★☆
2022	71.4	49 of 145	66.2%	★★★☆☆
2021	68.0	176 of 1201	85.3%	★★★★☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2025	78.0	65 of 465	86.0%	★★★★☆
2024	91.7	14 of 486	97.1%	★★★★★
2023	72.1	237 of 1024	76.9%	★★★★☆
2022	84.2	54 of 800	93.3%	★★★★★
2021	60.1	413 of 1161	64.4%	★★★☆☆
2019	70.8	137 of 595	77.0%	★★★★☆
2018	64.1	265 of 720	63.2%	★★★☆☆

Middle school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2025	86.3	59 of 552	89.3%	★★★★☆
2024	96.3	26 of 550	95.3%	★★★★★
2023	61.9	260 of 854	69.6%	★★★☆☆
2022	83.3	66 of 605	89.1%	★★★★☆
2021	65.8	215 of 832	74.2%	★★★★☆
2019	75.3	142 of 605	76.5%	★★★★☆
2018	45.4	340 of 711	52.2%	★★★☆☆
2017	67.1	185 of 695	73.4%	★★★★☆
2016	73.2	152 of 677	77.5%	★★★★☆
2015	86.2	54 of 521	89.6%	★★★★☆
2014	67.3	210 of 690	69.6%	★★★☆☆
2013	61.7	285 of 787	63.8%	★★★☆☆
2012	52.9	353 of 772	54.3%	★★★☆☆
2011	66.3	213 of 685	68.9%	★★★☆☆
2010	74.0	163 of 692	76.4%	★★★★☆
2009	69.3	189 of 663	71.5%	★★★★☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2023	63.5	230 of 806	71.5%	★★★★☆
2022	72.0	98 of 494	80.2%	★★★★☆
2021	62.0	243 of 820	70.4%	★★★★☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2021	69.1	151 of 802	81.2%	★★★★☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2023	63.9	234 of 810	71.1%	★★★★☆
2022	75.6	71 of 476	85.1%	★★★★☆
2021	51.2	312 of 818	61.9%	★★★☆☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2021	64.0	91 of 789	88.5%	★★★★☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2025	84.4	28 of 277	89.9%	★★★★★
2024	90.9	25 of 288	91.3%	★★★★★
2023	45.0	347 of 675	48.6%	★★☆☆☆
2022	82.9	35 of 446	92.2%	★★★★★
2021	46.5	386 of 780	50.5%	★★★☆☆
2018	35.1	288 of 436	33.9%	★★☆☆☆

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)

Elementary school

Male (2024)99th percentile~ school

Hispanic (2023)89th percentile+6 vs school

White (2025)86th percentile-9 vs school

Female (2023)80th percentile~ school

Special Education (2023)72nd percentile-11 vs school

Multi-racial (2021)34th percentile-41 vs school

Middle school

White (2025)90th percentile~ school

Special Education (2021)88th percentile+14 vs school

Hispanic (2021)81st percentile+7 vs school

Female (2023)71st percentile~ school

Male (2023)71st percentile~ school

By subject vs Arizona (2024-2025) ?

Mathematics86%+53 vs state

English Language Arts72%+32 vs state

5.0

3 ratings · 3 written reviews

5★3

4★0

3★0

2★0

1★0

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What people are saying

by a parent
Thursday, May 31, 2018

My kids have all graduated from SSA and were very well prepared for high school. They were surrounded by many friends and excellent teachers, which made going to school actually kind of fun. I highly recommend this amazing school! Close Quote

by a parent
Thursday, May 31, 2018

I love Stepping Stones Academy! All of the teachers are so caring and are experts at what they teach. I love the caring/friendly/loving atmosphere as well as what they do academically. The best of both worlds coming from a parent. This school is a dream come true! Close Quote

by a parent
Sunday, May 27, 2018

Thank you Stepping Stones Academy, my children had an awesome year. We are excited for next year. Close Quote

Schools Near Stepping Stones Academy

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 3rd Grade	AASA English Language Arts 4th Grade	AASA English Language Arts 5th Grade	AASA English Language Arts 6th Grade	AASA English Language Arts 7th Grade	AASA English Language Arts 8th Grade	AASA Mathematics 3rd Grade	AASA Mathematics 4th Grade	AASA Mathematics 5th Grade	AASA Mathematics 6th Grade	AASA Mathematics 7th Grade	AASA Mathematics 8th Grade	AzSCI Science 5th 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
Stepping Stones Academy	Public, Charter	K-8	35812 N 7th St	Phoenix	85086	Maricopa County	Stepping Stones Academy	Yes	(n/a)	No	No	(623) 465-4910	221				191 (86.4%)	1 (0.5%)	21 (9.5%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.9%)	0 (0.0%)	6 (2.7%)	93.3	47^th of 909 public elementary schools	94.8%		96.4	18^th of 912 public elementary schools	98.0%	29	92.0	66.0	96.0	59.0	48.0		87.0	81.0		77.0	96.0	88.0				$00			$00
Desert Mountain School	Public	PK, KG-8	35959 N 7th Ave	Desert Hills	85086	Maricopa County	Deer Valley Unified District	No	(n/a)	No	No	(623) 445-3500	438	28	15.9		334 (76.3%)	3 (0.7%)	74 (16.9%)	2 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	24 (5.5%)	78.6	171^st of 909 public elementary schools	81.2%		78.4	180^th of 912 public elementary schools	80.3%	9	59.0	53.0	53.0	55.0	54.0	42.0	66.0	58.0	64.0	55.0	41.0	22.0	62.0	45.0	$7,482	$263	$20	$546	$7,019	$179	$7,198
Diamond Canyon School	Public	PK, KG-8	40004 N Liberty Bell Way	Anthem	85086	Maricopa County	Deer Valley Unified District	No	(n/a)	No	No	(623) 445-8000	740	45	16.6		581 (78.5%)	12 (1.6%)	84 (11.4%)	20 (2.7%)	1 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	42 (5.7%)	90.8	63^rd of 909 public elementary schools	93.1%		90.3	69^th of 912 public elementary schools	92.4%	6	58.0	76.0	77.0	80.0	68.0	71.0	61.0	68.0	71.0	61.0	51.0	66.0	72.0	61.0	$6,000	$249	$13	$511	$5,524	$214	$5,738
Sonoran Foothills School	Public	PK, KG-8	32150 N North Foothills Dr	Phoenix	85085	Maricopa County	Deer Valley Unified District	No	(n/a)	No	No	(623) 445-8400	921	51	18.0		571 (62.0%)	28 (3.0%)	155 (16.8%)	101 (11.0%)	12 (1.3%)	2 (0.2%)	52 (5.6%)	87.8	88^th of 909 public elementary schools	90.3%		92	59^th of 912 public elementary schools	93.5%	29	57.0	66.0	76.0	63.0	83.0	79.0	70.0	74.0	79.0	47.0	70.0	54.0	70.0	66.0	$6,098	$437	$12	$885	$5,355	$295	$5,650
Sunset Ridge School	Public	PK, KG-8	35707 N 33rd Ln	Phoenix	85086	Maricopa County	Deer Valley Unified District	No	(n/a)	No	No	(623) 445-7800	563	34	16.3		387 (68.7%)	20 (3.6%)	100 (17.8%)	5 (0.9%)	8 (1.4%)	3 (0.5%)	40 (7.1%)	65.1	284^th of 909 public elementary schools	68.8%		79.5	169^th of 912 public elementary schools	81.5%	115	48.0	52.0	52.0	63.0	62.0	51.0	53.0	35.0	51.0	58.0	50.0	45.0	44.0	47.0	$7,762	$616	$20	$1,252	$6,855	$271	$7,126
Gavilan Peak School	Public	PK, KG-8	2701 W Memorial Dr	Anthem	85086	Maricopa County	Deer Valley Unified District	No	(n/a)	No	No	(623) 445-7400	473	36	13.1		331 (70.0%)	6 (1.3%)	70 (14.8%)	22 (4.7%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	44 (9.3%)	84	127^th of 909 public elementary schools	86.0%		89.4	76^th of 912 public elementary schools	91.7%	51	55.0	71.0	62.0	71.0	58.0	62.0	77.0	44.0	65.0	58.0	48.0	58.0	68.0	61.0	$7,929	$664	$12	$1,340	$7,077	$176	$7,253
Anthem School	Public	PK, KG-8	41020 N Freedom Way	Anthem	85086	Maricopa County	Deer Valley Unified District	No	(n/a)	No	No	(623) 376-3700	400	27	14.8		301 (75.3%)	6 (1.5%)	62 (15.5%)	9 (2.3%)	2 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	20 (5.0%)	77.9	181^st of 909 public elementary schools	80.1%		71.9	230^th of 912 public elementary schools	74.8%	49	52.0	52.0	68.0	58.0	59.0	64.0	75.0	78.0	66.0	34.0	49.0	62.0	55.0	61.0	$7,781	$680	$27	$1,386	$6,809	$265	$7,074
Desert Willow Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-6	4322 E Desert Willow Parkway	Cave Creek	85331	Maricopa County	Cave Creek Unified District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(480) 575-2800	338	23	14.7		237 (70.1%)	0 (0.0%)	71 (21.0%)	9 (2.7%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	21 (6.2%)	75.2	204^th of 909 public elementary schools	77.6%		83	144^th of 912 public elementary schools	84.2%	60	66.0	61.0	60.0	60.0			39.0	46.0	70.0	58.0			54.0		$2,222	$129	$50	$308	$1,544	$499	$2,043
Norterra Canyon School	Public	PK, KG-8	2200 W Maya Way	Phoenix	85085	Maricopa County	Deer Valley Unified District	No	(n/a)	No	No	(623) 445-8200	601	37	16.4		366 (60.9%)	34 (5.7%)	120 (20.0%)	40 (6.7%)	7 (1.2%)	2 (0.3%)	32 (5.3%)	71.8	237^th of 909 public elementary schools	73.9%		84.6	128^th of 912 public elementary schools	86.0%	109	65.0	63.0	45.0	69.0	60.0	51.0	59.0	58.0	57.0	42.0	34.0	30.0	37.0	41.0	$7,996	$484	$16	$985	$7,218	$277	$7,495
Lone Mountain Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-6	5250 E. Montgomery Rd.	Cave Creek	85331	Maricopa County	Cave Creek Unified District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(480) 437-3000	376	25	14.9		304 (80.9%)	2 (0.5%)	36 (9.6%)	7 (1.9%)	2 (0.5%)	1 (0.3%)	24 (6.4%)	86.3	105^th of 909 public elementary schools	88.4%		84.4	129^th of 912 public elementary schools	85.9%	24	70.0	67.0	54.0	85.0			81.0	62.0	63.0	66.0			48.0		$2,966	$130	$36	$296	$2,132	$668	$2,801

Frequently Asked Questions about Stepping Stones Academy

What district is Stepping Stones Academy in?

Stepping Stones Academy

How many students attend Stepping Stones Academy?

In the 2024-25 school year, 221 students attended Stepping Stones Academy.

Is Stepping Stones Academy a good school?

Yes. Stepping Stones Academy ranks in the top 5.2% of Arizona elementary schools.

What is the racial makeup of Stepping Stones Academy?

Students at Stepping Stones Academy are 86% White, 10% Hispanic, 3% Two or more races.

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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.