Alternative Middle School (Indian Oasis Middle School)

Alternative Middle School (Indian Oasis Middle School) is a small public middle school in Sells, Arizona, serving grades 6-8 with a student population of just 10 students, the majority of whom (80%) identify as Native American. This school stands out from nearby schools like Baboquivari Middle School and Indian Oasis Intermediate Elementary School, which have similarly high percentages of Native American students but much larger enrollments.

One of the most concerning aspects of Alternative Middle School is its high dropout rates, which have ranged from 0% to 21.7% in recent years, significantly higher than the 3.3% dropout rate at Baboquivari Middle School. Additionally, the school's academic performance, as measured by proficiency rates in English Language Arts and Mathematics, is substantially lower than the district and state averages. For example, in the 2022-2023 school year, the school's 7th-grade proficiency rates were just 17% in both subjects, compared to the district's 7% and 4%, respectively, and the state's 42% and 30%.

Despite the school's challenges, it is worth noting that it has a relatively high spending per student, ranging from $19,939 to $71,424 over the past few years, which is significantly higher than the $16,144 spent per student at Baboquivari Middle School. This raises questions about the efficient allocation of resources and the effectiveness of the school's educational programs in supporting its predominantly Native American student population, who face unique educational needs and challenges in this region served by the Baboquivari Unified School District #40.