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Test scores delayed: 2026 rankings for Arizona do not yet include the AzSCI Science tests, which have not yet been released by the Arizona Department of Education

Taft Elementary School

Q: Is Taft Elementary School a good school?

Taft Elementary School ranks 530 th of 900 Arizona elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Public Grades PK, KG-6

530^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 900 Arizona Elementary Schools

Better than 41% of Arizona elementary schools

Summary

Taft Elementary School serves 491 students in pre-K through grade 6 in Mesa, within the Mesa Unified District. Its results vary substantially by grade: third grade is a bright spot, while grades 4–6 have weaker areas. The clearest concern is fifth-grade science, where proficiency fell from 30% in 2022–23 to 22% in 2024–25—12 points below the state and 11 below the district.

Across all grades in 2025–26, math is Taft’s strongest comparison: 32% proficient, close to the nearby same-district schools’ average of 32%, 1 point above the district, and 1 below the state. ELA is weaker, at 36%—2 points below the nearby-school average, 3 below the district, and 5 below the state. Grade-level results show why those averages can be misleading: third-grade math reached 52%, 14 points above the state, while fifth-grade math was 23%, 15 points below it and the lowest reported result among same-district peers with results. Third-grade ELA was also above state and district results; fourth-grade ELA and math were below both. Sixth-grade ELA was stronger, but sixth-grade math remained low.

Science has declined across the three reported years, while the supplied all-grade ELA and math results cover only 2025–26, so their direction over time is not yet clear. SchoolDigger gives Taft 2 stars and a statewide percentile of 41, placing it above three and below five nearby schools with a reported percentile; its recent scores have stayed around 40–41. Taft’s 2024–25 student-teacher ratio was 14.8, below the nearby-peer average of 16.8 and lower than all but one peer, though results are mixed. SchoolDigger’s group rankings also show a notable gap: male students are at the 17th percentile, compared with 41 overall, after falling from 31 the prior year; students with low socioeconomic status are at the 56th percentile, above Taft overall. Taft reports a 69% free/reduced-lunch rate for 2022–23, but nearby comparison rates were not supplied.

491

Students ?

14.8

Student/teacher ratio ?

$11,270

Per pupil spending ?

57.8%

Directly certified for free meals (2024-25) ?

95.7%

Kindergartners fully immunized against measles (MMR) (2025-26)

Exemptions: 4.3% (any vaccine)

9800 E Quarterline Rd
Mesa, AZ 85207-6228

(480) 472-9100

District: Mesa Unified District

Students who attend Taft Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:	Smith Junior High School
High:	Skyline High School

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:

64.4%

White:

27.7%

Two or more races:

3.7%

See top rated Arizona elementary schools

Compare Taft Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▼ Ranking trend: Declining — 56th percentile in 2016 → 41st in 2026

Worth a look

!Ranking has slipped — down 15 percentile points since 2016

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

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school34%

District avg35%

Arizona avg37%

530^th of 900

Arizona public elementary schools ?

Bottom 41%▼ down 15 pts since 2016

From top 44% (2016) to bottom 41% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Arizona Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

26^th of 50Elementary Schools in the Mesa Unified District

157^th of 267Mesa 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
2026	32.3	530 of 900	41.1%	★★☆☆☆
2025	31.7	546 of 909	39.9%	★★☆☆☆
2024	33.4	540 of 912	40.8%	★★☆☆☆
2023	49.5	560 of 1245	55.0%	★★★☆☆
2022	38.4	560 of 1000	44.0%	★★☆☆☆
2021	49.0	544 of 1226	55.6%	★★★☆☆
2019	49.3	483 of 1039	53.5%	★★★☆☆
2018	60.1	414 of 1109	62.7%	★★★☆☆
2017	62.0	400 of 1106	63.8%	★★★☆☆
2016	51.4	471 of 1079	56.3%	★★★☆☆
2015	47.9	433 of 955	54.7%	★★★☆☆
2014	53.0	518 of 1079	52.0%	★★★☆☆
2013	48.0	625 of 1158	46.0%	★★☆☆☆
2012	62.6	421 of 1141	63.1%	★★★☆☆
2011	55.0	470 of 1075	56.3%	★★★☆☆
2010	49.6	544 of 1090	50.1%	★★★☆☆
2009	48.8	559 of 1062	47.4%	★★☆☆☆

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2021	22.6	805 of 895	10.1%	☆☆☆☆☆

English Language Learner

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2021	39.3	545 of 975	44.1%	★☆☆☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2026	43.4	319 of 579	44.9%	★★☆☆☆
2025	33.9	381 of 589	35.3%	★★☆☆☆
2024	24.9	461 of 602	23.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	48.5	543 of 1219	55.5%	★★★☆☆
2022	41.2	506 of 824	38.6%	★★☆☆☆
2021	54.5	486 of 1219	60.1%	★★★☆☆
2019	50.0	402 of 862	53.4%	★★★☆☆
2018	57.8	408 of 1023	60.1%	★★★☆☆

Foster Care

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2021	30.3	218 of 306	28.8%	★☆☆☆☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2026	37.5	286 of 500	42.8%	★★☆☆☆
2025	41.9	260 of 496	47.6%	★★☆☆☆
2024	43.2	252 of 486	48.1%	★★☆☆☆
2023	44.8	591 of 1170	49.5%	★★☆☆☆
2022	28.8	518 of 716	27.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	47.3	550 of 1198	54.1%	★★★☆☆
2019	51.5	304 of 709	57.1%	★★★☆☆
2018	60.7	302 of 911	66.8%	★★★☆☆

Homeless

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2021	31.9	324 of 423	23.4%	★☆☆☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2026	48.0	233 of 529	56.0%	★★★☆☆
2025	45.1	259 of 549	52.8%	★★★☆☆
2024	46.4	261 of 556	53.1%	★★★☆☆
2023	52.6	456 of 1116	59.1%	★★★☆☆
2022	34.3	426 of 618	31.1%	★★☆☆☆
2018	72.0	169 of 820	79.4%	★★★★☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2026	17.8	490 of 591	17.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	28.2	435 of 626	30.5%	★★☆☆☆
2024	25.3	463 of 628	26.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	50.3	537 of 1216	55.8%	★★★☆☆
2022	31.6	561 of 830	32.4%	★★☆☆☆
2021	44.0	610 of 1220	50.0%	★★★☆☆
2019	34.3	513 of 850	39.6%	★★☆☆☆
2018	61.9	372 of 1032	64.0%	★★★☆☆

Migrant

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2022	72.2	4 of 7	42.9%	★★★☆☆

Multi-racial

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2023	15.6	582 of 617	5.7%	☆☆☆☆☆
2022	12.7	436 of 444	1.8%	☆☆☆☆☆
2021	55.1	384 of 1027	62.6%	★★★☆☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2023	49.3	342 of 820	58.3%	★★★☆☆
2021	44.7	538 of 1201	55.2%	★★★☆☆
2018	64.0	92 of 417	77.9%	★★★★☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2024	20.8	418 of 486	14.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	43.5	574 of 1024	43.9%	★★☆☆☆
2022	38.6	525 of 800	34.4%	★★☆☆☆
2021	48.2	592 of 1161	49.0%	★★☆☆☆
2019	28.4	464 of 595	22.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	47.1	408 of 720	43.3%	★★☆☆☆

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)

Special Education (2023)58th percentile+3 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)56th percentile+15 vs school

Female (2026)45th percentile+4 vs school

English Language Learner (2021)44th percentile-12 vs school

Migrant (2022)43rd percentile~ school

Hispanic (2026)43rd percentile~ school

Foster Care (2021)29th percentile-27 vs school

Homeless (2021)23rd percentile-32 vs school

Male (2026)17th percentile-24 vs school

White (2024)14th percentile-27 vs school

African American (2021)10th percentile-46 vs school

Multi-racial (2023)6th percentile-49 vs school

By subject vs Arizona (2025-2026) ?

English Language Arts36%-5 vs state

Mathematics32%~ state avg

2.5

2 ratings · 1 written review

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3★0

2★0

1★1

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What people are saying

by a parent
Wednesday, July 21, 2010

This school has given my children great opportunities to learn using a variety of programs. I feel that their education is in good hands with the teachers and administrators at this school. Close Quote

Schools Near Taft Elementary School

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Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

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

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2026)				Ranking (2025)				AASA English Language Arts (2026)							AASA Mathematics (2026)							Vaccination (2025-26)		Per Pupil Expenditures (2025)
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	Directly certified (2024-25)	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2026)	Statewide Rank (2026)	State Percentile (2026)	SchoolDigger Rating (2026)	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	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 English Language Arts All Grades	AASA Mathematics 3rd Grade	AASA Mathematics 4th Grade	AASA Mathematics 5th Grade	AASA Mathematics 6th Grade	AASA Mathematics 7th Grade	AASA Mathematics 8th Grade	AASA Mathematics All Grades	Vaccination: Kindergartners fully immunized against measles (MMR)	Vaccination: Exemption rate	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
Taft Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-6	9800 E Quarterline Rd	Mesa	85207	Maricopa County	Mesa Unified District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(480) 472-9100	491	33	14.8	57.8%	136 (27.7%)	15 (3.1%)	316 (64.4%)	2 (0.4%)	3 (0.6%)	1 (0.2%)	18 (3.7%)	32.3	530^th of 900 public elementary schools	41.1%		31.7	546^th of 909 public elementary schools	39.9%	16	43.0	35.0	24.0	45.0			36.0	52.0	26.0	23.0	25.0			32.0	95.7%	4.3%	$11,270	$1,420	$659	$2,079	$9,581		$9,192
Cambridge Academy East	Public, Charter	K-8	9412 E Brown Rd	Mesa	85207	Maricopa County	Cambridge Academy East Inc	Yes	(n/a)	No	No	(480) 641-2828	242	10	24.2	—	157 (64.9%)	8 (3.3%)	69 (28.5%)	1 (0.4%)	1 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	6 (2.5%)								(n/a)		46.0					34.0							15.0	87%	13%	$10,303	$117		$117	$6,435	$3,751	$10,186
Stevenson Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-6	638 S 96th St	Mesa	85208	Maricopa County	Mesa Unified District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(480) 472-9000	725	38	19.0	58.2%	187 (25.8%)	30 (4.1%)	467 (64.4%)	3 (0.4%)	14 (1.9%)	0 (0.0%)	24 (3.3%)	14	807^th of 900 public elementary schools	10.3%		11.9	844^th of 909 public elementary schools	7.2%	37	20.0	30.0	21.0	22.0			23.0	29.0						14.0	93.2%	8.1%	$8,778	$967	$159	$1,127	$7,479	$172	$7,651
Sousa Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-6	616 N Mountain Rd	Mesa	85207	Maricopa County	Mesa Unified District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(480) 472-8899	344	25	13.8	50.9%	165 (48.0%)	15 (4.4%)	144 (41.9%)	2 (0.6%)	4 (1.2%)	1 (0.3%)	13 (3.8%)	38.2	481^st of 900 public elementary schools	46.6%		21.2	689^th of 909 public elementary schools	24.2%	208	40.0	37.0		41.0			36.0	44.0			28.0			28.0	91.3%	15.2%	$12,917	$1,349	$183	$1,533	$11,160	$225	$11,385
Patterson Elementary	Public	PK, KG-6	615 S Cheshire	Mesa	85208	Maricopa County	Mesa Unified District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(480) 472-9700	733	45	16.4	40.9%	328 (44.7%)	26 (3.5%)	302 (41.2%)	14 (1.9%)	23 (3.1%)	3 (0.4%)	37 (5.0%)	53	366^th of 900 public elementary schools	59.3%		45.1	436^th of 909 public elementary schools	52.0%	70	50.0	55.0	39.0	39.0			46.0	63.0	57.0	27.0	29.0			45.0	83.9%	17.2%	$9,073	$887	$19	$906	$7,987	$180	$8,167
Zaharis Elementary	Public	PK, KG-6	9410 E McKellips Rd	Mesa	85207	Maricopa County	Mesa Unified District	No	(n/a)	No	No	(480) 308-7200	721	40	18.1	16.4%	546 (75.7%)	10 (1.4%)	121 (16.8%)	6 (0.8%)	6 (0.8%)	2 (0.3%)	30 (4.2%)	73	215^th of 900 public elementary schools	76.1%		79	165^th of 909 public elementary schools	81.8%	50	50.0	68.0	64.0	60.0			60.0	43.0	40.0	66.0	58.0			52.0	81.4%	18.6%	$7,722	$34	$08	$43	$7,389	$290	$7,679
Imagine East Mesa Elementary	Public, Charter	K-6	9701 E Southern Ave	Mesa	85053	Maricopa County	East Mesa Charter Elementary School Inc.	Yes	(n/a)	No	Yes	(480) 355-6830	611	25	24.4	47.3%	247 (40.4%)	29 (4.7%)	281 (46.0%)	6 (1.0%)	11 (1.8%)	2 (0.3%)	35 (5.7%)	20	704^th of 900 public elementary schools	21.8%		27.9	582^nd of 909 public elementary schools	36.0%	122	23.0	29.0	17.0	43.0			28.0	24.0	22.0	28.0	31.0			26.0
Brinton Elementary	Public	PK, KG-6	11455 E Sunland Ave	Mesa	85208	Maricopa County	Mesa Unified District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(480) 472-4075	495	27	18.1	49.1%	218 (44.0%)	37 (7.5%)	197 (39.8%)	3 (0.6%)	6 (1.2%)	5 (1.0%)	29 (5.9%)	35	510^th of 900 public elementary schools	43.3%		36.1	500^th of 909 public elementary schools	45.0%	10	36.0	29.0	40.0	49.0			39.0	43.0	30.0	27.0	32.0			33.0	91.4%	8.6%	$9,369	$834	$13	$847	$8,342	$181	$8,523
Falcon Hill Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-6	1645 N Sterling	Mesa	85207	Maricopa County	Mesa Unified District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(480) 472-8600	544	34	16.2	41.2%	307 (56.4%)	12 (2.2%)	173 (31.8%)	5 (0.9%)	9 (1.7%)	6 (1.1%)	32 (5.9%)	40.1	468^th of 900 public elementary schools	48.0%		39.7	472^nd of 909 public elementary schools	48.1%	4	43.0	50.0	20.0	53.0			41.0	46.0	45.0	24.0	27.0			35.0	82.1%	17.9%	$10,413	$958	$505	$1,463	$8,740	$210	$8,950
Superstition Mountain Classical Academy	Public	PK, KG-5	550 South Ironwood	Apache Junction	85220	Pinal County	Apache Junction Unified District	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(480) 982-1110	0			—	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()								(n/a)															100%	0%

Frequently Asked Questions about Taft Elementary School

What is the racial makeup of Taft Elementary School?

Students at Taft Elementary School are 64% Hispanic, 28% White, 4% Two or more races, 3% African American.

Is Taft Elementary School a good school?

Taft Elementary School ranks 530^th of 900 Arizona elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

What district is Taft Elementary School in?

Mesa Unified District

How many students attend Taft Elementary School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 491 students attended Taft Elementary School.

What schools do graduates of Taft Elementary School attend?

Students who attend Taft Elementary School usually go on to attend:

Middle : Smith Junior High School
High : Skyline High School

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Latest Arizona data All new data »

2022–23 through 2024–25 school spending dataNewNov 2, 2026

2018–19 through 2021–22 school spending data (updated)NewNov 2, 2026

2015–16 through 2025–26 immunization rates (updated)Oct 19, 2026

2025–26 AASA test scoresOct 13, 2026

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.