Explorer Middle School

Public 7-8

 22401 N 40th St
       Phoenix, AZ  85050-8732


(602) 449-4200

District: Paradise Valley Unified District

SchoolDigger Rank:
75th of 854 Arizona Middle Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $6,002 Help


Students who attend Explorer Middle School usually attend:

High:    Pinnacle High School

Feeder schools for Explorer Middle School:

Elementary:    Desert Trails Elementary School
    Fireside Elementary School
    Grayhawk Elementary School
    Pinnacle Peak Preparatory
    More...

Student/teacher ratio:  19.4 Help
Number of students:  678

Racial breakdown:

White:
78.9%
Hispanic:
9.6%
Two or more races:
5.3%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  5.8% Help


 See top rated Arizona middle schools

 Compare Explorer Middle School to nearby middle schools!

Performance Trends
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Compare Details Explorer Middle School ranks better than 91.2% of middle schools in Arizona. It also ranks first among 7 ranked middle schools in the Paradise Valley Unified District! (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2023 the calculated Average Standard Score was 87.53. (See more...)
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The high school dropout rate measures the percentage of students who do not complete their high school education.
Student Body
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Compare Details Racial makeup is: White (78.9%), Hispanic (9.6%), two or more races (5.3%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 5.8% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. This is the lowest percentage in the Paradise Valley Unified District. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Explorer Middle School is 19.4. 6 middle schools in the Paradise Valley Unified District have better student/teacher ratios. (See more...)
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Compare Explorer Middle School employs 34.8 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Explorer Middle School is $6,002, which is the lowest among 9 middle schools in the Paradise Valley Unified District!
Schooldigger 2023 Rankings:

Explorer Middle School:

SchoolDigger ranks Explorer Middle School 75th of 854 Arizona public middle schools. (See Explorer Middle School in the ranking list.)

Middle School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Multi-racial students:
Special Education students:
Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Male students:
Asian students:
African American students:
Hispanic students:
White students:


Paradise Valley Unified District:

SchoolDigger ranks Paradise Valley Unified District 164th of 540 Arizona school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Your rating for Explorer Middle School?

Rank History for Explorer Middle School

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Compare

Rank History for all students at Explorer Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools AZ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2009 88.19 47th 663 92.9%
2010 90.98 33rd 692 95.2%
2011 90.41 34th 685 95.0%
2012 87.02 49th 772 93.7%
2013 88.81 42nd 787 94.7%
2014 92.63 25th 690 96.4%
2015 93.11 27th 521 94.8%
2016 95.44 24th 677 96.5%
2017 93.45 31st 695 95.5%
2018 91.08 48th 711 93.2%
2019 87.58 59th 605 90.2%
2021 87.89 72nd 832 91.3%
2022 78.90 92nd 605 84.8%
2023 87.53 75th 854 91.2%
See the entire list of Arizona Middle School Rankings!

Rank History for Multi-racial students at Explorer Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools AZ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 91.34 2nd 43 95.3%
2019 63.20 4th 14 71.4%
2021 81.86 51st 650 92.2%
2022 55.18 84th 211 60.2%
2023 74.89 48th 384 87.5%
See the entire list of Best Arizona Middle Schools for Multi-racial Students!

Rank History for English Language Learner students at Explorer Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools AZ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2021 42.31 196th 606 67.7%
See the entire list of Best Arizona Middle Schools for English Language Learner Students!

Rank History for Special Education students at Explorer Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools AZ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 61.23 37th 178 79.2%
2021 74.44 49th 789 93.8%
2023 34.66 208th 363 42.7%
See the entire list of Best Arizona Middle Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Explorer Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools AZ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 81.97 59th 503 88.3%
2023 64.54 168th 717 76.6%
See the entire list of Best Arizona Middle Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at Explorer Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools AZ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 91.30 36th 624 94.2%
2019 80.34 67th 466 85.6%
2021 84.68 85th 820 89.6%
2022 77.82 67th 494 86.4%
2023 88.41 58th 806 92.8%
See the entire list of Best Arizona Middle Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Male students at Explorer Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools AZ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 91.71 39th 617 93.7%
2019 87.43 35th 435 92.0%
2021 88.93 58th 818 92.9%
2022 74.86 74th 476 84.5%
2023 84.81 81st 810 90.0%
See the entire list of Best Arizona Middle Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for Asian students at Explorer Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools AZ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 45.22 29th 42 31.0%
2019 26.74 27th 31 12.9%
2021 75.46 60th 404 85.1%
2022 59.84 70th 192 63.5%
2023 70.70 58th 247 76.5%
See the entire list of Best Arizona Middle Schools for Asian Students!

Rank History for African American students at Explorer Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools AZ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2021 43.12 260th 573 54.6%
2022 56.60 65th 129 49.6%
2023 46.50 192nd 400 52.0%
See the entire list of Best Arizona Middle Schools for African American Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at Explorer Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools AZ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 86.45 43rd 543 92.1%
2019 80.12 62nd 387 84.0%
2021 70.59 146th 802 81.8%
2022 75.94 64th 392 83.7%
2023 79.91 93rd 760 87.8%
See the entire list of Best Arizona Middle Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for Native American students at Explorer Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools AZ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2021 46.02 150th 390 61.5%
See the entire list of Best Arizona Middle Schools for Native American Students!

Rank History for White students at Explorer Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools AZ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 82.59 47th 436 89.2%
2019 72.89 71st 337 78.9%
2021 77.77 105th 780 86.5%
2022 60.47 153rd 446 65.7%
2023 75.52 106th 675 84.3%
See the entire list of Best Arizona Middle Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: Arizona Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

Explorer Middle School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 




Data source: Arizona Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 3)
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50%

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by a parent
Monday, December 5, 2011

Open Quote The teachers are great. The students are not what you would expect for the area. They are nasty, mean and low class. The administration? Pretty lackluster as far as protecting the better acting students. The academics, again, standard PVUSD; they teach towards high AIMS scores...so average in that area. Close Quote


by a student
Saturday, March 20, 2010

Open Quote Judging by my time at Explorer Middle School, I am comfortable saying that it is a ''pretty good'' school. Yes, it possessed flaws, but really, what school doesn't? (For example: I am a student who struggles in math, and when I attended Explorer, there were so many students in my math class that my teacher found it difficult to assist me. Eventually, I did end up moving schools). Overall, it's not a bad school at all, perhaps just a bit ''crowded,'' as public schools tend to be. I have no grudges against it. Close Quote



Enrollment information for Explorer Middle School

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1998 633 16 20 34 3 n/a n/a 0 706
1999 865 22 25 47 4 n/a n/a 0 963
2000 928 20 13 56 6 n/a n/a 0 1023
2001 938 21 25 69 7 n/a n/a 0 1060
2002 554 10 17 36 2 n/a n/a 0 619
2003 554 10 17 36 2 n/a n/a 0 619
2004 516 14 17 45 3 n/a n/a 0 595
2005 494 11 20 48 4 n/a n/a 0 577
2006 480 21 25 40 5 n/a n/a 0 571
2007 492 21 30 51 8 n/a n/a 0 602
2008 545 14 35 59 3 n/a n/a 0 656
2009 598 14 30 62 1 n/a n/a 0 705
2010 703 23 37 80 0 n/a n/a 0 843
2011 726 24 36 109 4 0 30 0 929
2012 730 22 34 99 3 0 29 0 917
2013 673 14 25 69 2 1 24 0 808
2014 652 10 18 73 4 2 37 0 796
2015 687 15 24 109 2 0 46 0 883
2016 743 23 25 99 4 0 38 0 932
2017 726 22 27 72 3 0 36 0 886
2018 665 24 38 80 6 1 34 0 848
2019 703 15 32 95 3 1 46 0 895
2020 740 8 28 100 2 0 55 0 933
2021 605 10 37 92 3 2 44 0 793
2022 537 17 28 89 2 4 36 0 713
2023 535 14 25 65 1 2 36 0 678

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Explorer Middle School

Help
Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1998 706 30.1 23.5 n/a
1999 963 47.1 20.4 n/a
2000 1023 46.5 22.0 n/a
2001 1060 46.2 22.9 n/a
2002 619 33.2 18.6 10.2
2003 619 33.2 18.6 10.2
2004 595 30.4 19.6 12.3
2005 577 29.8 19.4 13.5
2006 571 29.0 19.7 14.4
2007 602 31.4 19.2 12
2008 656 30.0 21.9 9.9
2009 705 35.2 20.0 11.5
2010 843 35.5 23.7 8.4
2011 929 38.5 24.1 9.8
2012 917 35.1 26.0 8.2
2013 808 32.8 24.6 12.3
2014 796 30.8 25.8 2.6
2015 883 36.0 24.5 6.2
2016 932 37.0 25.1 5.4
2017 886 37.2 23.7 5.1
2018 848 36.9 22.9 4.8
2019 895 38.1 23.4 4.8
2020 933 38.0 24.5 4.9
2021 793 37.3 21.2 n/a
2022 713 36.1 19.7 2.7
2023 678 34.8 19.4 5.8

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Explorer Middle School

Help
Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1998 706 30.1 23.5 n/a
1999 963 47.1 20.4 n/a
2000 1023 46.5 22.0 n/a
2001 1060 46.2 22.9 n/a
2002 619 33.2 18.6 10.2
2003 619 33.2 18.6 10.2
2004 595 30.4 19.6 12.3
2005 577 29.8 19.4 13.5
2006 571 29.0 19.7 14.4
2007 602 31.4 19.2 12
2008 656 30.0 21.9 9.9
2009 705 35.2 20.0 11.5
2010 843 35.5 23.7 8.4
2011 929 38.5 24.1 9.8
2012 917 35.1 26.0 8.2
2013 808 32.8 24.6 12.3
2014 796 30.8 25.8 2.6
2015 883 36.0 24.5 6.2
2016 932 37.0 25.1 5.4
2017 886 37.2 23.7 5.1
2018 848 36.9 22.9 4.8
2019 895 38.1 23.4 4.8
2020 933 38.0 24.5 4.9
2021 793 37.3 21.2 n/a
2022 713 36.1 19.7 2.7
2023 678 34.8 19.4 5.8

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Explorer Middle School

Help

YearPersonnel Expenditures from Federal FundsNon-Personnel Expenditures from Federal FundsTotal Expenditures from Federal FundsPersonnel Expenditures from State and Local FundsNon-Personnel Expenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $85 (1.2%) $51 (0.7%) $220 (3.1%) $5,240 (73.9%) $1,714 (24.2%) $6,954 (98.1%) $7,090
2020 $00 (0.0%) n/a n/a $4,276 (91.2%) $416 (8.9%) $4,691 (100.0%) $4,691
2021 $883 (14.7%) $12 (0.2%) $1,778 (29.6%) $3,976 (66.2%) $1,131 (18.8%) $5,107 (85.1%) $6,002
2022 $187 (3.1%) $138 (2.3%) $512 (8.5%) $5,487 (91.4%) $190 (3.2%) $5,677 (94.6%) $6,002

Data source: Arizona Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Explorer Middle School

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Ranks 59th of 605 Middle schoolsRanks 75th of 854 Middle schools
 1%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students895678
 24.2%
African American1514
 6.7%
American Indian31
 66.7%
Asian3225
 21.9%
Hispanic9565
 31.6%
Pacific Islander12
 100%
White703535
 23.9%
Two or More Races4636
 21.7%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients4.8%5.8%
 0.9%


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Frequently Asked Questions about Explorer Middle School

Yes. Explorer Middle School ranks in the top 8.8% of Arizona middle schools.

In the 2022-23 school year, 678 students attended Explorer Middle School.

Students at Explorer Middle School are 79% White, 10% Hispanic, 5% Two or more races, 4% Asian, 2% African American.

Students who attend Explorer Middle School usually go on to attend Pinnacle 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. Attendance Areas provided by ATTOM.

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.





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