Sacaton Middle School

Sacaton Middle School is a public middle school in Sacaton, Arizona, serving grades 5-8 with a total enrollment of 191 students. The school is part of the Sacaton Elementary District, which is ranked 540 out of 540 districts in Arizona and has a 0-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Sacaton Middle School stands out for several key reasons. It has a significantly higher percentage of Native American students (87.43%) compared to nearby schools, which have much more diverse student populations. Academically, the school consistently ranks among the lowest-performing middle schools in Arizona, with proficiency rates well below the state averages in subjects like Science, English Language Arts, and Mathematics. For example, in 2022-2023, only 5% of 5th graders and 3% of 8th graders were proficient in Science, compared to the state average of 34% and 27%, respectively. Additionally, Sacaton Middle School has alarmingly high dropout rates, ranging from 9.8% to 23.1% over the past few years, which are significantly higher than the nearby schools like Bogle Junior High, Sossaman Middle School, and Newell Barney Junior High.

Despite the high spending per student at Sacaton Middle School, ranging from $9,631 to $18,587 over the past few years, the school has consistently ranked among the lowest-performing middle schools in Arizona, with no significant improvement in its academic performance or other key metrics. The high percentage of Native American students and the high level of economic disadvantage among the student population, with over 86% receiving free or reduced-price lunch, may be contributing factors to the school's poor academic performance and high dropout rates. Addressing these underlying issues could be crucial for improving the school's outcomes and providing a better educational experience for the students.