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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

Ron Watson Middle School

Q: Is Ron Watson Middle School a good school?

Ron Watson Middle School ranks 390 th of 536 Arizona middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 1 star out of 5.

Public Grades 6-8

390^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 536 Arizona Middle Schools

Better than 27% of Arizona middle schools

Summary

Ron Watson Middle School serves 548 students in grades 6–8 in Yuma, Arizona, and its latest results show stronger English Language Arts (ELA) performance than math performance. The school leads nearby schools in overall ELA proficiency, but its math results trail both the district and state. The most important concern is grade 7 math: just 10% of students were proficient, compared with 27% statewide.

ELA is the school’s clearest strength locally: 35% of students were proficient, the highest result among eight nearby schools and 8 points above their average of 27%. That was 3 points above the Yuma Elementary District and 6 points below the state. Math proficiency was 14%, close to the nearby-school average of 14%, but 6 points below the district and 19 below the state. Grade 7 math is a particular weakness compared with the state; the school’s 10% result was 17 points lower. In grade 8 science, 20% were proficient in 2024–25, matching the district and coming in 10 points below the state.

SchoolDigger places the school at the 27th statewide percentile and gives it 1 star in 2025–26. That is up 5 percentile points from the previous year, but down 34 points from 2015–16. The school is relatively small—nearby schools average about 624 students—and its student–teacher ratio of 20.9 is below the nearby average of 22.1. Its reported free- or reduced-price lunch rate was 57% in 2022–23. SchoolDigger’s measure of how well the school serves White students was at the 12th percentile, 15 points below its overall percentile in 2025–26. For special education students, the measure fell from the 78th percentile in 2020–21 to the 12th in 2022–23, while the overall percentile changed only from 44 to 42. Grade 8 science has partly recovered from a low of 15% in 2023–24, reaching 20% in 2024–25, but remained 2 points below its 2022–23 result. ELA and math results are available for only one year, so their longer-term direction cannot be assessed.

548

Students ?

20.9

Student/teacher ratio ?

$7,118

Per pupil spending ?

40.7%

Directly certified for free meals (2024-25) ?

9851 E 28th St
Yuma, AZ 85365-7132

(928) 502-7400

District: Yuma Elementary District

Students who attend Ron Watson Middle School usually attend:

High:

Gila Ridge High School

Feeder schools for Ron Watson Middle School:

Elementary:

Sunrise Elementary School

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:

64.4%

White:

31.4%

Two or more races:

1.6%

See top rated Arizona middle schools

Compare Ron Watson Middle School to nearby middle schools!

At a glance

▼ Ranking trend: Declining — 61st percentile in 2016 → 27th in 2026

Strengths

✓Among the top-ranked schools in Yuma Elementary District

Worth a look

!Test scores below the Arizona average (24% vs 37% meeting standards)

!Ranking has slipped — down 34 percentile points since 2016

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

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school24%

District avg26%

Arizona avg37%

390^th of 536

Arizona public middle schools ?

Bottom 27%▼ down 34 pts since 2016

From top 39% (2016) to bottom 27% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Arizona Middle Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

1^st of 5Middle Schools in the Yuma Elementary District

209^th of 267Yuma Elementary 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	22.4	390 of 536	27.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	19.2	433 of 552	21.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	22.4	397 of 550	27.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	34.7	499 of 854	41.6%	★★☆☆☆
2022	23.8	434 of 605	28.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	36.2	470 of 832	43.5%	★★☆☆☆
2019	42.6	301 of 605	50.2%	★★★☆☆
2018	51.3	298 of 711	58.1%	★★★☆☆
2017	61.8	214 of 695	69.2%	★★★☆☆
2016	53.4	262 of 677	61.3%	★★★☆☆
2015	38.1	282 of 521	45.9%	★★☆☆☆
2014	52.8	310 of 690	55.1%	★★★☆☆
2013	62.5	271 of 787	65.6%	★★★☆☆
2012	42.9	465 of 772	39.8%	★★☆☆☆
2011	45.8	372 of 685	45.7%	★★☆☆☆
2010	45.3	378 of 692	45.4%	★★☆☆☆
2009	39.1	412 of 663	37.9%	★★☆☆☆

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2021	43.1	262 of 573	54.3%	★★★☆☆

English Language Learner

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2021	41.7	298 of 606	50.8%	☆☆☆☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2026	14.8	319 of 370	13.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	16.3	325 of 395	17.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	18.2	308 of 386	20.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	31.9	509 of 806	36.8%	★★☆☆☆
2022	15.6	436 of 494	11.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	37.7	446 of 820	45.6%	★★☆☆☆
2019	44.2	237 of 466	49.1%	★★☆☆☆
2018	53.5	246 of 624	60.6%	★★★☆☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2026	21.8	255 of 338	24.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	21.4	268 of 345	22.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	20.2	261 of 329	20.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	31.2	502 of 760	33.9%	★★☆☆☆
2022	20.7	325 of 392	17.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	39.4	431 of 802	46.3%	★★☆☆☆
2019	44.5	188 of 387	51.4%	★★★☆☆
2018	43.2	271 of 543	50.1%	★★★☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2026	24.9	238 of 328	27.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	23.9	252 of 344	26.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	19.8	263 of 320	17.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	30.9	487 of 717	32.1%	★★☆☆☆
2022	23.7	284 of 369	23.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	45.0	240 of 503	52.3%	★★★☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2026	18.9	297 of 370	19.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	12.6	335 of 379	11.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	16.2	306 of 370	17.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	35.8	456 of 810	43.7%	★★☆☆☆
2022	22.7	363 of 476	23.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	35.0	475 of 818	41.9%	★★☆☆☆
2019	25.4	309 of 435	29.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	45.6	275 of 617	55.4%	★★★☆☆

Migrant

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2023	33.3	12 of 19	36.8%	★★☆☆☆
2021	49.0	10 of 29	65.5%	★★★☆☆

Military Connected

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2023	40.7	76 of 110	30.9%	★★☆☆☆
2021	47.5	76 of 143	46.9%	★★☆☆☆

Multi-racial

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2023	38.8	252 of 384	34.4%	★★☆☆☆
2021	42.9	343 of 650	47.2%	★★☆☆☆

Native American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2021	27.9	361 of 390	7.4%	☆☆☆☆☆

Pacific Islander

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2021	23.8	77 of 108	28.7%	★☆☆☆☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2023	19.1	321 of 363	11.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	55.9	171 of 789	78.3%	★★★★☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2026	15.4	237 of 270	12.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	7.9	266 of 277	4.0%	☆☆☆☆☆
2024	9.9	266 of 288	7.6%	☆☆☆☆☆
2023	30.6	472 of 675	30.1%	★★☆☆☆
2022	14.4	406 of 446	9.0%	☆☆☆☆☆
2021	36.4	517 of 780	33.7%	★★☆☆☆
2019	23.1	264 of 337	21.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	46.0	227 of 436	47.9%	★★☆☆☆

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)

African American (2021)54th percentile+11 vs school

English Language Learner (2021)51st percentile+7 vs school

Migrant (2023)37th percentile-5 vs school

Multi-racial (2023)34th percentile-7 vs school

Military Connected (2023)31st percentile-11 vs school

Pacific Islander (2021)29th percentile-15 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)27th percentile~ school

Hispanic (2026)25th percentile-3 vs school

Male (2026)20th percentile-8 vs school

Female (2026)14th percentile-13 vs school

White (2026)12th percentile-15 vs school

Special Education (2023)12th percentile-30 vs school

Native American (2021)7th percentile-36 vs school

By subject vs Arizona (2025-2026) ?

English Language Arts35%-6 vs state

Mathematics14%-19 vs state

★

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Schools Near Ron Watson Middle 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 Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2026)				Ranking (2025)				AASA English Language Arts (2026)				AASA Mathematics (2026)				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	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 6th Grade	AASA English Language Arts 7th Grade	AASA English Language Arts 8th Grade	AASA English Language Arts All Grades	AASA Mathematics 6th Grade	AASA Mathematics 7th Grade	AASA Mathematics 8th Grade	AASA Mathematics All Grades	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
Ron Watson Middle School	Public	6-8	9851 E 28th St	Yuma	85365	Yuma County	Yuma Elementary District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(928) 502-7400	548	26	20.9	40.7%	172 (31.4%)	7 (1.3%)	353 (64.4%)	4 (0.7%)	3 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	9 (1.6%)	22.4	390^th of 536 public middle schools	27.2%		19.2	433^rd of 552 public middle schools	21.6%	43	36.0	35.0	35.0	35.0	16.0	10.0	16.0	14.0	$7,118	$998	$1,325	$3,320	$4,669	$127	$4,795
Castle Dome Middle School	Public	6-8	2353 S Otondo Dr	Yuma	85365	Yuma County	Yuma Elementary District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(928) 502-7300	939	37	25.2	41.7%	198 (21.1%)	10 (1.1%)	716 (76.3%)	6 (0.6%)	2 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	7 (0.7%)	15.4	461^st of 536 public middle schools	14.0%		18.1	447^th of 552 public middle schools	19.0%	14	29.0	32.0	27.0	30.0	12.0	8.0	10.0	10.0	$5,882	$1,209	$1,221	$3,638	$3,496		$3,452
Gila Vista Junior High School	Public	6-8	2245 S Arizona Ave	Yuma	85364	Yuma County	Yuma Elementary District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(928) 502-7100	551	22	24.8	55.2%	86 (15.6%)	7 (1.3%)	440 (79.9%)	1 (0.2%)	7 (1.3%)	1 (0.2%)	9 (1.6%)	16.1	448^th of 536 public middle schools	16.4%		13.9	492^nd of 552 public middle schools	10.9%	44	28.0	31.0	27.0	28.0	13.0	11.0	14.0	13.0	$7,251	$1,020	$1,379	$3,419	$4,503	$349	$4,852
R Pete Woodard Junior High School	Public	6-8	2250 S 8th Ave	Yuma	85364	Yuma County	Yuma Elementary District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(928) 502-7200	614	29	21.0	56.7%	76 (12.4%)	13 (2.1%)	495 (80.6%)	6 (1.0%)	9 (1.5%)	2 (0.3%)	13 (2.1%)	15.4	462^nd of 536 public middle schools	13.8%		20.1	416^th of 552 public middle schools	24.6%	46	27.0	27.0	25.0	27.0	19.0	12.0	13.0	14.0	$6,431	$1,213	$1,244	$3,669	$3,968	$06	$3,974
Fourth Avenue Junior High School	Public	6-8	450 S 4th Ave	Yuma	85364	Yuma County	Yuma Elementary District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(928) 502-7000	364	21	17.1	76.9%	10 (2.7%)	8 (2.2%)	341 (93.7%)	0 (0.0%)	5 (1.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	10.8	502^nd of 536 public middle schools	6.3%		9.4	533^rd of 552 public middle schools	3.4%	31	21.0	18.0	22.0	20.0				7.0	$9,764	$1,706	$1,308	$4,721	$6,208	$542	$6,750
Centennial Middle School	Public	6-8	2650 W 20th St	Yuma	85364	Yuma County	Crane Elementary District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(928) 373-3300	646	29	22.2	48.0%	61 (9.4%)	7 (1.1%)	560 (86.7%)	5 (0.8%)	2 (0.3%)	2 (0.3%)	9 (1.4%)	28.6	342^nd of 536 public middle schools	36.2%		28.3	351^st of 552 public middle schools	36.4%	9		33.0	35.0	34.0		16.0	29.0	23.0	$8,510	$768	$276	$1,812	$5,851	$1,615	$7,466
Crane Middle School	Public	6-8	4450 W 32nd St	Yuma	85364	Yuma County	Crane Elementary District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(928) 373-3200	554	25	22.1	47.5%	45 (8.1%)	3 (0.5%)	489 (88.3%)	9 (1.6%)	1 (0.2%)	2 (0.4%)	5 (0.9%)	16.3	446^th of 536 public middle schools	16.8%		19.4	425^th of 552 public middle schools	23.0%	21		26.0	22.0	24.0		13.0	21.0	16.0	$8,658	$880	$331	$2,090	$5,798	$1,649	$7,447
Somerton Middle School	Public	6-8	1011 North Somerton Ave.	Somerton	85350	Yuma County	Somerton Elementary District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(928) 341-6100	697	31	22.4	63.1%	6 (0.9%)	3 (0.4%)	665 (95.4%)	1 (0.1%)	18 (2.6%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (0.6%)	17.8	435^th of 536 public middle schools	18.8%		17.8	452^nd of 552 public middle schools	18.1%	17		31.0	27.0	29.0		15.0	12.0	14.0	$7,412	$390	$51	$831	$5,885	$1,085	$6,971

Frequently Asked Questions about Ron Watson Middle School

Is Ron Watson Middle School a good school?

Ron Watson Middle School ranks 390^th of 536 Arizona middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 1 star out of 5.

How many students attend Ron Watson Middle School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 548 students attended Ron Watson Middle School.

What high school do graduates of Ron Watson Middle School attend?

Students who attend Ron Watson Middle School usually go on to attend Gila Ridge High School

What is the racial makeup of Ron Watson Middle School?

Students at Ron Watson Middle School are 64% Hispanic, 31% White, 2% Two or more races, 1% African American.

What district is Ron Watson Middle School in?

Yuma Elementary District

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Latest Arizona data All new data »

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

2025–26 AASA test scoresNewOct 13, 2026

2024–25 dropout ratesDec 2, 2025

2024–25 graduation ratesNov 7, 2025

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.