Best Middle Schools in Zip Code 86314

The 86314 zip code area is home to two middle schools: Glassford Hill Middle School, a traditional public school, and Acorn Montessori Charter School. While both serve grades 6-8, the data suggests Acorn Montessori is the standout performer, consistently outpacing state and district averages on standardized tests across multiple subjects and grade levels.

Acorn Montessori Charter School earns a 3-star rating from SchoolDigger, compared to Glassford Hill's 1-2 star ratings. Acorn Montessori students demonstrate significantly higher proficiency rates, often 10-20 percentage points above state and district levels. In contrast, Glassford Hill students lag behind their peers, with proficiency rates in the low 20% range for most subjects and grade levels. This performance gap is reflected in the schools' per-student spending, with Acorn Montessori allocating $41,611 per student, over four times the $10,242 spent at Glassford Hill.

Both schools share a 5.2% dropout rate, but the data suggests Acorn Montessori is providing a higher-quality educational experience for students in the 86314 zip code. While further analysis would be needed to fully understand the factors driving these differences, the presence of a high-performing charter school option highlights the role that school choice can play in improving educational outcomes in the area.