The top reported proficiency rate is 23% in English language arts. The lowest is 13% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Cortez Park Charter Middle School Inc. (79988)
Cortez Park Charter Middle School Inc. is a single-school charter district serving grades six through eight in Maricopa County. As a middle-grades-only entity, it does not produce a graduation rate, and state testing data apply only to the grades it serves. The district operates one school, Imagine Cortez Park Middle.
Enrollment is modest. The student body is predominantly Hispanic, with a substantial Asian population and smaller shares of Black, White, and multiracial students. Information on economic disadvantage, special education, and English learner status was not available in the data reviewed. Families considering the school should note the limited public demographic detail.
Academic performance on statewide assessments is low across all tested subjects and grades. In math, proficiency rates run well below the midpoint among Maricopa County districts, placing the district in the bottom quartile overall. English language arts results show a similar pattern, with only a small fraction of students meeting proficiency standards in each grade. Eighth-grade science results are also low. The overall proficiency index—an average across tested subjects and grade levels—sits in the bottom quartile of the county. A parent evaluating academic outcomes should look into how the school supports students who are not yet meeting benchmarks and what interventions or curriculum changes are in place.
Chronic absenteeism, however, stands in a more favorable light. The rate is better than the midpoint among county districts, meaning a smaller share of students are missing substantial school time. This is a positive indicator for consistency of attendance, an important factor for middle-school engagement.
Per-pupil current spending is in the lower range relative to other districts in Maricopa County. That is not unusual for a small charter with a single site, but families may want to ask what resources are available for enrichment, electives, and student supports given the spending level.
No recent, lasting changes—such as curriculum overhauls, boundary shifts, or facility investments—were publicly identified for this district. The charter operates with limited public reporting on those fronts.
The district’s charter status means it is not bound to traditional school-district boundaries, and families outside a typical attendance zone may enroll through the charter application process. Without a locale brief, the community context—neighborhood character, housing market, or growth patterns—is not available from the data provided. Prospective families would benefit from visiting the school and speaking with current parents about the local environment and daily commute. In sum, Cortez Park Charter Middle School Inc. offers a small, middle-grades-only option with a diverse student body, attendance that compares well to county peers, and academic results that are a clear area for inquiry.
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