The top reported proficiency rate is 78% in English language arts. The lowest is 60% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Discovery Plus Academy
Discovery Plus Academy is a public charter elementary school in the small, agricultural town of Pima in southeastern Arizona’s Graham County. It serves kindergarten through fifth grade, so it is a K-5 setting only. Because the school does not serve upper grades, there is no graduation rate to report, nor are there any high-school-level course access or postsecondary readiness metrics. The school’s charter status means it operates independently of the local district but receives public funding and must meet state accountability standards.
Pima itself sits in the Gila River Valley, historically a farm trade center that is now also attracting retirees and winter visitors. The town has a rural, low-density feel; most errands require a vehicle. The local economy leans on education, healthcare, and agriculture, with nearby Safford and Thatcher providing regional services and the county college. The community has seen steady population growth over the past two decades, though the town remains small. Housing values in the area are below the state and national medians, reflecting the rural market.
The school enrolls a small student body, with a demographic profile that is predominantly white. A modest share of students are Hispanic, and the remaining students are multiracial; there are no Black, Asian, or Native American students enrolled according to the most recent data. Information on students who qualify for free or reduced-price meals is not available, nor are counts of students receiving special education services or English learner supports. A parent would want to ask the school directly about these student supports and the share of families who may need them.
Academically, Discovery Plus Academy posts proficiency rates that vary by grade and subject. In reading and language arts, the third and fourth grades show strong results, with a large majority of students meeting state standards. Fifth-grade reading proficiency is noticeably lower, a drop that may reflect tougher expectations or a smaller cohort. In math, third-grade proficiency is moderate, and fifth-grade math is stronger, with a majority of students scoring proficient. Fourth-grade math and fifth-grade science results were suppressed in the available data, likely due to small group sizes that make reporting unreliable. Overall, the school’s combined proficiency index across all tested subjects and grades places it in the top tier when compared with other school districts in Graham County. That county contains a mix of small rural districts, so this top quartile position signals that Discovery Plus Academy performs well relative to its local peers.
No chronic absenteeism data or discipline records were reported for this school, so it is not possible to assess attendance patterns or behavioral climate from the available information. The school’s website and program offerings were not detailed in the data, so families should investigate what enrichment, arts, or extracurricular activities are available for elementary students. As a charter school, families choose to enroll, and the school may offer a particular curriculum or instructional approach that differs from the local traditional public schools.
For parents considering this school, the key takeaways are a small, rural charter elementary with a cohesive student body, strong early literacy results, and a top-tier academic standing within Graham County. The drop in fifth-grade reading scores and the absence of data on income and special-services populations are areas worth clarifying with the school. The community of Pima offers a quiet, low-cost living environment with access to outdoor recreation and nearby regional towns. Discovery Plus Academy fits families who want a small-school elementary option with solid test performance in a rural setting, and who are willing to seek out details on supports and programming directly from the school.
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