The top reported proficiency rate is 27% in Math. The lowest is 14% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on The Paideia Academy of South Phoenix
The Paideia Academy of South Phoenix is a K-through-6 charter school in the South Phoenix neighborhood of the city, operating as part of The Paideia Academies Inc., a small charter network. It serves students in kindergarten through sixth grade. The school is classified as a regular public school and does not serve grades seven through twelve, so there is no data on high school graduation rates, college preparation pathways, or secondary-level course access.
The student body is diverse. The largest share of students are Hispanic, followed by Black students, and smaller numbers of White, American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, and multiracial students. Rates for students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch, students with disabilities, and English learners were not reported in the data available. Because the school lists a grade span of K through 12 in its directory but only has enrollment in kindergarten through sixth grade, a parent may want to confirm with the school whether upper grades are offered at this particular campus or through a different location in the network.
State test results for the 2024-25 school year provide a snapshot of academic performance in the elementary and early middle school grades. In English language arts, proficiency rates in the tested grades were low. Third grade showed proficiency among roughly a quarter of students, fourth grade was higher, fifth grade dropped, and sixth grade returned to around a third of students meeting the bar. In math, proficiency rates were lower than in English language arts. Third grade showed roughly a third of students proficient, while fourth grade was lower. Fifth-grade math results were suppressed, meaning the data was not reported, and sixth-grade math results were also suppressed. In fifth-grade science, the proficiency rate was low. The school's overall proficiency index, which averages performance across tested subjects and grades, places it in the bottom quartile relative to districts across Maricopa County. These numbers suggest that, by state standards, the school is struggling to move the majority of its students to grade-level proficiency, particularly in math and science. A parent considering the school may want to ask what academic interventions, tutoring, or curriculum supports are in place.
The school is located in Phoenix, a large, fast-growing urban center with a diversified economy centered on technology, manufacturing, tourism, and services. The immediate South Phoenix area is part of the broader city, and the school sits on a main arterial street. Housing values in the zip code are moderately priced compared to the state average, and the local housing market reflects the broader metro area's patterns of growth and demand. The school's charter status means families choose to enroll here rather than being assigned by neighborhood boundaries, which is typical for the Phoenix metro area, where charter schools are a common option.
The data available did not provide information on the school's curriculum model, extracurricular offerings, class sizes, staffing ratios, or discipline rates. The search for parent-relevant changes at the district level did not identify any recent developments such as new leadership, program expansions, or facility updates. Families looking for a fuller picture of the school's day-to-day environment and academic approach would need to visit, speak with staff and current parents, and review the school's own website for programming details that were not captured in the available public data.
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