The top reported proficiency rate is 36% in Math. The lowest is 23% in English language arts.
Original Research by School Decision on Webster Elementary School
Webster Elementary School is a regular public school in Mesa serving children from preschool through sixth grade. It sits in the older, denser western half of Mesa, part of the Mesa Unified District, one of the largest school districts in Arizona. The school’s grade span means it does not have a graduation rate or high school level outcomes, so a parent looking at that metric will not find it here.
The academic picture comes from state testing, but the available results are incomplete. For the grades where data was reported, the school’s overall proficiency index across tested subjects falls below the midpoint when compared with other schools in Maricopa County. Mathematics proficiency in third grade was reported at a rate that sits well below the county median. Reading results for fourth and sixth grades were similarly below typical county levels. Several grade-level results in both math and English language arts were suppressed, meaning the state did not release them, often because the group tested was too small or anonymized. Science results for fifth grade were also suppressed. The multi-year trend data, which is limited to a single year, shows an overall proficiency level that is low relative to the county. A parent wanting a complete understanding of grade-level performance in this building may need to ask the school or district for more detail than what is publicly reported.
The student body is diverse but predominantly Hispanic, with a substantial share of students identifying as Hispanic. Smaller but notable populations include students who are Black, White, American Indian or Alaska Native, and those of two or more races. Information on economic disadvantage, English learner status, and special education was not available in the data provided, so a parent should check with the school on how many students qualify for free or reduced-price meals and what support services are offered.
Webster is located in West Mesa, an area that is older and more developed than the rapidly growing eastern side of the city. Mesa itself is a large, sprawling suburban city that is auto-oriented. Wide arterial roads lined with strip commercial define most neighborhoods, and daily life depends on driving. Downtown Mesa offers a more walkable core with arts venues and light rail access to Tempe and Phoenix, but Webster sits in a residential area where sidewalks and bus stops are present though destinations are spread apart. The city has experienced sustained growth for decades, though West Mesa is built out and has a more settled feel. Housing values in the school’s zip code are roughly in line with national benchmarks, making it a moderately priced area within the Phoenix metro; rents are a somewhat smaller share of income than the national average.
No program data, staffing ratios, or discipline records were included in the available information. The district brief turned up no recent major changes or initiatives, so there is little to report on that front.
For a family considering Webster, the overriding takeaway is a school whose test scores are below the typical level for its county, set in a heavily auto-dependent older suburb, serving a diverse student body. A parent who places a high priority on strong academic proficiency metrics would want to look into what supports and enrichment are in place and how the school’s results compare with nearby options. The missing data—on free lunch, English learner services, and special education—are gaps worth filling by speaking directly with the school.
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