The top reported proficiency rate is 35% in English language arts. The lowest is 26% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Foothills Elementary School
Foothills Elementary School is a regular public school in Glendale serving students from preschool through eighth grade as part of the Peoria Unified School District. It is a neighborhood school, not a charter or magnet, and its grade span means a child can attend from the earliest years through the end of middle school without changing buildings, which suits families who value a single, familiar setting through those years.
Glendale is a large suburban city bordering Phoenix, a place with distinct zones. Historic Downtown Glendale offers walkable shopping and dining, while the Westgate Entertainment District near State Farm Stadium provides a modern outdoor mall and event hub. Much of the city consists of residential subdivisions and auto-oriented commercial corridors, with some regional parks like Thunderbird Conservation Park and the Grand Canal Linear Park for recreation. Luke Air Force Base and Midwestern University are significant local institutions. The city’s growth has been steady, and its economy includes a mix of retail, manufacturing, and healthcare employment. Because multiple school districts serve Glendale, the boundaries matter. Foothills sits within the Peoria Unified School District, which has maintained a stable footprint of about four dozen schools across Peoria, Glendale, Youngtown, and a small part of Surprise, with no major closures or openings reported in recent years. That stability may be a reassurance for parents planning long-term.
The student body is diverse, with no single racial or ethnic group holding a majority. White students and Hispanic students each make up a substantial share, with smaller but notable populations of Black students, students who identify as two or more races, Asian students, and Native American students. The school enrolls a moderate number of students spread across all grades from preschool through eighth, with a typical-sized kindergarten through fourth grade and slightly smaller upper grades. The share of students who qualify for free or reduced-price lunch was not available in the data, nor were counts of students with disabilities or English learners, so a parent may want to ask the school directly about the level of economic diversity and the support programs in place.
On state assessments, proficiency rates varied by subject and grade. In math, the share of students meeting the state’s proficiency bar was modest across tested grades, reaching its highest in third grade and declining in later grades. In English language arts, the pattern was similar: third and seventh graders posted the highest proficiency rates, while other grades were lower. One grade level’s science results were suppressed due to small group sizes, and the eighth-grade science proficiency rate reflected a comparable range. Taken together, the school’s overall proficiency index across tested subjects and grades ranked below the midpoint relative to other districts in Maricopa County. The data covers only a single year, so no trend is available. A parent weighing this school against others may want to look into how the school supports students who are not yet meeting benchmarks, particularly in the middle grades where the numbers are softest. Because Foothills does not serve high school, there is no graduation rate to report here.
The housing market in the school’s ZIP code reflects the broader Phoenix area. Home values are roughly on par with the state average, and rents are moderate relative to area incomes, though the home value index has seen a slight year-over-year dip. For a family considering a move to this part of Glendale, the school is set in a well-established residential area near major roads and within a short drive of the city’s shopping and entertainment options.
Foothills Elementary is a solidly middle-performing school within a large, stable district that offers continuity through eighth grade. Its diverse enrollment and suburban Glendale setting fit families who want a traditional public school in a growing metro area. The academic results suggest room for growth, and a parent would benefit from talking to the school about student support and enrichment offerings to see if the school matches their child’s needs.
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