Original Research by School Decision on Raymond S. Kellis
Raymond S. Kellis is a public middle and high school in the Peoria Unified School District, serving grades seven through twelve. It is a regular school, not a charter or magnet, and is located in the Westgate area of Glendale, a large suburban city that borders Phoenix and is known for its sports and entertainment district, major retail, and manufacturing employers like Honeywell Aerospace. The district serves roughly a substantial number of students across Peoria, Glendale, Youngtown, and a small area of Surprise, with a stable footprint of 44 schools and no major recent closures, offering continuity for families.
The school has a sizable enrollment for its grade band, drawing students from a wide geographic area. The student body is predominantly Hispanic, with a significant share of White students, and smaller populations of Black, Asian, and multiracial students. Information on the share of students who qualify for free or reduced-price meals, receive special education services, or are English learners was not available in the data.
State testing results were largely suppressed for the most recent school year, making it difficult to assess current overall academic performance based on standard metrics. The available multi-year trend data, which shows proficiency rates for all students combined across grades, points to a reading proficiency rate near roughly one-third and a math proficiency rate near roughly one-fifth. A parent or guardian may want to discuss the school's approach to academics and support for student learning with the school directly, as the most recent assessment data does not provide a clear public picture. A graduation rate was also not reported in the data, which may reflect the fact that the school serves a grade span that includes lower secondary years, though it does serve through grade twelve.
The community context in this part of Glendale is one of steady growth, with housing values and rents that place it relative to the broader Arizona market. The Westgate area offers a concentrated walkable zone with shopping, dining, and entertainment, while much of the surrounding city is auto-oriented suburban development. The district has not reported major recent changes such as bond measures or boundary adjustments, suggesting a period of operational stability.
Overall, Raymond S. Kellis is a large, comprehensive public school in a growing suburban part of Glendale. The standard academic picture is incomplete due to suppressed test results, so families will want to ask the school for its current performance data and academic support approach. The setting offers proximity to the amenities of the Westgate district and the broader employment base of the Phoenix metro area, within a district that has not undergone significant recent disruption.
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