The top reported proficiency rate is 36% in English language arts. The lowest is 25% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Pima Junior High School
Pima Junior High School serves seventh and eighth graders in the small, rural town of Pima in Graham County. It is a regular public school and part of the Pima Unified District. The school enrolls a modest number of students, with roughly even splits between the two grade levels. The student body is predominantly white, with a substantial Hispanic share and a very small number of students from other racial backgrounds. Data 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 source material, so a parent would want to ask the school directly for that picture.
State testing results from the most recent school year offer a starting point for understanding academic performance. In English language arts, about a third of seventh graders and about a third of eighth graders scored at the proficient level. In math, the share was lower for both grades, with just over a quarter of seventh graders and just under a quarter of eighth graders reaching proficiency. For science, which is tested in eighth grade, a bit more than a quarter of students scored proficient. These figures place the school's overall proficiency index below the midpoint when compared to other districts in Graham County. Because this is only one year of data, and the assessment context is still settling, a family may want to discuss instructional supports and what proficiency looks like on these tests with the school.
The school itself is housed within Pima, a town rooted in agriculture and increasingly attracting retirees and winter visitors. The town has a low-density, dispersed layout typical of rural Arizona, and most errands require a car. Local civic facilities include a museum, a library, parks, a swimming pool, and recreational fields. The nearest larger hubs are Safford and Thatcher, home to Eastern Arizona College, which are a short drive away. The district did not have information about recent major changes, such as boundary shifts, curriculum overhauls, or bond measures, that would be directly relevant to a parent considering enrollment.
For families already living in or moving to the area, Pima Junior High offers the basic public school experience for middle school years in a small-town setting. The academic results suggest room for growth in mathematics particularly. A parent interested in advanced coursework, specialized programs, or elective offerings would not find that information in the available data and should follow up with the school to understand whether such options exist. The school's size means smaller classes and a community where students are likely to be known individually, which can be a draw for those seeking that kind of environment. The housing market in the area shows home values that are below the state average, consistent with a small rural town, which may factor into a family's overall decision about the fit of this community and its school.
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