The top reported proficiency rate is 32% in English language arts. The lowest is 31% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Percy L Julian School
Percy L Julian School is a regular public school in the Roosevelt Elementary District, serving kindergarten through eighth grade in south-central Phoenix. The school is named for the renowned chemist and is a neighborhood school with a modest enrollment, drawing its students predominantly from the surrounding residential area. The student body is composed largely of Hispanic and Black students, with a very small share of White, Native American, and multiracial students. Data on economic disadvantage, English learner status, and special education enrollment were not available in the record, so a fuller picture of student support needs is not possible from the numbers alone.
State testing results are mixed and incomplete. For the most recent school year, proficiency rates in math and English language arts were reported for some grade levels but suppressed for others, a pattern that often occurs when the number of test-takers in a subgroup is too small to report publicly without risking student identification. Where scores were reported, the rates were modest; across all tested grades and subjects the school’s overall proficiency index fell below the midpoint compared to other school districts in Maricopa County. The multi-year trend data, which covers only the single most recent year, shows a proficiency level that is similarly modest across both subjects. Parents considering the school may want to discuss with administrators how the school addresses academic gaps in the grades where scores are not publicly reported and what interventions are in place.
Because the school serves only through eighth grade, there is no high school graduation rate to consider. There is also no data on chronic absenteeism, discipline, staffing ratios, or course access in the available record, so the extent of student engagement and the breadth of academic pathways beyond the core subjects are not documented here.
The school is part of Roosevelt Elementary District, which operates a number of elementary and middle schools across this part of Phoenix. A search for recent district-level changes—such as boundary adjustments, program launches, or facility investments—turned up no lasting parent-relevant developments, so families should rely on direct communication from the district for current information.
Phoenix itself is a large, fast-growing urban center with a diversified economy centered on technology, manufacturing, tourism, and services. The city’s built environment is car-oriented, with wide streets and a grid layout. Housing values in the school’s immediate zip code are below the statewide average, and the area has seen a slight decline in home prices and rents in the past year. The local housing market is less expensive than much of the rest of Maricopa County, though affordability relative to national income benchmarks remains tight. The broader metro area is a major employment hub, anchored by Sky Harbor International Airport and a concentration of aerospace and electronics manufacturing.
For a family considering Percy L Julian School, the key takeaway is that it is a small, K-8 neighborhood school serving a predominantly Hispanic and Black student population in a large urban district. Academically, the available test results place it below the midpoint of Maricopa County districts, and many grade-level results are suppressed, meaning the full academic picture is not publicly visible. The school offers no high school programs, so students must transition to a separate high school after eighth grade. The lack of data on economic disadvantage, special populations, and student engagement means a parent will need to visit, talk to staff, and observe classrooms to gauge the learning environment and support systems. The surrounding community is urban and sprawling, with housing costs that have softened slightly but remain a significant expense relative to local incomes.
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