The top reported proficiency rate is 37% in English language arts. The lowest is 16% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Curry Elementary School
Curry Elementary School, serving kindergarten through fifth grade in the Tempe School District, sits in a residential part of the city near Arizona State University’s main campus. The school is a regular public school and is not a charter. It serves about a moderate-sized student body for an elementary school in this part of the Phoenix metro area.
The student population is notably diverse. The largest single group is Hispanic students, followed by White students, Black students, and American Indian or Alaska Native students, with smaller shares identifying as Asian, two or more races, or Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander. No single racial or ethnic group forms an overwhelming majority, which means children here are likely to interact with peers from a wide range of backgrounds.
Academically, the picture is mixed. State assessment results from the most recent testing year show that proficiency rates across tested grades and subjects place the school below the midpoint relative to other districts in Maricopa County. In fourth grade, for instance, a modest share of students met the bar in English language arts, and a smaller share did so in math. The third and fifth grade results were not reported, likely because the data was suppressed for those grades; a parent would want to check with the school for those details directly. In fifth grade science, the proficiency rate was low, with only a small portion of students reaching the proficient or above level. Looking at this single year, the school's overall index of performance on state tests is below the median of county schools. This is a soft spot in the school's profile and a point families should consider.
The school does not serve high school grades, so there is no graduation rate to speak of. Data on discipline, chronic absenteeism, staffing ratios, and course access were not provided in the available information, which limits a fuller picture of the daily environment. Similarly, no data on the share of students who qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, or who receive special education services or English learner supports, was available.
The neighborhood context of Tempe is shaped heavily by Arizona State University. The northern part of the city, particularly the Mill Avenue district and the area around Tempe Town Lake, is dense and walkable, with high-rises and a lively entertainment district. The southern part of the city, where Curry Elementary is located, gives way to single-family homes, strip malls, and lower-density development. The light rail line connects the city to Phoenix and Mesa. Major employers in the city include the university, State Farm, and a number of corporate headquarters. The housing market in the area shows home values that have seen a slight dip recently, and rents have also softened a bit, though the area remains a relatively expensive place to live in the region.
For a family considering Curry Elementary, the school offers a diverse peer environment in a city with strong civic and economic anchors. The academic results on state assessments are below the county median, which is a significant consideration. Because data on several key school characteristics is not available, including the school's Title I status and the proportion of students with disabilities or who are English learners, a parent may want to visit the school, speak with the principal, and ask about academic supports and the school's specific curriculum. The district itself showed no recent major policy changes or initiatives in publicly reported sources, so there is little to add from that angle.
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