The reported proficiency rate for English language arts is 30%.
Original Research by School Decision on Booth-fickett Math/science Magnet School
Booth-Fickett Math/Science Magnet School serves grades pre-K through 8 as a regular public school within the Tucson Unified District, the largest school system in southern Arizona. The school sits in Tucson, a sprawling desert city whose economy revolves around the University of Arizona, Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, and a growing technology sector. Families choosing this school are opting into a science- and math-focused magnet program, which matters because the district operates under a long-standing federal desegregation order that shapes magnet placement, student assignment, and transportation. A parent considering Booth-Fickett should understand that the district's Unitary Status Plan directly governs which students can attend and what support the school provides for integration.
The student body, which is relatively small for a school serving this grade span, reflects the broader Tucson region's demographics. Hispanic or Latino students make up the largest share, followed by Black students and White students, with smaller groups of students who are two or more races, American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian, and Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander. This is a school where families should expect a diverse peer environment. Data on the share of students who qualify for free or reduced-price lunch was not available, nor was information on the number of students with disabilities or English learners, so a parent may want to ask the school directly about its support for those populations and the resources allocated through its magnet designation.
State assessment results for the 2024-25 school year are largely suppressed, which means the state has not publicly released proficiency rates for most grade levels and subjects. This is a significant gap. The only reported figure is for eighth-grade English language arts, where about three out of every ten students scored at or above the proficient level. A multi-year trend, built from only the most recent year's data, shows an overall proficiency index that puts Booth-Fickett below the midpoint among the districts in Pima County. Because the data is thin and many results are suppressed, a parent should contact the school directly for a clearer picture of student performance and how the school measures academic progress across grades. No graduation rate is available, as the school ends at eighth grade.
The neighborhood surrounding the school is in the eastern part of Tucson, a largely automobile-dependent area with suburban-style development. Housing values in the ZIP code are slightly below the state average, and rents are moderate relative to incomes, which may appeal to families looking for a more affordable entry point into the Tucson market. The school's magnet focus on math and science is its defining feature, and the district's override funding, approved by voters in 2024, helps support magnet programs along with art, music, physical education, full-day kindergarten, and smaller class sizes. That override is a meaningful factor: it provides a substantial annual sum that makes up a notable portion of the district's budget and has been in place for decades.
TUSD is also navigating a long-term enrollment decline, which has prompted ongoing discussions about school utilization and possible closures. Families moving into the area should be aware that the district's footprint may shift over time, potentially affecting school assignments. Booth-Fickett's small size and specialized focus could offer it some insulation from broader consolidation pressures, but it is not clear from available information how the district views this school's long-term role.
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