The top reported proficiency rate is 42% in English language arts. The lowest is 27% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Hughes Charles Arthur Ms
Charles A. Hughes Middle School is a regular public middle school in Mesquite, Nevada, serving grades six through eight as part of the Clark County School District. The enrollment is moderate for a middle school, with students distributed fairly evenly across the three grade levels. The student body is split nearly evenly between Hispanic and White students, with small representation from Asian, Black, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, and multiracial students. Every student qualifies for free or reduced-price lunch, which reflects the economic profile of the families the school serves. Data on individualized education programs and English learner status was not available, so those population figures cannot be characterized here.
On state assessments administered under Nevada's SBAC framework, English language arts is the school's relative bright spot. A meaningful share of students reached proficiency in ELA, well above the share that did so in math or science. Math proficiency was lower, with roughly a quarter of tested students meeting or exceeding standards. Science results were similar, though science was tested only at certain grade levels, so fewer students sat for that exam. Participation was high across all three subjects. No multi-year trend data was available, so it is not possible to say whether performance is improving, declining, or holding steady. Average scale scores were also not reported. A parent wanting to understand the direction of things may want to ask the school directly about recent trends and what interventions are in place for math and science.
Mesquite itself is a desert city along Interstate 15, roughly 80 miles northeast of Las Vegas and about 40 miles southwest of St. George, Utah. It is a place where retirement living and tourism intersect with a growing residential base. Three casino resorts, multiple golf courses, hotels, restaurants, and retail line the commercial corridor along Mesquite Boulevard, while residential neighborhoods spread outward into the Virgin River valley. The city has a strong retirement presence, but publicly reported city planning notes an increase in young families, evidenced by construction of a new high school, a new middle school, and two elementary schools. Daily life in Mesquite is largely auto-dependent, with low density and no traditional walkable downtown grid, though the city maintains an extensive trail system for walking, hiking, and biking. A new I-15 interchange has opened land west of the city for light industrial development, and a hospital with medical and dental clinics has brought healthcare that previously required travel outside the valley.
Housing here is more affordable than the Nevada statewide benchmark, with typical home values sitting below state levels and close to the national figure. Renting is considerably less expensive monthly than carrying a mortgage at current interest rates, which may appeal to families not yet ready to buy. Home values have dipped modestly year over year, while rents have risen slightly. The price-to-income ratio sits above the national level, which can pose a stretch for households earning below area medians.
Several data areas that parents often consult were absent. No information was provided on course access, staffing ratios, discipline, attendance, Title I status, magnet or specialized programs, or extracurricular offerings. No civil rights data was available. No neighbor comparison was provided, so the school cannot be positioned against nearby middle schools in the valley. The district brief search did not return parent-relevant policy or curriculum changes for Clark County School District. These gaps mean a family considering this school should go directly to the school and district for details on academic programming, student support services, and how the campus is resourced.
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