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Maricopa Unified

Below Average2024–25 data3 schools · avg 26.8/100

Maricopa Unified has 3 ranked schools across elementary, middle and high levels with an average Scope Score of 26.8/100 — 17.0 points below the California state average of 43.8. The highest-scoring school is Maricopa High at 30/100, where 7.7% of students exceed the state standard. The district spends $19,796 per student (above the state average of $14,815). Chronic absenteeism averages 29.9%, above the state average. Data source: CDE CAASPP 2025 and NCES fiscal data, analyzed by SchoolScope.

Avg Scope Score
26.8
State avg: 43.8
SchoolScope composite
Score Range
6.0
24.3 – 30.3
Avg Exceeded %
5.0%
State avg: 21.6%
Chronic Absenteeism
29.9%
State avg: 18.1%
Schools Ranked
3
With Scope Scores
LevelAvg ScoreSchoolsExceededAbsent
ElementaryNeeds Support
24.3/100
15.1%29.3%
MiddleNeeds Support
25.9/100
12.1%24.5%
HighDeveloping
30.3/100
17.7%35.8%

K–12 pipeline

The typical school path in Maricopa Unified, top-scoring shown first.

Elementary
24.3
avg score · 1 school
Maricopa Elementary
Needs Support
24/100
Middle
25.9
avg score · 1 school
Maricopa Middle
Needs Support
26/100
High
30.3
avg score · 1 school
Maricopa High
Developing
30/100

District Analysis

Strongest level: Maricopa Unified's high schools lead the district with an average Scope Score of 30.3.

Growth story: District-wide elementary growth averages +5.7pp (state avg: -3.0pp), suggesting schools are adding meaningful value.

Consistency: Score range of 6.0 points — remarkably consistent between schools.

Absenteeism: District chronic absenteeism averages 29.9%, 11.7pp below the state average of 18.1%.

Suspensions: District suspension rate averages 6.2%, below the state average of 1.7%.

Top school: Maricopa High leads the district at 30 with 7.7% exceeding standard.

How we score · Scope Score methodology

School archetypes in Maricopa Unified

1 On the Rise2 Building Momentum

Hidden gems: 1 school in Maricopa Unified is classified as On the Rise — showing positive growth trajectories that raw proficiency scores alone don't capture. These are schools where students leave with more than they arrived with.

Archetypes are data-driven labels based on Scope Score dimensions. Learn more

Student demographics

Hispanic
54.1%
White
42.1%
Black
0.8%
Other
3.0%
Free/Reduced Lunch
96%
Economic need indicator · district avg

District averages · California Department of Education enrollment data

District Funding

Maricopa Unified spends $19,796 per student in current expenditures — $4,981 above the state average of $14,815.

Per-Pupil Spending
$19,796
State avg: $14,815
District Enrollment
318
Students for funding calc
2016–2020 Trend
↑ 1391.4%
$1,327 → $19,796
Spending Efficiency
1.35
Scope Score per $1K spent
Spending Breakdown
Instruction 58%Support 39%Other 3%
NCES F-33 Finance · District-level data — not school-specific

Data source: NCES Common Core of Data, Fiscal Survey (F-33) · 2019–2020

Elementary Schools (1)

Maricopa Unified has 1 ranked elementary schools averaging a Scope Score of 24.3 — 19.5 points below the state average of 43.8.

District-wide growth averages +5.7pp, suggesting schools are adding value beyond what students arrive with.

The highest-scoring elementary school is Maricopa Elementary with a Scope Score of 24 and 5.1% exceeding standard.

#SchoolExceededScore
1Maricopa Elementary
Maricopa Unified On the Rise
5.1%Needs Support
24/100

Middle Schools (1)

Maricopa Unified has 1 ranked middle schools averaging a Scope Score of 25.9 — 14.6 points below the state average of 40.5.

Growth averages -3.3pp district-wide — a negative trend worth examining.

The highest-scoring middle school is Maricopa Middle with a Scope Score of 26 and 2.1% exceeding standard.

#SchoolExceededScore
1Maricopa Middle
Maricopa Unified Building Momentum
2.1%Needs Support
26/100

High Schools (1)

Maricopa Unified has 1 ranked high schools averaging a Scope Score of 30.3 — 17.2 points below the state average of 47.5.

The highest-scoring high school is Maricopa High with a Scope Score of 30 and 7.7% exceeding standard.

#SchoolExceededScore
1Maricopa High
Maricopa Unified Building Momentum
7.7%Developing
30/100

Data source: California Department of Education · CAASPP 2024-25 · Methodology

Scores are SchoolScope's analysis of public data, not official CDE ratings. They represent one way of interpreting test results and should not be the sole basis for school decisions.

What Scope Scores can't tell you about Maricopa Unified

  • Class sizes and student-teacher interaction quality
  • Quality of arts, music, athletics, and enrichment programs
  • Teacher experience, turnover, and professional development
  • Campus safety, bullying climate, and social-emotional support
  • Parent and community engagement levels
  • Quality of special education and gifted programs
  • How resources are distributed across schools within the district

Scope Scores measure academic performance and school climate using public data. They are one lens among many. Full methodology

Frequently asked questions

Is Maricopa Unified a good school district?
Maricopa Unified has 3 ranked schools averaging a Scope Score of 26.8/100, which is 17.0 points below the California state average of 43.8. 5.0% of students exceed the state standard on average. The Scope Score measures academic performance and school climate across six dimensions. Data source: CDE CAASPP 2025, analyzed by SchoolScope.
What is the best school in Maricopa Unified?
The highest-scoring school in Maricopa Unified is Maricopa High with a Scope Score of 30/100 and 7.7% exceeding standard. See methodology.
How much does Maricopa Unified spend per student?
Maricopa Unified spends $19,796 per student in current expenditures. The state average is $14,815. Spending data comes from the NCES Common Core of Data Fiscal Survey (F-33). Higher spending does not automatically mean better outcomes — the Scope Score measures what happens in the classroom regardless of budget.
What does the Scope Score measure?
The Scope Score is SchoolScope's proprietary composite rating (0–100) based on six dimensions of publicly available California school data: the exceeded-vs-met standard split, overall proficiency, grade-level growth, chronic absenteeism, suspension rate, and ELPAC English Learner proficiency. Full methodology and weights.