J. O. Combs Middle School vs. Desert Ridge Jr. High School
Should you attend J. O. Combs Middle School or Desert Ridge Jr. High School? Visitors to our site frequently compare these two schools. Compare their rankings, test scores, reviews and more to help you determine which school is the best choice for you.
School Overview
School
Overview
J.
O.
Combs Middle School in San Tan Valley, AZ serves 596 students from kindergarten through 8th grade with a student–teacher ratio of 20:1, which is higher than the state average ratio.
Math proficiency is 21%, lower than the Arizona state average of 34% and below the district average of 27%, showing a general decline from previous years when math proficiency was above 50% in 2013–2014.
Reading proficiency stands at 28%, which is lower than the state average of 40% and district average of 33%, reflecting a downward trend from levels above 75% in 2012–2014.
Science proficiency is 16%, lower than the state average of 24% and district average of 22%, with no available multi–year trend data.
Overall school ranking declined from #898 in 2012 to #1227 in 2023, placing the school in the bottom 50% statewide; enrollment peaked around 700 students in recent years before decreasing to 596 students, and minority enrollment comprises 51% of the student body.
Serving 925 students in grades 7-8, Desert Ridge Jr. High School ranks in the top 50% of all schools in Arizona for overall test scores (math proficiency is top 50%, and reading proficiency is top 50%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 41% (which is higher than the Arizona state average of 34%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 45% (which is higher than the Arizona state average of 40%).
The student-teacher ratio of 19:1 is higher than the Arizona state level of 17:1.
Minority enrollment is 43% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is lower than the Arizona state average of 67% (majority Hispanic).
Grades Offered
K-8
7-8
Total Students
581 students
925 students
Total Classroom Teachers
29 teachers
48 teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
20:1
19:1
Test Scores
Overall Testing Rank
#1227 out of 1921 schools in AZ
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
#617 out of 1921 schools in AZ
(Top 50%)
(Top 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
21%
41%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
28%
45%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
16%
26%
Students by Grade
Students by Grade
Grade 7 Students
282
467
Grade 8 Students
299
458
Students by Ethnicity
% American Indian
2%
n/a
% Asian
n/a
2%
% Hispanic
43%
30%
% Black
5%
4%
% White
45%
57%
% Hawaiian
n/a
1%
% Two or more races
5%
6%
Diversity Score
0.61
0.59
Additional Information
Eligible for Free Lunch
51%
27%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
12%
11%