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Shepherd Junior High School

Grades 04–08 · MESA, AZ · NCES 040497001376

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1407 N ALTA MESA DR · MESA, AZ 85205

At a glance

Reported students

581

NCES CCD 2024–25

Teachers (FTE)

28.2

NCES CCD 2024–25

Student–teacher ratio

20.6:1

Calculated; not a class-size measure

Grades served

04–08

NCES preliminary directory 2025–26

School benchmarks

Arizona middle enrollment

61st percentile

Compared with 211 same-level schools reporting enrollment.

District median enrollment

526

Shepherd Junior High School: 581 reported students.

State peer staffing position

80th percentile

20.6:1 reported; state peer median 18.2:1. Ratio is not class size.

Historical enrollment and staffing · CRDC 2021–22

These older figures are kept separate from 2024–25 statistics and benchmarks. Differences between years can reflect changes in enrollment, staffing, or reporting scope.

Students
632
Teachers (FTE)
33.84
Student–teacher ratio
18.7:1

What the reported data says about Shepherd Junior High School

Shepherd Junior High School is a public middle school serving grades 04–08 in MESA. It is one of 78 current school records connected to Mesa Unified District (4235). NCES reports 581 students for 2024–25.

Among 211 middle schools in Arizona with comparable records, this school is larger than the reported median of 498 students. Its enrollment is at approximately the 61st percentile for that peer group. Size describes the campus, not instructional quality.

The reported student–teacher ratio is 20.6:1, above the Arizona median of 18.2:1 for the same school level. This ratio uses total enrollment and teacher FTE; it is not an average classroom headcount and can be affected by special programs or part-time staffing.

The largest reported race and ethnicity groups are White (62.1%) and Hispanic or Latino (27.9%). English learners represent 3.3% of enrollment. Students served under IDEA represent 19.3%. These figures help families understand who the school serves; they are not rating inputs.

The 2021–22 civil-rights collection reports gifted and talented programming. Program availability changes, so families should confirm the current catalog and participation rules directly with the school.

Questions worth asking Shepherd Junior High School

  1. 1How do the reported 20.6:1 student–teacher ratio and 28.2 teacher FTE translate into actual class sizes by grade?
  2. 2Which advanced, gifted, career, arts, and computer-science courses are available this year, and how do students qualify?
  3. 3What counseling support is available today? The school reported 2 counselor FTE in 2021–22.
  4. 4What meal assistance, transportation, after-school, and family-support services are currently available?
Bring the full school visit checklist →

Enrollment needs

English learners
3.3%
Students with disabilities
19.3%
Lunch program
Yes participating without using any Provision or the CEO

Reported support staff

Counselors (FTE)
2
Nurses (FTE)
0.5
Psychologists (FTE)
0
Social workers (FTE)
0

CRDC 2021–22 full-time-equivalent counts; verify current assignments with the school.

Student demographics

Race and ethnicity share of reported enrollment

  • White62.1%
  • Hispanic27.9%
  • Black2.8%
  • Asian0.7%
  • American Indian / Alaska Native1.5%
  • Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander0.5%
  • Multiracial4.5%

Race/ethnicity: NCES CCD 2024–25. English learner and disability context: CRDC 2021–22. Lunch eligibility: NCES CCD 2024–25. Privacy rules can produce missing values.

Programs reported by the school

Gifted and talented

Offered

CRDC 2021–22: the AP flag records student enrollment; gifted and computer-science fields describe reported programs/classes. Confirm current courses and eligibility with the school.

Other schools in Mesa Unified District (4235)

Start with campuses at the same school level or with similar reported enrollment.

Rhodes Junior High School

Middle · Grades 07–09

599 reported students

Smith Junior High School

Middle · Grades 07–08

707 reported students

Poston Junior High School

Middle · Grades 07–09

782 reported students

Kino Junior High School

Middle · Grades 07–08

805 reported students

Fremont Junior High School

Middle · Grades 07–08

822 reported students

Franklin Junior High School

Middle · Grades 07–09

288 reported students

View all 78 district schools →