- Enrollment
- 2,992
- Students per teacher
- 23:1
- Resource Index
- 34/100
Other / mixed grade configuration · Mesa, AZ
Meridian
Federal NCES profile for Meridian, including enrollment, faculty, free-lunch eligibility, demographics, and resource indicators - Resource Investment Index 44/100.
2024-25 NCES dataOther / mixed grade configurationNCES 040340002476
👥 S:T ratio 28
🌟 Gifted program 70
📋 Attendance 33
Scored 0–100 from federal NCES and CRDC indicators, resource allocation, not test scores. Full methodology →
The verdict
Meridian earns 44/100 on the Resource Investment Index, with class sizes near the Arizona median.
- #11 of 70
- schools in Mesa · Resource Index
- 44
- Resource Index · Typical
- 18.1:1
- students per teacher
- 15.9%
- free-lunch eligible
Meridian has class sizes near the Arizona median. Computed live against every Arizona school reporting to NCES.
By Resource Investment Index, Meridian ranks #11 of 70 schools in Mesa, AZ.
School address
District: Gilbert Unified District (4239) · Arizona
NCES ID 040340002476 Verify on NCES CCD record →
CCD year-over-year · 2022-23 → 2023-24
+42 students YoY
Meridian grew from 791 students in 2022-23 to 833 in 2023-24 (+5.3%).
Teacher FTE added 47.5 → 52.8 across the same CCD years.
Source: NCES Common Core of Data public-school universe (2022-23, 2023-24).
Growing CCD campus
+42 students YoY 040340002476 · Mesa, AZ Other · MID · TRAD
850 enr · 18.1:1 · 15.9% lunch · RII 44
Nearest enrollment peer: Highland High School (2,992 students)
Meridian grew from 791 students in 2022-23 to 833 in 2023-24 (+5.3%). Teacher FTE added 47.5 → 52.8 across the same CCD years. Read with this school → · District book → · Arizona schools → · Find another →
Meridian in the enrollment neighbourhood
Fall enrollment among this campus and nearest district peers
- Highland High
Highland High School
2,992 students
- Gilbert High S
Gilbert High School
2,418 students
- Desert Ridge H
Desert Ridge High
2,103 students
- Campo Verde Hi
Campo Verde High School
1,863 students
- Mesquite High
Mesquite High School
1,303 students
- This school 850
Meridian
850 students
What this shows Meridian reports 850 students on the CCD universe file.
How Meridian compares
Meridian is a growing campus on CCD: ratios and free-lunch share vs Arizona and U.S. means.
| Metric | This school | vs Arizona | Arizona avg | U.S. avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Students per teacher | 18.1:1 | ▲ 6% | 17:1 | 15.7:1 |
| Free-lunch eligible | 15.9% | ▼ 67% | 48.3% | 51.7% |
| Enrollment | 850 | top 13% | - | - |
Source: NCES Common Core of Data School-level CCD + state/national means from Public School Universe · 2024-25
18.1:1
Leaner classes than 24% of US schools, heavier class loads than most.
850
Bigger than 87% of US schools by enrollment, a large campus nationally.
Equity indicators methodology
Economic need
15.9%
free-lunch eligible
- 67% below the Arizona average of 48.3%
Below the 40% Title I threshold, among the lower-need profiles in the state; federal aid targets individual qualifying students rather than schoolwide programs.
Staffing depth
18.1:1
students per teacher
- 6% above state mean
Top 64% in Arizona - lower ratio than 36% of state schools
Between 16:1 and 20:1, squarely in the typical U.S. public-school staffing range.
Engagement
26.7%
chronically absent (missed 10%+ of school days)
At or above 20%, the commonly used threshold for "high" chronic absenteeism, signaling significant barriers to regular attendance.
Funding equity
$10,928
per pupil, district-wide
- below Arizona avg of $13,502
Well below the U.S. average per-pupil spend, a notably leaner funding position that may affect programs, facilities, and staffing.
Support staff
Counselors0.0 FTE
Student-support staffing from the Civil Rights Data Collection.
Discipline context
6
in-school suspensions + 12 out-of-school
Suspension rate: 0.7 per 100 students. Combined in-school and out-of-school rate: 2.1 per 100 students. Reported via the Civil Rights Data Collection.
Student demographics
White 62.4%
Hispanic or Latino 26.9%
Two or More 5.6%
African American 2.8%
Asian 1.3%
American Indian / Alaska Native 0.7%
Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander 0.2%
Largest group: White at 62.4% of enrollment.
Student-body diversity index 53.4/100
Simpson diversity index - at 53.4, Meridian is more mixed than the Arizona school average of 47.2.
Programs
Gifted & talented Yes
District finance for Gilbert Unified District (4239) reports $10,928 per pupil (NCES F-33) - open the district page for the full revenue mix.
How Meridian Compares to District-Mates
| School | Enrollment | Economic Profile | Student-Teacher Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Highland High School | Larger | Similar economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| Gilbert High School | Larger | Similar economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| Desert Ridge High | Larger | Similar economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| Campo Verde High School | Larger | Similar economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| Mesquite High School | Larger | Similar economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
Comparisons are relative to Meridian's own figures; each column derives from NCES Common Core of Data.
Other Schools in This District
- Enrollment
- 2,418
- Students per teacher
- 21.8:1
- Resource Index
- 38/100
- Enrollment
- 2,103
- Students per teacher
- 21.5:1
- Resource Index
- 33/100
- Enrollment
- 1,863
- Students per teacher
- 21.7:1
- Resource Index
- 34/100
- Enrollment
- 1,303
- Students per teacher
- 20:1
- Resource Index
- 31/100
Similar other schools in Mesa
6 comparable other schools (grades Mixed) serving the same city.
Eastmark High School
Standard public school
1,889 students 23.6:1 students per teacher
Sequoia Choice School Arizona Distance Learning School
Standard public school
1,711 students
Silver Valley Elementary
Standard public school
1,384 students 22.7:1 students per teacher
Astravo Online Academy
Standard public school
849 students
Eagleridge Enrichment Program
Standard public school
694 students 63.1:1 students per teacher
American Leadership Academy Virtual
Standard public school
660 students
Nationwide other schools with similar size or staffing
Out-of-state peers matched by enrollment and by student-teacher ratio, not the same-city or same-district lists above.
Similar enrollment (~850 students)
Similar student-teacher ratio (~18.1:1)
Frequently asked questions about Meridian
How many students attend Meridian?
Meridian has 850 students enrolled. It is a public school in Mesa, AZ. CCD year-over-year: 791 (2022-23) → 833 (2023-24), up 42.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Meridian?
The student-teacher ratio at Meridian is 18.1:1, which is 6% higher than the Arizona average of 17:1 and 15% higher than the national average of 15.7:1.
What percentage of students receive free lunch at Meridian?
15.9% of students at Meridian are eligible for free lunch, compared to the Arizona average of 48.3%.
What is the racial and ethnic makeup of Meridian?
The largest demographic group at Meridian is White at 62.4% of enrollment, in Mesa, AZ. Its student body is more racially and ethnically mixed than most US schools, with a diversity index of 53.4/100.
What is the Resource Investment Index for Meridian?
Meridian has a Resource Investment Index of 44/100 (typical reported resources relative to schools nationally) based on 3 factors: student-teacher ratio, gifted-program reporting, chronic absenteeism. Not a test-score or academic measure (national median ~41/100, see methodology).
How does Meridian rank among schools in Mesa?
By Resource Investment Index, Meridian ranks #11 of 70 schools in Mesa, AZ. This compares federal resource and staffing data among local peers; it is not a test-score or academic ranking. See all schools in Mesa on the city page.
What other schools are in Gilbert Unified District (4239)?
Besides Meridian, Gilbert Unified District (4239) also operates Highland High School (2,992 students), Gilbert High School (2,418 students), and Desert Ridge High (2,103 students). See the Gilbert Unified District (4239) district page for the complete list.