- Enrollment
- 591
- Students per teacher
- 21.9:1
- Resource Index
- 21/100
Other / mixed grade configuration · Phoenix, AZ
Sun Canyon School
Federal NCES profile for Sun Canyon School, including enrollment, faculty, free-lunch eligibility, demographics, and resource indicators - Resource Investment Index 28/100.
2024-25 NCES dataOther / mixed grade configurationNCES 040306002355
👥 S:T ratio 10
🌟 Gifted program 70
📋 Attendance 5
Scored 0–100 from federal NCES and CRDC indicators, resource allocation, not test scores. Full methodology →
The verdict
Sun Canyon School earns 28/100 on the Resource Investment Index, with class sizes larger than 88% of Arizona schools.
- #103 of 179
- schools in Phoenix · Resource Index
- 28
- Resource Index · Lower
- 22.5:1
- large classes for Arizona
- 54.9%
- free-lunch eligible
Sun Canyon School has class sizes larger than 88% of Arizona schools. Computed live against every Arizona school reporting to NCES.
By Resource Investment Index, Sun Canyon School ranks #103 of 179 schools in Phoenix, AZ.
School address
District: Fowler Elementary District (4273) · Arizona
NCES ID 040306002355 Verify on NCES CCD record →
CCD year-over-year · 2022-23 → 2023-24
+56 students YoY
Sun Canyon School grew from 528 students in 2022-23 to 584 in 2023-24 (+10.6%).
Teacher FTE added 25.0 → 27.0 across the same CCD years.
Source: NCES Common Core of Data public-school universe (2022-23, 2023-24).
Growing CCD campus
+56 students YoY 040306002355 · Phoenix, AZ Other · MID · TRAD
563 enr · 22.5:1 · 54.9% lunch · RII 28
Nearest enrollment peer: Santa Maria Middle School (591 students)
Sun Canyon School grew from 528 students in 2022-23 to 584 in 2023-24 (+10.6%). Teacher FTE added 25.0 → 27.0 across the same CCD years. Read with this school → · District book → · Arizona schools → · Find another →
Sun Canyon School in the enrollment neighbourhood
Fall enrollment among this campus and nearest district peers
- Santa Maria Mi
Santa Maria Middle School
591 students
- This school
Sun Canyon School
563 students
- Western Valley
Western Valley Middle School
553 students
- Tuscano Elemen
Tuscano Elementary School
532 students
- Western Valley
Western Valley Elementary School
532 students
- Sunridge Eleme
Sunridge Elementary School
504 students
What this shows Sun Canyon School reports 563 students on the CCD universe file.
How Sun Canyon School compares
Sun Canyon School 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 | 22.5:1 | ▲ 32% | 17:1 | 15.7:1 |
| Free-lunch eligible | 54.9% | ▲ 14% | 48.3% | 51.7% |
| Enrollment | 563 | top 32% | - | - |
Source: NCES Common Core of Data School-level CCD + state/national means from Public School Universe · 2024-25
22.5:1
Leaner classes than 9% of US schools, heavier class loads than most.
563
Bigger than 69% of US schools by enrollment, mid-sized for the country.
Equity indicators methodology
Economic need
54.9%
free-lunch eligible
- 14% above the Arizona average of 48.3%
Above the 40% Title I schoolwide threshold; federal funds support the whole school, not individual students.
Staffing depth
22.5:1
students per teacher
- 32% above state mean
Top 88% in Arizona - lower ratio than 12% of state schools
Above 20:1, running heavier than the typical U.S. public school; staffing is comparatively stretched.
Engagement
38.0%
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
$10,609
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
0
in-school suspensions + 1 out-of-school
Suspension rate: 0.0 per 100 students. Combined in-school and out-of-school rate: 0.2 per 100 students. Reported via the Civil Rights Data Collection.
Student demographics
Hispanic or Latino 82.4%
African American 10.7%
White 2.5%
Two or More 2.3%
Asian 1.1%
American Indian / Alaska Native 1.1%
Largest group: Hispanic or Latino at 82.4% of enrollment.
Student-body diversity index 30.8/100
Simpson diversity index - at 30.8, Sun Canyon School is less mixed than the Arizona school average of 47.2.
Programs
Gifted & talented Yes
District finance for Fowler Elementary District (4273) reports $10,609 per pupil (NCES F-33) - open the district page for the full revenue mix.
How Sun Canyon School Compares to District-Mates
| School | Enrollment | Economic Profile | Student-Teacher Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Maria Middle School | Similar size | Lower economic need | Similar S:T ratio |
| Western Valley Middle School | Similar size | Similar economic need | Similar S:T ratio |
| Tuscano Elementary School | Similar size | Similar economic need | Lower S:T ratio |
| Western Valley Elementary School | Similar size | Similar economic need | Similar S:T ratio |
| Sunridge Elementary School | Similar size | Similar economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
Comparisons are relative to Sun Canyon School's own figures; each column derives from NCES Common Core of Data.
Other Schools in This District
- Enrollment
- 553
- Students per teacher
- 22.1:1
- Resource Index
- 43/100
- Enrollment
- 532
- Students per teacher
- 18.3:1
- Resource Index
- 24/100
- Enrollment
- 532
- Students per teacher
- 21.3:1
- Resource Index
- 11/100
- Enrollment
- 504
- Students per teacher
- 24:1
- Resource Index
- 9/100
Similar other schools in Phoenix
6 comparable other schools (grades Mixed) serving the same city.
Pan-American Charter School
Standard public school
1,221 students
Great Hearts Academies - Anthem Prep
Standard public school
1,031 students
Westwind Elementary School
Standard public school
932 students 19.4:1 students per teacher
Stetson Hills School
Standard public school
887 students 17.4:1 students per teacher
Union Park School
Standard public school
873 students 19:1 students per teacher
Fireside Elementary School
Standard public school
693 students 15.1:1 students per teacher
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 (~563 students)
Frequently asked questions about Sun Canyon School
How many students attend Sun Canyon School?
Sun Canyon School has 563 students enrolled. It is a public school in Phoenix, AZ. CCD year-over-year: 528 (2022-23) → 584 (2023-24), up 56.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Sun Canyon School?
The student-teacher ratio at Sun Canyon School is 22.5:1, which is 32% higher than the Arizona average of 17:1 and 43% higher than the national average of 15.7:1.
What percentage of students receive free lunch at Sun Canyon School?
54.9% of students at Sun Canyon School are eligible for free lunch, compared to the Arizona average of 48.3%.
What is the racial and ethnic makeup of Sun Canyon School?
The largest demographic group at Sun Canyon School is Hispanic or Latino at 82.4% of enrollment, in Phoenix, AZ.
What is the Resource Investment Index for Sun Canyon School?
Sun Canyon School has a Resource Investment Index of 28/100 (lower 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 Sun Canyon School rank among schools in Phoenix?
By Resource Investment Index, Sun Canyon School ranks #103 of 179 schools in Phoenix, AZ. This compares federal resource and staffing data among local peers; it is not a test-score or academic ranking. See all schools in Phoenix on the city page.
What other schools are in Fowler Elementary District (4273)?
Besides Sun Canyon School, Fowler Elementary District (4273) also operates Santa Maria Middle School (591 students), Western Valley Middle School (553 students), and Tuscano Elementary School (532 students). See the Fowler Elementary District (4273) district page for the complete list.