- Early Education Center — Grades PK–PK · 77 students
- Red Mountain Center for Early Education — Grades PK–PK
- Fremont Junior High School — Grades 7–8 · 822 students
- Kino Junior High School — Grades 7–8 · 805 students
- Smith Junior High School — Grades 7–8 · 707 students
- Mountain View High School — Grades 9–12 · 3,421 students
- Red Mountain High School — Grades 9–12 · 3,379 students
- Mesa High School — Grades 9–12 · 3,233 students
- Westwood High School — Grades 9–12 · 3,135 students
- Dobson High School — Grades 9–12 · 2,284 students
- Skyline High School — Grades 9–12 · 1,995 students
- East Valley Academy — Grades 9–12 · 295 students
- Summit Academy — Grades PK–8 · 1,181 students
- Carson Junior High School — Grades 7–9 · 946 students
- Taylor Junior High School — Grades 7–9 · 908 students
- Stapley Junior High School — Grades 7–9 · 899 students
- Franklin Accelerated Academy - Brimhall Campus — Grades PK–6 · 889 students
- Ishikawa Elementary School — Grades PK–6 · 786 students
- Poston Junior High School — Grades 7–9 · 782 students
- Patterson Elementary — Grades PK–6 · 733 students
- Stevenson Elementary School — Grades PK–6 · 725 students
- Zaharis Elementary — Grades PK–6 · 721 students
- Emerson Elementary School — Grades PK–6 · 717 students
- Eagleridge Enrichment Program — Grades K–9 · 694 students
- Adams Elementary School — Grades PK–6 · 667 students
- Hermosa Vista Elementary School — Grades PK–6 · 662 students
- Highland Arts Elementary — Grades PK–6 · 648 students
- Las Sendas Elementary School — Grades PK–6 · 645 students
- Rhodes Junior High School — Grades 7–9 · 599 students
- Webster Elementary School — Grades PK–6 · 591 students
- Keller Elementary School — Grades PK–6 · 581 students
- Shepherd Junior High School — Grades 4–8 · 581 students
- Lincoln Elementary School — Grades PK–6 · 572 students
- Whitman Elementary School — Grades PK–6 · 569 students
- Entz Elementary School — Grades PK–6 · 567 students
- Field Elementary School — Grades PK–6 · 564 students
- Johnson Elementary School — Grades PK–6 · 562 students
- + 52 more other schools
with district
with district
| Metric | Mesa Unified District | National Average | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Enrollment | 58,343 | 3,700 | Much larger than avg |
| Number of Schools | 78 | 6 | Varies by district |
| Per-Pupil Spending | $10,088/yr | $13,700/yr | State avg est. |
| District Type | Charter School District | Public District | — |
| Overall Rating | 6/10 — Average | — | Near average |
🔢 Show the math behind this rating
Ranked against 492 rated districts in AZ → 53rd percentile → 6/10.
Source: Arizona Dept. of Education AASA/ACT/MSAA combined assessments, Percent Passing, 2025. Full methodology →
About Mesa Unified District
Mesa Unified District is the public school district assigned to zip code 85256 in Mesa, Arizona. Serving students from 7th – 12th, this district is the primary public education system for families living in and around zip code 85256. The sections below cover the district’s resources, scale, rating, and everything families need to know about enrollment and school assignment.
Understanding the 6/10 Rating
With a rating of 6/10 (average), Mesa Unified District ranks among Arizona’s average-rated school systems. Our ratings are based on state assessment results — the share of students scoring proficient or above in reading and math, as reported in Arizona’s AASA/ACT/MSAA combined assessments (2025 school year). We average each district’s reading and math proficiency, then rank it against other districts in the same state to produce a 1–10 score. Because Arizona is compared only against itself, the rating reflects how this district performs relative to its in-state peers.
Mesa Unified District falls near the middle of Arizona on state assessment results, with reading and math proficiency close to the state median. Average-rated districts provide foundational public education, and many families find they deliver solid day-to-day learning — particularly when parents stay engaged. If you're considering this area, look beyond the overall rating: visit schools, talk to current parents, and research the specific school your child would attend. Average districts often have individual schools that significantly outperform the district mean.
Enrollment for Families in Zip Code 85256
Children in zip code 85256 are assigned to Mesa Unified District for public school enrollment, covering grades 7th – 12th. School assignments are address-specific — your elementary, middle, and high school placements depend on your exact street address within zip code 85256, not just your neighborhood. Two homes on opposite ends of the same zip code may be assigned to different schools within the same district.
To confirm your specific school assignments, contact Mesa Unified District at (480)472-0200 or visit www.mpsaz.org. Typical enrollment documents include proof of address, a government-issued birth certificate, immunization records, and any existing school records or IEP documentation. If your child has an IEP or 504 plan, bring that documentation to enrollment — Arizona districts are required to continue services within a reasonable period. Fall enrollment windows typically open in late winter or early spring; contact the district for exact dates and required steps.
School Districts and Home Values in Scottsdale
For families considering a purchase in the Mesa area, district assignment matters financially. Because Mesa Unified District serves zip code 85256, homes in and around zip code 85256 often carry a measurable premium over comparable properties in adjacent lower-rated districts. District boundaries are address-specific — verify the exact district assignment for any property you’re seriously considering rather than assuming based on the neighborhood. A single block can place two adjacent homes in different districts with different ratings and different annual property tax implications.
Use the property tax estimator on this page to calculate estimated annual tax obligations based on your target purchase price. In Arizona, property taxes are a primary funding source for public schools — your tax payments directly support Mesa Unified District programs and staff. Understanding both district quality and the associated tax burden is essential financial due diligence before committing to any home in zip code 85256.
Data Sources and Accuracy
All district information on this page is sourced from the NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) 2024–2025, the U.S. Department of Education’s annual census of all public school districts — the same dataset used by researchers, journalists, and policymakers to analyze American public education. District boundaries, school assignments, phone numbers, and per-pupil expenditure figures are updated annually when NCES publishes new data, typically in spring. Always verify your specific school assignment and enrollment requirements directly with Mesa Unified District before making any housing or enrollment decision based on zip code 85256 data.