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Willie & Coy Payne Jr. High School

7655 S Higley Rd
Queen Creek, AZ 85142
(School attendance zone shown in map)
7/
10
Top 50%
Serving 1,127 students in grades 7-8, Willie & Coy Payne 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 42% (which is higher than the Arizona state average of 35%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 50% (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 34% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is lower than the Arizona state average of 66% (majority Hispanic).

Quick Stats (2025)

  • Grades: 7-8
  • Enrollment: 1,127 students
  • Student:Teacher Ratio: 19:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 34%
  • : Top 50% in AZ
  • : 42% (Top 50%)
  • : 50% (Top 30%)
  • : 44% (Top 20%)
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), AZ Dept. of Education

Top Rankings

Willie & Coy Payne Jr. High School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Arizona for:

Category
Attribute

School Overview

Willie & Coy Payne Jr. High School's student population of 1,127 students has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
The teacher population of 58 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades 7-8
(No virtual instruction)
Total Students
1,127 students
Gender %
Total Classroom Teachers
58 teachers
School Calendar

School Rankings

Willie & Coy Payne Jr. High School ranks within the top 50% of all 1,956 schools in Arizona (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Willie & Coy Payne Jr. High School is 0.52, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.66. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
This School
State Level (AZ)
#599 out of 1956 schools
(Top 50%)
42%
35%
50%
40%
44%
24%
Student : Teacher Ratio
19:1
17:1
American Indian
1%
5%
Asian
3%
3%
Hispanic
20%
48%
Black
4%
6%
White
66%
34%
Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
Two or more races
6%
4%
All Ethnic Groups
0.52
Eligible for Free Lunch
11%
40%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
2%
10%
School Statewide Testing
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), AZ Dept. of Education
Profile last updated: 02/09/2025

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Willie & Coy Payne Jr. High School's ranking?
Willie & Coy Payne Jr. High School is ranked #599 out of 1,956 schools, which ranks it among the top 50% of public schools in Arizona.
What schools are Willie & Coy Payne Jr. High School often compared to?
Willie & Coy Payne Jr. High Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Sossaman Middle School, Santan Junior High School, Dr. Camille Casteel High School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
42% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 35% AZ state average), while 50% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 40% AZ state average).
How many students attend Willie & Coy Payne Jr. High School?
1,127 students attend Willie & Coy Payne Jr. High School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
66% of Willie & Coy Payne Jr. High School students are White, 20% of students are Hispanic, 6% of students are Two or more races, 4% of students are Black, 3% of students are Asian, and 1% of students are American Indian.
What is the student:teacher ratio of Willie & Coy Payne Jr. High School?
Willie & Coy Payne Jr. High School has a student ration of 19:1, which is higher than the Arizona state average of 17:1.
What grades does Willie & Coy Payne Jr. High School offer ?
Willie & Coy Payne Jr. High School offers enrollment in grades 7-8 (No virtual instruction).
What school district is Willie & Coy Payne Jr. High School part of?
Willie & Coy Payne Jr. High School is part of Chandler Unified District #80 (4242) School District.

School Reviews

5   9/9/2017
We have had a great experience with Payne Jr. High. Our son is thriving and I have nothing but positive things to say about this school.
- Posted by Parent - JD Doolin
2   11/16/2015
We have moved all over the country and this school is by far the worst school we have ever attended. I have never written a review on any of the other 6 states we've lived in and in fact have never had hardly any complaints at other schools. This was the most uncaring, uninvolved, lackluster, blah school we've attended. For eighth grade graduation, you had to be invited to participate and the invitation came through winning an award. So for the other half of students who did not get an award, you simply left on the last day of school with a good-bye (if that even happened). My student is a gifted, well liked, kind, friendly individual. She goes out of her way to help others and be involved, unlike most of the teachers, and front office staff at this school. Terrible.
- Posted by Parent - tjenk

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Quick Stats (2025)

  • Grades: 7-8
  • Enrollment: 1,127 students
  • Student:Teacher Ratio: 19:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 34%
  • : Top 50%
  • : 42% (Top 50%)
  • : 50% (Top 30%)
  • : 44% (Top 20%)
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), AZ Dept. of Education

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