- Zaharis Elementary — 18.0 mi · Grades PK–6 · 721 students
- K-8 STEM Academy at Red Mountain Ranch — 18.2 mi · Grades PK–8 · 473 students
- Las Sendas Elementary School — 18.5 mi · Grades PK–6 · 645 students
- Sousa Elementary School — 18.9 mi · Grades PK–6 · 344 students
- Smith Junior High School — 19.2 mi · Grades 7–8 · 707 students
- Taft Elementary School — 19.6 mi · Grades PK–6 · 491 students
- Falcon Hill Elementary School — 19.8 mi · Grades PK–6 · 544 students
- Red Mountain High School — 20.5 mi · Grades 9–12 · 3,379 students
| Metric | Mesa Unified District | National Average | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Enrollment | — | 3,700 | Data not available |
| Number of Schools | 78 | 6 | Varies by district |
| Per-Pupil Spending | $12,066/yr | $17,619/yr | ↓ 32% below avg |
| District Type | — | Public District | — |
| Overall Rating | Not rated | — | Near average |
About Mesa Unified District
Mesa Unified District is the public school district assigned to zip code 85264 in Fort Mcdowell, Arizona. Serving students from Pre-K–12th, this district is the primary public education system for families living in and around zip code 85264. 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
SchoolDistrictFinder rates Mesa Unified District 6 out of 10 — average among Arizona public school districts. 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 85264
Children in zip code 85264 are assigned to Mesa Unified District for public school enrollment, covering grades Pre-K–12th. School assignments are address-specific — your elementary, middle, and high school placements depend on your exact street address within zip code 85264, 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 the number listed on the district website or visit the district’s official website. Typical enrollment documents include a signed lease or mortgage statement, birth certificate, state-required immunization documentation, and recent report cards or transcripts. 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 Fort Mcdowell
Research consistently shows that district assignment affects residential property values. Because Mesa Unified District serves zip code 85264, buyers should factor school district quality into their overall evaluation of homes in zip code 85264. 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 85264.
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 and phone numbers are updated annually when NCES publishes new data, typically in spring; per-pupil spending comes from the US Census Bureau's Annual Survey of School System Finances, released about two years after the fiscal year it covers. 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 85264 data.