Dobson Academy The - A Ball Charter School
Dobson Academy The - A Ball Charter School serves 426 students in grades Kindergarten-8.
Dobson Academy The - A Ball Charter School placed in the top 50% of all schools in Arizona for overall test scores (math proficiency is top 50%, and reading proficiency is top 30%) for the 2018-19 school year.
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 44% (which is lower than the Arizona state average of 45%) for the 2018-19 school year. The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 53% (which is higher than the Arizona state average of 45%) for the 2018-19 school year.
Minority enrollment is 54% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is lower than the Arizona state average of 62% (majority Hispanic).
Top Rankings
Dobson Academy The - A Ball Charter School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Arizona for:
Category
Attribute
Diversity
School Overview
Dobson Academy The - A Ball Charter School's student population of 426 students has declined by 10% over five school years.
School Type
Grades Offered
Grades Kindergarten-8
(offers virtual instruction)
(offers virtual instruction)
Total Students
426 students

Gender %

Total Classroom Teachers
n/a
Students by Grade

School Calendar
School Rankings
Dobson Academy The - A Ball Charter School is ranked within the top 50% of all 2,120 schools in Arizona (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2018-19 school year.
The diversity score of Dobson Academy The - A Ball Charter School is 0.71, which is more than the diversity score at state average of 0.65. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#868 out of 2120 schools
(Top 50%)
(Top 50%)

Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
44%
45%

Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
53%
45%

Student : Teacher Ratio
n/a
18:1
American Indian
4%
6%

Asian
3%
3%

Hispanic
26%
45%

Black
11%
5%

White
46%
38%

Hawaiian
2%
n/a
Two or more races
8%
3%

All Ethnic Groups



Eligible for Free Lunch
30%
45%

Eligible for Reduced Lunch
9%
7%

School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Source: 2017-2018 (latest school year available) NCES, AZ Dept. of Education
School Reviews
5 3/15/2022
Both my children have attended Dobson K-8th. My son has done great in high school. Both of our kids have learned both academic and social values through the teachers, staff, and administration. Dobson has the advantages of smaller class sizes, a close community, and access to extracurricular activities.
5 2/21/2019
School has been fantastic from day 1! My daughter started in 2011 and have never considered going anywhere else. She has excelled in her academics. We have had a couple of road bumps in the time she has spent there, but overall she has done great! Students seem to really know each other around campus. A lot of that is the great aftercare program along with before school care programs. Sports can also mix grade levels, so they get to know each other there. They offer Flag Football, Girls and Boy''s Basketball, Cross Country, Soccer, and Girl''s Softball. (Currently ranked #1 in the state as well in softball.) Most sports children can begin play in fourth grade. Sometimes they may have to compete with the Junior High for spots on the team. Flag Football and Boy''s Basketball are both offered in the elementary level on there own currently. The other sports are only offered through Junior High currently.
5 11/2/2018
We have been at Dobson Academy since 2015. We moved to AZ from a state with very highly rated public school districts. I can`t speak to what Dobson was like during the time of the negative reviews above, but I can say that our experience has been nothing but positive and the closest thing to what we had in our prior school district. Dobson Academy is a free K-8 public charter school with a private school feel that provides a well-rounded curriculum, including art, music and athletics. Our children have thrived here and have consistently performed above grade level.
2 9/9/2014
This review is about the Junior High. I have no issues with the elementary school. The Junior High is a toxic social environment for any child that is not one of the handful of teachers' favorites. Junior High is cliquish enough without the teachers absolutely encouraging and fostering this behavior. They seem to segregate kids into their favorites, and everyone else, and encourage this elitist attitude. The teachers seem juvenile, and perhaps are still living out their school age fantasies of being the popular kid. It is really sad.
2 1/28/2010
Very poor. This school is lacking in several key areas. Fine arts is floundering. Band is nonexistent. Priority is given to sports. In terms of academics: beware. They attempt a vestige of strong programs, but in reality spend precious little time making sure that students actually learn. Heaven protect those who need additional help. They have no accommodations with students in extenuating circumstances. Teachers suffer from an elitist attitude but do not actually concern themselves with productive teaching methods or making certain that children understand and can apply their work. In other words, no one wants to be bothered to go out of their way for a child. A lot of bravado from a staff who meets the outside minimum requirements in educational credentials. I see a deplorable lack of the spirit and motivation necessary for truly great teaching. The school is trying so hard to follow in the paths of an "Academy" that they fail miserably. Perhaps they need consider putting the needs of the child ahead of those of the "program".
Review Dobson Academy The - A Ball Charter School. Reviews should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:
- Quality of academic programs, teachers, and facilities
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