Serving 875 students in grades 7-8, South Valley Jr. High School ranks in the top 20% of all schools in Arizona for overall test scores (math proficiency is top 20%, and reading proficiency is top 20%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 57% (which is higher than the Arizona state average of 34%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 58% (which is higher than the Arizona state average of 40%).
The student-teacher ratio of 20:1 is higher than the Arizona state level of 17:1.
Minority enrollment is 43% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is lower than the Arizona state average of 67% (majority Hispanic).
Quick Facts (26-27)
- Grades: 7-8
- Enrollment: 875 students
- Student-Teacher Ratio: 20:1
- Minority Enrollment: 43%
- Overall Testing Rank: Top 20% in AZ
- Math Proficiency: 57% (Top 20%)
- Reading Proficiency: 58% (Top 20%)
- Science Proficiency: 42% (Top 20%)
- Attendance Zone: South Valley Jr. High serves the southwest area of Gilbert, AZ, covering approximately 11.9 square miles. Families in this zone typically have a drive of 5-10 minutes to the school, with the furthest edge being about 3.2 miles away.
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), AZ Dept. of Education
School News
- Passion, Participation, and Pursuing Excellence: SVJH Sports Performance Academy - 10/20/2026Our staff is proud to provide a safe and nurturing environment, rich with rigorous experiences that engage, empower, and inspire students to higher levels of personal and academic excellence. Our ...moreSports Performance Academy (SPA) is just one program that creates an environment where students can achieve this excellence. hide
- Summer Projects: South Valley Junior High School Wide Flooring Update - 08/17/2026Empowering Sabercats to reach higher levels of excellence takes our entire school community. Over the summer break, the GPS Operations team completed full flooring updates across South Valley Junior High, ...moreour hallways and learning spaces, while ensuring our school remains a safe, welcoming, and inspiring place for students to learn and grow. hide
- The Sabercat’s Back-to-School Guide for South Valley Junior High - 07/21/2026The first day of school is Tuesday, July 28. Start the school year strong with the Sabercat's BacktoSchool Guide, which includes important tools and resources that will help you make ...moreit the best year yet. hide
- In the News: SVJHS Student Honored for Helping an Elderly Woman in 100+ Degree Heat - 07/17/2026South Valley Sabercat, Royal Cothrun, was recognized by the Gilbert Fire Department and the Air National Guard after he stopped to help an elderly woman with dementia who had wandered ...moremiles from home in extreme heat. Royal was featured in ABC15's Uplifting Arizona. Watch the segment by ABC15's Cameron Polom. hide
Top Rankings
South Valley Jr. High School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Arizona for:
Category
Attribute
Overall Rank
Math Proficiency
Reading/Language Arts Proficiency
Science Proficiency
School Overview
South Valley Jr. High School's student population of 875 students has grown by 18% over five school years.
The teacher population of 43 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades 7-8
(No virtual instruction)
(No virtual instruction)
Total Students
875 students
Showing 2015–2025. Full 21-year historical data available below ↓
Total Classroom Teachers
43 teachers
Showing 2015–2025. Full 21-year historical data available below ↓
School Calendar
Last Day of School
Thu. May 27, 2027
School Rankings
South Valley Jr. High School ranks within the top 20% of all 1,921 schools in Arizona (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of South Valley Jr. High School is 0.60, 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.
Overall Testing Rank
#260 out of 1921 schools
(Top 20%)
(Top 20%)
Showing 2013–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
57%
34%
Showing 2013–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
58%
40%
Showing 2012–2022. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
42%
24%
Student-Teacher Ratio
20:1
17:1
Showing 2015–2025. Full 21-year historical data available below ↓
American Indian
1%
5%
Showing 2015–2025. Full 21-year historical data available below ↓
Asian
3%
3%
Showing 2015–2025. Full 21-year historical data available below ↓
Hispanic
26%
49%
Showing 2015–2025. Full 21-year historical data available below ↓
Black
5%
6%
Showing 2015–2025. Full 21-year historical data available below ↓
White
57%
33%
Showing 2015–2025. Full 21-year historical data available below ↓
Two or more races
8%
4%
Showing 2015–2025. Full 15-year historical data available below ↓
All Ethnic Groups
Showing 2015–2025. Full 21-year historical data available below ↓
Chronically Absent Students
(22-23)30.6%
41.2%
Eligible for Free Lunch
18%
41%
Showing 2015–2025. Full 21-year historical data available below ↓
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
6%
10%
Showing 2011–2025. Full 21-year historical data available below ↓
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Sports
Colors
Red and Black
School Mascot
Sabercat
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), AZ Dept. of Education
School Notes
- We provide a safe and nurturing environment, rich with rigorous educational experiences that engage, empower and inspire students to higher levels of personal and academic excellence.
- South Valley is proud to be 'A' rated by the Arizona Department of Education. We are committed to academic excellence, community engagement, innovation, and diversity, and this is reflected in our initiatives, achievements and high academic success. We create an environment that encourages critical thinking, creativity, and a sense of belonging in our students.
- We're proud to host the Sports Performance Academy.Sports Performance Academy is a half day program from 7:30AM - 12:35PM daily.Our Sports Performance Academy students have access to the full junior high experience, both academically and socially, attending class with their peers in the morning, taught by certified, highly qualified GPS teachers.Students thenattend a training or performing arts facility of their choice in the afternoon with transportation available to some local facilities.
Profile last updated:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is South Valley Jr. High School's ranking?
South Valley Jr. High School is ranked #260 out of 1,921 schools, which ranks it among the top 20% of public schools in Arizona.
What schools are South Valley Jr. High School often compared to?
South Valley Jr. High Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Greenfield Junior High School, Mesquite Jr High School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
57% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 34% AZ state average), while 58% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 40% AZ state average).
How many students attend South Valley Jr. High School?
875 students attend South Valley Jr. High School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
57% of South Valley Jr. High School students are White, 26% of students are Hispanic, 8% of students are Two or more races, 5% of students are Black, 3% of students are Asian, and 1% of students are American Indian.
What is the student-teacher ratio of South Valley Jr. High School?
South Valley Jr. High School has a student ration of 20:1, which is higher than the Arizona state average of 17:1.
What grades does South Valley Jr. High School offer ?
South Valley Jr. High School offers enrollment in grades 7-8 (No virtual instruction).
What school district is South Valley Jr. High School part of?
South Valley Jr. High School is part of Gilbert Unified District (4239).
School Reviews
2 10/10/2025
This school is like a prison. Don't get caught up on their great test scores, because this doesn't define a school. Ask the students how they feel. It is a literal prison, and it destroyed my mental health and self confidence.
Review South Valley Jr. High School. Reviews should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:
- Quality of academic programs, teachers, and facilities
- Availability of music, art, sports and other extracurricular activities
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