Willie & Coy Payne Jr. High

www.cusd80.com/PJHS

1,171 Students

Middle School 7th - 8th

School Overview

Willie & Coy Payne Jr. High, located in Queen Creek, Arizona, is a prominent middle school within the Chandler Unified School District. Serving students in grades 7 and 8, the school is well-regarded for maintaining high academic standards and fostering a supportive, structured environment. It places a strong emphasis on preparing students for the transition to high school by offering a comprehensive curriculum that balances core academic subjects—such as English, mathematics, science, and social studies—with a variety of elective opportunities designed to engage diverse student interests.

Beyond the classroom, Payne Jr. High is known for its vibrant campus culture, which encourages student participation in athletics, arts, and extracurricular clubs. The school prides itself on community involvement and effective communication between faculty, parents, and students, aiming to create a collaborative educational experience. By prioritizing both character development and academic excellence, Payne Jr. High seeks to cultivate a well-rounded student body equipped with the critical thinking and interpersonal skills necessary for future success.

1,171

Total Students

58.8

Full-Time Teachers

19.9

Student/Teacher Ratio

N/A

Free/Reduced Lunch

Student Demographics

Student Demographics Data Table

Student Demographics for Willie & Coy Payne Jr. High
Demographic	Student Count
White	791
Hispanic	220
Black	38
Asian	37
Two or More	73
American Indian	11
Pacific Islander	1

White
791 (67.5%)
Hispanic
220 (18.8%)
Two or More
73 (6.2%)
Black
38 (3.2%)
Asian
37 (3.2%)
American Indian
11 (0.9%)
Pacific Islander
1 (0.1%)

School Location

School Details

Status:	Open
School Level:	Middle School
School Type:	Regular School
Charter Status:*	Public Non-Charter
Virtual Instruction:	No virtual instruction
Shared Time Status:	No
District:	Chandler Unified District #80 (4242)
Phone:	(480)224-2400
Website:	http://www.cusd80.com/PJHS
Grade Range:	7th - 8th
Total Students:	1,171
Full-Time Teachers (FTE):	58.8
Pupil/Teacher Ratio:	19.9
NSLP Participation:¹	Yes participating without using any Provision or the CEO
Qualified Free Lunch:	0
Qualified Reduced Lunch:	0

* Charter Schools: A public charter school is a publicly funded school that operates independently under a legislative contract (or "charter") with a state, school district, or designated authorizing entity. Charters grant these schools greater operational flexibility over curriculum, staffing, and budgeting in exchange for strict accountability to achieve performance standards established in their charter agreement.

¹ National School Lunch Program (NSLP): The National School Lunch Program is a federally assisted meal program operating in public and nonprofit private schools. It provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches to eligible children each school day based on household income thresholds or community eligibility options (CEO).

Title I Program Overview: Title I, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) allocates federal financial assistance to local educational agencies and public schools with high percentages of children from low-income families to help ensure that all children meet challenging state academic standards.

Grades Taught

Grade 7 586

Grade 8 585