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Average

#1602 of 2,000 schools in AZ

Arizona Desert Elementary School

Elementary School · Gadsden Elementary District (4505)

PO BOX 6870, San Luis, AZ 85349

Enrollment

651

Student-Teacher

27.1:1

Score

5.0

Grades

Kindergarten – 6th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In San Luis

#8 of 9

public schools

Arizona elementary schools

#942 of 1,216

In district

#8 of 9

Gadsden Elementary District (4505)

About Arizona Desert Elementary School

Arizona Desert Elementary School is a regular public elementary school located in the town of San Luis, Arizona. Serving kindergarten through sixth grade, the school has an enrollment of 651 students, with a student-teacher ratio of 27.1:1. There are 24 full-time equivalent teachers at the school, providing support and instruction to a diverse student body.

Academically, Arizona Desert Elementary School has a MySchoolScout rating of 4.2 out of 10, placing it in the 26th percentile among Arizona schools. The school's ELA and reading proficiency rates stand at 24% and math proficiency at 27%, indicating areas where the school is focusing on student development and improvement. The setting of the school is in a town that is part of the Yuma County area, characterized by a median household income of $46,801 and a median home value of $167,100.

The community is also home to a poverty rate of 23.2%, highlighting the need for support and resources to help students succeed. Arizona Desert Elementary School is nestled in a town that is part of the larger San Luis community, offering a close-knit environment for students to learn and grow.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Arizona Desert Elementary School is 27.1:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.8Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-4.22 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics6.3Above Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency27%
Reading/ELA Proficiency24%
Overall Proficiency26%
Expected (poverty-adj.)25%
vs. Expected+0.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile47th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment3.4Fair20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio27.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,085

Arizona Desert Elementary School — Students at Arizona Desert Elementary School score 26% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 25%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

0.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores AZ EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 28.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 24.3%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from AZ state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
42%
ELA
31%
2021*
Math
15%
ELA
18%
2022
Math
27%
ELA
24%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 4.8/10.

How Arizona Desert Elementary School Compares

See how Arizona Desert Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.0/10
20th percentile in AZ
Academic
6.3/10
6.3/10
Growth
4.8/10
Below average
Environment
3.4/10
Below average

Location

PO BOX 6870, San Luis, AZ 85349

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Arizona Desert Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Desert Sonora Elementary School (rated 7.7/10, 7.8 miles away, in nearby Somerton), which scores notably higher. Another option is Gadsden Elementary School (rated 6.9/10, 3.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Orange Grove Elementary School (rated 6.9/10, 9.4 miles away, in nearby Somerton), which scores notably higher. For more schools in San Luis, see our San Luis schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 9.4 mi
School Distance Rating
San Luis Middle School San Luis 0.2 mi 6.5
Rio Colorado Elementary School San Luis 0.2 mi 6.2
San Luis Pre-School San Luis 0.2 mi 5.5
PPEP TEC - Cesar Chavez Learning Center Tucson 0.3 mi 4.8
Ed Pastor Elementary 4 San Luis 0.8 mi 6.6
San Luis High School San Luis 1.1 mi 5.5
STEDY- San Luis HS Satellite Yuma 1.1 mi
Southwest Jr. High School San Luis 1.3 mi 7.0
Cesar Chavez Elementary San Luis 1.6 mi 4.3
Desert View Elementary San Luis 1.6 mi 5.8
Harvest Preparatory Academy San Luis AZ Yuma 1.7 mi 4.3
Gadsden Elementary School San Luis 3.8 mi 6.9
Sun Valley Elementary School Somerton 3.8 mi 6.2
Bravie T. Soto Elementary School Somerton 7.5 mi 6.2
Tierra Del Sol Elementary School Somerton 7.4 mi 4.8
Encanto Learning Center Somerton 7.8 mi 6.7
Desert Sonora Elementary School Somerton 7.8 mi 7.7
PPEP TEC - Jose Yepez Learning Center Tucson 8.0 mi 6.1
Somerton Middle School Somerton 8.3 mi 6.6
Orange Grove Elementary School Somerton 9.4 mi 6.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 85349 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$55,717

Median Home Value

$196,800

Median Rent

$698/mo

Population

28,810

College Educated

7.9%

Homeownership

71.8%

Avg Commute

28.3 min

Poverty Rate

20.7%

Median Age

33.7

Community Profile

The community surrounding Arizona Desert Elementary School has a median household income of $55,717. It is a community where 8% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $196,800, with a median rent of $698/month. The area has a poverty rate of 20.7%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 28 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Cactus Wren Elementary School Phoenix, AZ 5.0
Carol G. Peck Elementary School Glendale, AZ 5.0
Desert Horizon Elementary School Phoenix, AZ 5.0
Irving Elementary School Mesa, AZ 5.0
Pioneer Technology & Arts Academy of Arizona Phoenix, AZ 5.0
Saguaro Elementary School Casa Grande, AZ 5.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Arizona Desert Elementary School

What grades does Arizona Desert Elementary School serve?

Arizona Desert Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.

How many students attend Arizona Desert Elementary School?

Arizona Desert Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 651 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Arizona Desert Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Arizona Desert Elementary School is 27.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Arizona Desert Elementary School rank in AZ?

Arizona Desert Elementary School is ranked #1602 out of 2,000 schools in AZ.

What is Arizona Desert Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Arizona Desert Elementary School has a composite rating of 5.0 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Arizona Desert Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Arizona Desert Elementary School has 28.0% math proficiency and 24.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Arizona Desert Elementary School a charter school?

No, Arizona Desert Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Arizona Desert Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Arizona Desert Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
Average (639/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (San Luis). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
651
Student-Teacher Ratio
27.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
24
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Town
County
Yuma County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Gadsden Elementary District (4505)
District Enrollment
5,170
Schools in District
9
Per-Pupil Spending
$10,364
District Rank
#8 of 9

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

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