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#1136 of 2,006 schools in AZ

Arizona Desert Elementary School

Elementary School · Tolleson Elementary District (4264)

8803 W VAN BUREN ST, Tolleson, AZ 85353

Enrollment

776

Student-Teacher

20.4:1

Score

6.0

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Arizona schools

#1,136 of 2,006

In Tolleson

#5 of 13

public schools

In district

#1 of 4

Tolleson Elementary District (4264)

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Arizona Desert Elementary School

6.0/10

Elementary School in Tolleson · grades Pre-K – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Tolleson Virtual Academy

Nearby

0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Porfirio H. Gonzales Elementary School

5.3/10

0.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Arizona Desert Elementary School

Arizona Desert Elementary School is a public elementary school in Tolleson, AZ, part of Tolleson Elementary District (4264). Arizona Desert Elementary School serves approximately 776 students, and covers grades Pre-K-8th, and has a 20.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Arizona Desert Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.0 out of 10 and ranks #1,136 of 2,006 schools in AZ.

Structured state assessment records for Arizona Desert Elementary School show 45% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 48% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares1.1 pts above district
  • This school 6.0 · Average
  • District avg 4.9
  • AZ avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

Arizona Desert Elementary School runs 20.4:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.

43% of students at Arizona Desert Elementary School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress5.8Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-3.32 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics6.6Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency27% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency33% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency30% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)31% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-0.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile51th
Resources & Environment5.8Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio20.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,827
Chronic Absenteeism42.9%

Arizona Desert Elementary School — Students at Arizona Desert Elementary School score 30% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 31%).

How we calculate scores →

Test Scores AZ EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 44.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 47.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 28 test records from AZ state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
50%
ELA
64%
2010
Math
63%
ELA
71%
2011
Math
71%
ELA
76%
2012
Math
65%
ELA
74%
2013
Math
66%
ELA
81%
2014
Math
37%
ELA
25%
2015
Math
37%
ELA
29%
2016
Math
39%
ELA
39%
2017
Math
45%
ELA
38%
2018
Math
47%
ELA
42%
2019
Math
47%
ELA
42%
2020*
Math
17%
ELA
27%
2021*
Math
17%
ELA
27%
2022
Math
27%
ELA
33%

* 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: 5.8/10.

How Arizona Desert Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
6.0/10
43th percentile in AZ
Academic
6.6/10
Average
Growth
5.8/10
Average
Environment
5.8/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Teaching Staff
20:1 student-teacher ratio
38 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
42.9%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

8803 W VAN BUREN ST, Tolleson, AZ 85353

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Arizona Desert Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Sun Canyon School (rated 6.5/10, 1.5 miles away, in nearby Phoenix), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Porfirio H. Gonzales Elementary School (rated 5.3/10, 0.8 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Dos Rios Elementary (rated 5.3/10, 1.5 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Tolleson, see our Tolleson schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Tolleson Virtual Academy Tolleson 0.5 mi
Porfirio H. Gonzales Elementary School Tolleson 0.8 mi 5.3
University High School Tolleson 0.8 mi 8.8
West-MEC - Tolleson Union High School Glendale 0.8 mi
Tolleson Union High School Tolleson 0.8 mi 5.0
Desert Oasis Elementary School Tolleson 1.1 mi 4.4
Dos Rios Elementary Tolleson 1.5 mi 5.3
Sun Canyon School Phoenix 1.5 mi 6.5
Arts Academy at Estrella Mountain Tolleson 1.8 mi 3.4
Sheely Farms Elementary School Phoenix 1.8 mi 3.9
Amberlea Elementary School Phoenix 1.9 mi 4.4
Pan-American Charter School Phoenix 2.1 mi 3.9
Manuel Pena Jr. School Phoenix 2.1 mi 4.0
Raul H. Castro Middle School: Academy of Fine Arts Phoenix 2.3 mi 2.8
Midtown High School Phoenix 2.2 mi
Precision Academy Phoenix 2.2 mi 3.2
Hope High School Phoenix 2.3 mi 4.0
Desert Horizon Elementary School Phoenix 2.5 mi 2.9
Rio Vista Elementary Avondale 2.3 mi 4.1
Hurley Ranch Elementary Tolleson 2.6 mi 4.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 85353 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$88,867

Median Home Value

$344,600

Median Rent

$1,626/mo

Population

44,995

College Educated

13.8%

Homeownership

69.7%

Avg Commute

28.8 min

Poverty Rate

11.6%

Median Age

28.8

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Desert Valley School Bullhead City, AZ 6.0
Julia Randall Elementary School Payson, AZ 6.0
San Tan Heights Elementary San Tan Valley, AZ 6.0
Smoketree Elementary School Lake Havasu City, AZ 6.0
Sunset Vista Glendale, AZ 6.0
Barbara B. Robey Elementary School Litchfield Park, AZ 5.9

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 Pre-K through 8th.

How many students attend Arizona Desert Elementary School?

Arizona Desert Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 776 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Arizona Desert Elementary School is 20.4:1. 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 ranks #1,136 of 2,006 schools in AZ.

What is Arizona Desert Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Arizona Desert Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.0 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Arizona Desert Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Arizona Desert Elementary School has 45% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 48% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

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

Walk Score
51 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
42 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
776
Student-Teacher Ratio
20.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
38
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Maricopa County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
42.9%

District

Tolleson Elementary District (4264)
District Enrollment
2,833
Schools in District
5
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,827
District Rank
#1 of 4

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