Below Average
#1654 of 2,000 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
4.9
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
776
Student-Teacher
20.4:1
Score
4.9
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Tolleson
#11 of 13
public schools
Arizona elementary schools
#969 of 1,216
In district
#4 of 4
Tolleson Elementary District (4264)
About Arizona Desert Elementary School
Arizona Desert Elementary School serves about 776 students in grades pre-kindergarten through eighth grade in Tolleson, a large suburban area of Maricopa County. The school operates as a regular public school with 38 full-time equivalent teachers, creating a student-teacher ratio of 20.4 to 1. Academically, Arizona Desert Elementary is working toward stronger performance.
The school's MySchoolScout Rating is 4.3 out of 10, and it ranks at the 28th percentile among Arizona schools. On state assessments, the school shows room for academic growth, with 34 percent of students scoring proficient or above in English Language Arts and Reading, and 30 percent proficient or above in Mathematics across all grade levels. The school's location on West Van Buren Street places it in Tolleson's suburban setting, serving families throughout the community.
With a substantial enrollment spanning from pre-K through middle school, Arizona Desert Elementary offers a comprehensive educational experience for students moving through their early and middle elementary years.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Arizona Desert Elementary School is 20.4:1, 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
Arizona Desert Elementary School — Students at Arizona Desert Elementary School score 30% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 31%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
0.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores AZ EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 test records from AZ state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 3.5/10.
How Arizona Desert Elementary School Compares
See how Arizona Desert Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 47% (2019) to 27% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 42% (2019) to 33% (2022).
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. Desert Oasis Elementary School (rated 7.5/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Porfirio H. Gonzales Elementary School (rated 6.5/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Arts Academy at Estrella Mountain (rated 6.3/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. 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 | 6.5 |
| University High School Tolleson | 0.8 mi | 8.5 |
| West-MEC - Tolleson Union High School Glendale | 0.8 mi | — |
| Tolleson Union High School Tolleson | 0.8 mi | 5.1 |
| Desert Oasis Elementary School Tolleson | 1.1 mi | 7.5 |
| Dos Rios Elementary Tolleson | 1.5 mi | 4.5 |
| Sun Canyon School Phoenix | 1.5 mi | 4.2 |
| Arts Academy at Estrella Mountain Tolleson | 1.8 mi | 6.3 |
| Sheely Farms Elementary School Phoenix | 1.8 mi | 5.4 |
| Amberlea Elementary School Phoenix | 1.9 mi | 6.0 |
| Pan-American Charter School Phoenix | 2.1 mi | 2.9 |
| Manuel Pena Jr. School Phoenix | 2.1 mi | 5.2 |
| Raul H. Castro Middle School: Academy of Fine Arts Phoenix | 2.3 mi | 5.2 |
| Midtown High School Phoenix | 2.2 mi | — |
| Precision Academy Phoenix | 2.2 mi | 6.2 |
| Hope High School Phoenix | 2.3 mi | 4.9 |
| Desert Horizon Elementary School Phoenix | 2.5 mi | 5.0 |
| Rio Vista Elementary Avondale | 2.3 mi | 4.8 |
| Hurley Ranch Elementary Tolleson | 2.6 mi | 6.7 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Arizona Desert Elementary School has a median household income of $88,867. It is a community where 14% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $344,600, with a median rent of $1,626/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.6%. The average commute for residents is 29 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 |
|---|---|
| Adams Elementary School Mesa, AZ | 4.9 |
| Benson Primary School Benson, AZ | 4.9 |
| Brinton Elementary Mesa, AZ | 4.9 |
| Ellsworth Elementary School Queen Creek, AZ | 4.9 |
| Horizon Honors Elementary School Phoenix, AZ | 4.9 |
| James W. Rice Elementary School Phoenix, AZ | 4.9 |
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 is ranked #1654 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 4.9 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 30.3% math proficiency and 34.0% 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.
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (10,167/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Tolleson). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (623) 907-5260
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Tolleson Elementary District (4264)- District Enrollment
- 2,833
- Schools in District
- 5
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,827
- District Rank
- #4 of 4
Other Schools in This District
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 methodologyRelated reading
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.