Excellent
#143 of 2,000 schools in AZ
Top 7% in state
Desert Canyon Elementary
Elementary School · Scottsdale Unified District (4240)
10203 E MCDOWELL MOUNTAIN RANC, Scottsdale, AZ 85255
Enrollment
470
Student-Teacher
12.7:1
Score
8.3
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
470
Student-Teacher
12.7:1
Score
8.3
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Scottsdale
#11 of 41
public schools
Arizona elementary schools
#114 of 1,216
In district
#11 of 30
Scottsdale Unified District (4240)
Academic performance
9.7 / 10
Exceptional
About Desert Canyon Elementary
Desert Canyon Elementary is a public elementary school in Scottsdale, AZ, part of the Scottsdale Unified District (4240). The school serves approximately 470 students in grades Pre-K – 5th with a student-teacher ratio of 12.7:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.3/10, placing it in the 92.9th percentile among AZ schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 76% proficiency in math and 76% in reading/language arts. The school scores particularly well in school environment (8.9/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $143,567, where 68% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a midsize city setting.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
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Desert Canyon Elementary — Students at Desert Canyon Elementary score 75% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 48%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
0.1%
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: 7.2/10.
How Desert Canyon Elementary Compares
See how Desert Canyon Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 82% (2019) to 73% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 80% (2019) to 77% (2022).
Location
10203 E MCDOWELL MOUNTAIN RANC, Scottsdale, AZ 85255
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Desert Canyon Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. SCOTTSDALE CHILD CARE AND LEARNING CENTER (rated 9.0/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Redfield Elementary School (rated 8.9/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Cheyenne Traditional School (rated 8.3/10, 1.2 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Scottsdale, see our Scottsdale schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.7 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 85255 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$143,567
Median Home Value
$975,300
Median Rent
$2,401/mo
Population
45,136
College Educated
67.8%
Homeownership
73.1%
Avg Commute
23.4 min
Poverty Rate
6.4%
Median Age
51.4
Community Profile
The community surrounding Desert Canyon Elementary has a median household income of $143,567. It is a well-educated community where 68% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $975,300, with a median rent of $2,401/month. The local poverty rate of 6.4% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 23 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 |
|---|---|
| Bonillas Elementary Basic Curriculum Magnet School Tucson, AZ | 8.3 |
| Camp Mohave Elementary School Fort Mohave, AZ | 8.3 |
| Great Hearts Academies - Archway Glendale Phoenix, AZ | 8.3 |
| Lineweaver Elementary School Tucson, AZ | 8.3 |
| Taylor Hicks School Prescott, AZ | 8.3 |
| Van Buskirk Elementary School Tucson, AZ | 8.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Desert Canyon Elementary
What grades does Desert Canyon Elementary serve?
Desert Canyon Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Desert Canyon Elementary?
Desert Canyon Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 470 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Desert Canyon Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Desert Canyon Elementary is 12.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Desert Canyon Elementary rank in AZ?
Desert Canyon Elementary is ranked #143 out of 2,000 schools in AZ.
What is Desert Canyon Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Desert Canyon Elementary has a composite rating of 8.3 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 Desert Canyon Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Desert Canyon Elementary has 75.7% math proficiency and 76.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Desert Canyon Elementary a charter school?
No, Desert Canyon Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Desert Canyon Elementary a Title I school?
No, Desert Canyon Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
Neighborhood Context
- Walk Score
- 40 Car-Dependent
- Transit Score
- 0 Minimal Transit
- Bike Score
- 52 Bikeable
- City Safety
- High (2,031/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Scottsdale). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 470
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 37
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Maricopa County
- Phone
- (480) 484-1700
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Scottsdale Unified District (4240)- District Enrollment
- 20,940
- Schools in District
- 30
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,306
- District Rank
- #11 of 30
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
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