Excellent
#21 of 2,006 schools in AZ
Top 1% 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
9.4
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
470
Student-Teacher
12.7:1
Score
9.4
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Arizona schools
#21 of 2,006
In Scottsdale
#4 of 46
public schools
In district
#4 of 30
Scottsdale Unified District (4240)
Academic performance
9.7 / 10
Excellent
Shortlisting around Desert Canyon Elementary?
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Desert Canyon Elementary
Elementary School in Scottsdale · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Desert Canyon Middle School
0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Notre Dame Preparatory
1.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Desert Canyon Elementary
Desert Canyon Elementary is a public elementary school in Scottsdale, AZ, part of Scottsdale Unified District (4240). Desert Canyon Elementary serves approximately 470 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 12.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Desert Canyon Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 9.4 out of 10 and ranks #21 of 2,006 schools in AZ.
Structured state assessment records for Desert Canyon Elementary show 82% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 84% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 9.4 · Excellent
- District avg 8.4
- AZ avg 6.4
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Desert Canyon Elementary — Students at Desert Canyon Elementary score 75% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 48%).
Test Scores AZ EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 28 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: 9.1/10.
How Desert Canyon Elementary Compares
See how Desert Canyon Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
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. Redfield Elementary School (rated 9.4/10, 1.6 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Cheyenne Traditional School (rated 9.1/10, 1.2 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Anasazi Elementary (rated 9.1/10, 3.5 miles away), with a comparable 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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Great Hearts Academies - Archway Arete Phoenix, AZ | 9.4 |
| Great Hearts Academies - Archway Glendale Phoenix, AZ | 9.4 |
| Pueblo Elementary School Scottsdale, AZ | 9.4 |
| Redfield Elementary School Scottsdale, AZ | 9.4 |
| Sequoya Elementary School Scottsdale, AZ | 9.4 |
| BASIS Scottsdale Primary - East Campus Scottsdale, AZ | 9.3 |
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 ranks #21 of 2,006 schools in AZ.
What is Desert Canyon Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Desert Canyon Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 9.4 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 Desert Canyon Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Desert Canyon Elementary has 82% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 84% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
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
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 21.3%
- Phone
- (480) 484-1700
Resources & Links
District
Scottsdale Unified District (4240)- District Enrollment
- 20,940
- Schools in District
- 30
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,306
- District Rank
- #4 of 30
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