Excellent
#268 of 2,006 schools in AZ
Top 13% in state
Desert Canyon Middle School
Middle School · Scottsdale Unified District (4240) · Scottsdale, AZ
A Scottsdale Unified District (4240) middle school where students score 8 points above what's typical for similar communities.
10203 E MCDOWELL MTN RANCH RD, Scottsdale, AZ 85255
- Math 56% proficient (2022)
- Reading 56% proficient (2022)
- 17.1:1 student-teacher ratio
Academics
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Students at Desert Canyon Middle School score 56% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 48%).
2022 EdFacts proficiency
Most recent published year. School vs. AZ average.
Trend
↓ DecliningProficiency has fallen 10 points since 2019, to 56% in 2022, across a 14-year record (2009–2022).
Show all 14 years
Multi-year averages used by the rating model: math 65% (multi-year average, 2009-2022) · reading/ELA 69% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Based on 28 test records from AZ state assessments and EdFacts (NCES).
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateThe neighborhood
Where Desert Canyon Middle School sits, and what the surrounding area looks like.
Nearby same-level schools are colored by their score. Pins are locations, not attendance boundaries. Open the Phoenix map →
Getting around & local context
- Walk 37Car-Dependent
- Transit 0Minimal Transit
- Bike 54Bikeable
- City Safety: High2,031/100K
Powered by
FBI Uniform Crime Reporting · 2024 · city context (Scottsdale), not school-level safety or attendance eligibility. Source details
Source period: 2024. Freshness not available.
Area profileU.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates (ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates)
Median income
$143,567
Median home value
$975,300
Median rent
$2,401/mo
College educated
67.8%
Homeownership
73.1%
Poverty rate
6.4%
ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates for the ZCTA associated with school ZIP 85255; this is area context, not an attendance boundary.
Programs & students
Programs & Offerings
Compare nearby
Nearby same-level schools
4 from a 5-mile search; district fallback available
| School | Score | Grades | Distance | Enrollment | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Great Hearts Academies - Archway ScottsdaleCharter · enrollment unverified | 7.4 | K–12 | 1.2 mi | 1,072 | Compare → |
| Mission Montessori Academy's Middle Years ProgramCharter · enrollment unverified | 7.7 | 4–8 | 2.8 mi | 49 | Compare → |
| The United School of AutismPrivate · tuition | 6.7private | 1–11 | 3.1 mi | 71 | Compare → |
| Sierra Academy of ScottsdalePrivate · tuition | 6.2private | 2–12 | 4.1 mi | 41 | Compare → |
Distance is proximity only; it is not attendance eligibility.
Charter · enrollment unverified: Potential charter option; enrollment requirements have not been verified.
Private · tuition: Potential private option; tuition and admission requirements have not been verified.
Public and private scores come from different models and are shown side by side, not blended into one ranking.
Scottsdale Unified District (4240)
- Schools in district
- 30
- Rank in district
- #13 of 30
- District spending per student
- $11,306NCES F-33 · FY 2023 · This annual source is three years behind the current year.
- District child poverty rate
- 5.6%Census SAIPE · 2024
Desert Canyon Middle School is listed in Scottsdale Unified District (4240); a district label does not verify attendance for an address.
About Desert Canyon Middle School
Desert Canyon Middle School is a public middle school in Scottsdale, AZ, part of Scottsdale Unified District (4240), serving approximately 428 students in grades 6th-8th with a 17.1:1 student-teacher ratio. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.3 out of 10 and ranks #268 of 2,006 schools in AZ. State assessment records show 65% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 69% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about Desert Canyon Middle School
What grades does Desert Canyon Middle School serve?
Desert Canyon Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Desert Canyon Middle School?
Desert Canyon Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 428 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Desert Canyon Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at Desert Canyon Middle School is 17.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Desert Canyon Middle School rank in AZ?
Desert Canyon Middle School ranks #268 of 2,006 schools in AZ.
What is Desert Canyon Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Desert Canyon Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.3 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 Middle School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Desert Canyon Middle School has 65% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 69% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
Is Desert Canyon Middle School a charter school?
No, Desert Canyon Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Desert Canyon Middle School a Title I school?
No, Desert Canyon Middle School is not currently a Title I school.
School factsNCES Common Core of Data (CCD) (SY 2023–24)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 428
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 17.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 25
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Maricopa County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 28.0%
- Phone
- (480) 484-4600
- Area population (ZIP 85255)
- 45,136
- Area average commute
- 23.4 min
- Area median age
- 51.4
Official sources & links
About this school's data
Every number on this page comes from a published source with a stated period. Where a source is partial, aging, or describes a surrounding area rather than the school, that limitation is named below.
- School directory (enrollment, grades, staff, contact)
- NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) · SY 2023–24 · Medium confidence
- Source period: SY 2023–24. A newer release may be available.
- MySchoolScout rating and rank
- MySchoolScout ranking model · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Derived as a weighted blend of the component scores shown in Academics from state assessment, EdFacts growth, and NCES resource records.
- Math proficiency
- State department of education · 2022 EdFacts · Low confidence
- Older source: 2022 EdFacts. Use as historical context.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Reading/ELA proficiency
- State department of education · 2022 EdFacts · Low confidence
- Older source: 2022 EdFacts. Use as historical context.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Student progress (growth)
- NCES EdFacts · Mixed source periods · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived as the fitted year-over-year slope of proficiency from multi-year assessment records.
- Neighborhood (income, housing, education)
- U.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates · ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates · Low confidence
- Older source: ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates. Use as historical context.
- Reported for the ZCTA for ZIP 85255; this does not measure the attendance area.
- Programs (AP/IB, athletics, gifted)
- CRDC via Urban Institute · SY 2021–22 · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: SY 2021–22. A newer release may be available.
Evidence periods: Rating mixed/unknown input periods; assessments multi-year average, 2009-2022; directory SY 2023–24
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