Very Good
#557 of 2,000 schools in AZ
Top 28% in state
Desert Canyon Middle School
Middle School · Scottsdale Unified District (4240)
10203 E MCDOWELL MTN RANCH RD, Scottsdale, AZ 85255
Enrollment
428
Student-Teacher
17.1:1
Score
7.2
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
428
Student-Teacher
17.1:1
Score
7.2
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Scottsdale
#26 of 41
public schools
Arizona middle schools
#46 of 218
In district
#21 of 30
Scottsdale Unified District (4240)
Academic performance
8.6 / 10
Exceptional
About Desert Canyon Middle School
Desert Canyon Middle School serves 428 students in grades 6-8 in Scottsdale, Arizona, earning recognition as one of the state's higher-performing middle schools. With a MySchoolScout rating of 7.6 out of 10 and ranking in the 87th percentile statewide at #259 out of 2,029 Arizona schools, the school demonstrates solid academic achievement across its programs. The school maintains a favorable student-teacher ratio of 17.1:1 with 25 full-time equivalent teachers supporting student learning.
Academic performance shows consistent strength, with 56% of students achieving proficient or above levels in both English Language Arts and mathematics across all grade levels tested. This balanced performance in core subjects reflects the school's comprehensive approach to middle-level education. Desert Canyon Middle School is situated in an affluent Scottsdale community where families prioritize education, with 69% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher.
The surrounding 85255 ZIP code features a median household income of $136,486 and median home values of $877,200, creating a supportive environment for academic achievement with a low poverty rate of just 6%. Located on East McDowell Mountain Ranch Road, the school serves families in this well-established Scottsdale neighborhood, benefiting from the community's strong educational values and resources that support student success in this mid-size city setting.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Desert Canyon Middle School — Students at Desert Canyon Middle School score 56% 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: 6.0/10.
How Desert Canyon Middle School Compares
See how Desert Canyon Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 65% (2019) to 56% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 66% (2019) to 56% (2022).
Location
10203 E MCDOWELL MTN RANCH RD, Scottsdale, AZ 85255
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Desert Canyon Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. SCOTTSDALE CHILD CARE AND LEARNING CENTER (rated 9.0/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Redfield Elementary School (rated 8.9/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Desert Canyon Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 0.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Scottsdale, see our Scottsdale schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.6 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 Middle School 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 |
|---|---|
| Alice Vail Middle School Tucson, AZ | 7.2 |
| McKemy Academy of International Studies Tempe, AZ | 7.2 |
| Paul H Huber Jr High School Douglas, AZ | 7.2 |
| Royal Palm Middle School Phoenix, AZ | 7.3 |
| Snowflake Junior High School Snowflake, AZ | 7.3 |
| Queen Creek Junior High School Queen Creek, AZ | 7.1 |
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 is ranked #557 out of 2,000 schools in AZ.
What is Desert Canyon Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Desert Canyon Middle School has a composite rating of 7.2 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 Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Desert Canyon Middle School has 59.3% math proficiency and 60.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Neighborhood Context
- Walk Score
- 37 Car-Dependent
- Transit Score
- 0 Minimal Transit
- Bike Score
- 54 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
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 428
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 17.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 25
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Maricopa County
- Phone
- (480) 484-4600
- 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
- #21 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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