Very Good
#45 of 225 private schools in AZ
Top 20% of private schools
Desert Christian School
School
7525 E SPEEDWAY BLVD, Tucson, AZ 85710
Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on 11 schools in Tucson. Learn more
Enrollment
425
Student-Teacher
7.6:1
Score
7.3
Grades
Pre-K – 12th
Enrollment
425
Student-Teacher
7.6:1
Score
7.3
Grades
Pre-K – 12th
Updated
2021-22
Updated 2021-22
How this school compares
In Tucson
#10 of 36
public schools
Arizona schools
#21 of 67
About Desert Christian School
Desert Christian School serves 425 students from prekindergarten through 12th grade in Tucson's established eastside community. With an exceptionally low student-teacher ratio of 7.6:1 and 56 full-time equivalent teachers, the school provides an intimate learning environment where students receive personalized attention throughout their academic journey. The school has earned impressive recognition, ranking 33rd out of 225 Arizona schools and achieving a MySchoolScout rating of 9.4 out of 10, placing it in the 86th percentile statewide.
This high ranking reflects the school's commitment to academic excellence and student success across all grade levels. Located on East Speedway Boulevard, Desert Christian School sits in ZIP code 85710, a diverse neighborhood where the median household income is $52,299 and the median home value reaches $222,700. The surrounding community of over 52,000 residents includes 30% of adults with bachelor's degrees or higher, creating an education-focused environment with a poverty rate of just 12.6%.
The school's comprehensive PK-12 structure allows families to maintain continuity throughout their children's educational experience, from early childhood through college preparation. Desert Christian School operates within Tucson's vibrant urban landscape, offering students access to the cultural and educational opportunities of Arizona's second-largest city.
What Parents Should Know
With a student-teacher ratio of 7.6:1, Desert Christian School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.
As a private school, Desert Christian School operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.
Financial Overview
Source: IRS Form 990 (2023 filing)
- Per-Pupil Spending
- Total expenses ÷ enrollment
- $16,794
- Per-Pupil Revenue
- Total revenue ÷ enrollment
- $52,447
- Financial Health
- Revenue-to-expense ratio (>1.0 = surplus)
- 3.12x — Strong
- Tuition Dependency
- Share of revenue from program services (tuition, fees)
- 27%
- Total Assets
- End-of-year total assets from IRS filing
- $33.4M
Financial data from IRS Form 990 filings via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Per-pupil figures based on current enrollment of 425 students. Not all private schools file Form 990.
Compare to Public Schools
BetaHow Desert Christian School compares to 289 public schools serving similar grades in Tucson, AZ
Student Demographics
Nearby Other Schools
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Desert Christian School (this school) | 7.3 |
| TIA East | 5.5 |
| Hudlow Elementary School | 3.7 |
| Magee Middle School | 7.6 |
| Bloom Elementary | 5.8 |
| Booth-Fickett Math/Science Magnet School | 6.3 |
| Sahuaro High School | 5.7 |
| PCJTED - Sahuaro High School | — |
| Eastpointe High School | 5.1 |
| La Paloma Academy | 3.9 |
| Leman Academy of Excellence - Central Tucson | 3.8 |
| Annie Kellond Elementary School | 4.9 |
| Harold Steele Elementary School | 3.8 |
| Anna Henry Elementary School | 7.0 |
| Academy of Tucson Middle School | 5.1 |
| Da Vinci Tree Academy | 7.7 |
| Academy of Tucson Elementary School | 5.9 |
| W Arthur Sewel Elementary School | 6.5 |
| Ida Flood Dodge Traditional Middle Magnet School | 5.7 |
| Tucson Country Day School | 3.2 |
| Fruchthendler Elementary School | 8.6 |
Showing 20 of 289 schools. View all schools in Tucson
Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.
Score Breakdown
What This Rating Measures
This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in AZ.
Data Unavailable
View data sources
Score basis: Private school model
Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data
Components scored: 4 of 5
Ranking pool: Private schools in AZ
Test Scores
Test score data not yet available for this school.
Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)
Location
7525 E SPEEDWAY BLVD, Tucson, AZ 85710
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Desert Christian School may also want to explore other schools in the area. AUTISM ACADEMY FOR EDUCATION & DEVELOPMENT (rated 7.4/10, 1.4 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is TIA East (rated 5.5/10, 0.8 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, CALVERY CHAPEL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL (rated 4.6/10, 1.5 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Tucson, see our Tucson schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| TIA East Tucson | 0.8 mi | 5.5 |
| Hudlow Elementary School Tucson | 1.0 mi | 3.7 |
| Online School of Arizona Scottsdale | 1.1 mi | 6.8 |
| Magee Middle School Tucson | 1.0 mi | 7.6 |
| Bloom Elementary Tucson | 1.1 mi | 5.8 |
| AUTISM ACADEMY FOR EDUCATION & DEVELOPMENT Tucson | 1.4 mi | 7.4 |
| Booth-Fickett Math/Science Magnet School Tucson | 1.5 mi | 6.3 |
| FAMILY LIFE ACADEMY Tucson | 1.6 mi | 6.5 |
| Eastpointe High School Tucson | 1.6 mi | 5.1 |
| PCJTED - Sahuaro High School Tucson | 1.5 mi | — |
| Sahuaro High School Tucson | 1.5 mi | 5.7 |
| CALVERY CHAPEL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Tucson | 1.5 mi | 4.6 |
| La Paloma Academy Tucson | 1.6 mi | 3.9 |
| ST MICHAEL'S PARISH DAY SCHOOL Tucson | 1.6 mi | 7.9 |
| CASA NINOS SCHOOL OF MONTESSORI - EAST CAMPUS Tucson | 1.7 mi | — |
| Annie Kellond Elementary School Tucson | 1.8 mi | 4.9 |
| Leman Academy of Excellence - Central Tucson Tucson | 1.8 mi | 3.8 |
| Harold Steele Elementary School Tucson | 2.0 mi | 3.8 |
| Academy of Tucson Middle School Tucson | 2.1 mi | 5.1 |
| Da Vinci Tree Academy Tucson | 2.1 mi | 7.7 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 85710 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$54,738
Median Home Value
$245,900
Median Rent
$1,169/mo
Population
55,004
College Educated
30.7%
Homeownership
55.6%
Avg Commute
22.6 min
Poverty Rate
12.5%
Median Age
41.6
Community Profile
The community surrounding Desert Christian School has a median household income of $54,738. It is an area where 31% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $245,900, with a median rent of $1,169/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.5%. 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 |
|---|---|
| ACES-PEORIA Peoria, AZ | 7.3 |
| Sonoran Science Academy-Peoria Peoria, AZ | 7.3 |
| AZ ASPIRE ACADEMY Fountain Hills, AZ | 7.4 |
| NEW WAY ACADEMY Phoenix, AZ | 7.4 |
| BASIS Phoenix Central Primary Phoenix, AZ | 7.1 |
| Masada Charter School Colorado City, AZ | 7.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Desert Christian School
What grades does Desert Christian School serve?
Desert Christian School serves students in grades Pre-K through 12th.
How many students attend Desert Christian School?
Desert Christian School has an enrollment of approximately 425 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Desert Christian School?
The student-teacher ratio at Desert Christian School is 7.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.
How does Desert Christian School rank in AZ?
Desert Christian School is ranked #45 out of 225 private schools in AZ.
What is Desert Christian School's MySchoolScout rating?
Desert Christian School has a composite rating of 7.3 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.
Is Desert Christian School a private school?
Yes, Desert Christian School is a private coeducational school with a Christian, no specific denomination affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.
Is Desert Christian School a religious school?
Desert Christian School has a Christian, no specific denomination religious affiliation.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- Walk Score
- 59 Somewhat Walkable
- Transit Score
- 34 Some Transit
- Bike Score
- 68 Bikeable
- City Safety
- High (3,922/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Tucson). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 12th
- Enrollment
- 425
- Gender Split
- 57% M / 43% F
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 7.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 56
- Type
- private
- Coed Status
- coed
- Affiliation
- Christian, no specific denomination
- School Day
- 7.2 hours
- Days Per Year
- 177 days
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- PIMA
- Phone
- (520) 901-5499
- Data Year
- 2022–2023
Resources & Links
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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