Excellent
#15 of 2,000 schools in AZ
Top 1% in state
Desert Cove Elementary School
Elementary School · Paradise Valley Unified District (4241)
11020 N 28TH ST, Phoenix, AZ 85028
Enrollment
385
Student-Teacher
12.4:1
Score
9.2
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
385
Student-Teacher
12.4:1
Score
9.2
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Phoenix
#2 of 398
public schools
Arizona elementary schools
#14 of 1,216
In district
#2 of 44
Paradise Valley Unified District (4241)
Academic growth
9.7 / 10
Exceptional
About Desert Cove Elementary School
Desert Cove Elementary School serves 385 students in Phoenix, Arizona, from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade. It operates as a regular public school with a student-teacher ratio of 12.4 to 1. The school earns a composite score of 9.2 out of 10 with an Exceptional rating.
Its strongest signal is growth: a 9.7 out of 10 reflects consistent, measurable academic momentum year over year. That trajectory puts Desert Cove at #2 of 398 public schools in Phoenix — and #15 out of 2,000 public schools across Arizona, outperforming 99% of the state's public schools overall. Among Arizona's 1,216 elementary schools specifically, it ranks #14.
Academic performance comes in at 8.3 — a strong foundation that the school's exceptional growth score builds on rather than substitutes for. At 385 students, Desert Cove runs lean enough to maintain close student contact across all eight grade levels. For parents comparing Phoenix public schools, few options at the elementary level sit higher on the statewide ranking ladder.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Desert Cove Elementary School — Students at Desert Cove Elementary School score 50% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 44%).
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
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 9.7/10.
How Desert Cove Elementary School Compares
See how Desert Cove Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 36% (2019) to 48% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 48% (2019) to 53% (2022).
Location
11020 N 28TH ST, Phoenix, AZ 85028
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Desert Cove Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Larkspur Elementary School (rated 8.4/10, 1.0 miles away), with a comparable rating. Another option is Great Hearts Academies - Archway North Phoenix (rated 8.2/10, 2.0 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Mercury Mine Elementary School (rated 7.5/10, 0.9 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Phoenix, see our Phoenix schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Shea Middle School Phoenix | 0.2 mi | 6.4 |
| West-MEC - Shadow Mountain High School Phoenix | 0.3 mi | — |
| Shadow Mountain High School Phoenix | 0.3 mi | 8.9 |
| PARADISE VALLEY CHRISTIAN PREPARATORY Phoenix | 0.7 mi | 7.1 |
| BASIS Phoenix Phoenix | 0.7 mi | 8.1 |
| BASIS Phoenix Primary Phoenix | 0.7 mi | 7.0 |
| Mercury Mine Elementary School Phoenix | 0.9 mi | 7.5 |
| Larkspur Elementary School Phoenix | 1.0 mi | 8.4 |
| DESERT VOICES ORAL LEARNING CENTER Phoenix | 1.0 mi | — |
| COMMUNITY MONTESSORI SCHOOL Phoenix | 1.3 mi | — |
| GATEWAY ACADEMY Phoenix | 1.6 mi | 7.6 |
| Great Hearts Academies - North Phoenix Prep Phoenix | 2.0 mi | 7.4 |
| Great Hearts Academies - Archway North Phoenix Phoenix | 2.0 mi | 8.2 |
| Hidden Hills Elementary School Phoenix | 2.0 mi | 5.3 |
| Accelerated Learning Center Phoenix | 1.8 mi | 4.2 |
| Indian Bend Elementary School Phoenix | 2.1 mi | 6.0 |
| Montessori Day Public Schools Chartered - Mountainside Phoenix | 2.1 mi | 4.9 |
| Greenway Middle School Phoenix | 2.5 mi | 6.0 |
| pvONLINE Phoenix | 2.5 mi | 7.3 |
| Sweetwater Community School Phoenix | 2.3 mi | 6.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 85028 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$119,436
Median Home Value
$583,000
Median Rent
$1,832/mo
Population
18,952
College Educated
56.2%
Homeownership
84.6%
Avg Commute
25.2 min
Poverty Rate
4.4%
Median Age
48.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding Desert Cove Elementary School has a median household income of $119,436. It is a well-educated community where 56% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $583,000, with a median rent of $1,832/month. The local poverty rate of 4.4% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 25 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 |
|---|---|
| Gavilan Peak School Anthem, AZ | 9.2 |
| Rover Elementary School Tempe, AZ | 9.2 |
| Agua Caliente School Tucson, AZ | 9.1 |
| Desert Shadows Elementary School Scottsdale, AZ | 9.1 |
| Coronado Elementary School Saint Johns, AZ | 9.0 |
| Freedom Traditional Academy Surprise, AZ | 9.0 |
Compare Desert Cove Elementary School with similar schools nearby
Side-by-side ratings, test scores, and demographics for the schools parents most often weigh against this one.
- CompareDesert Cove Elementary School vs Sonoran Sky Elementary SchoolPHOENIX, AZ Peer score 9.4/10 +0.2 vs Desert Cove Elementary School
- CompareDesert Cove Elementary School vs Boulder Creek Elementary SchoolPHOENIX, AZ Peer score 9.1/10 -0.1 vs Desert Cove Elementary School
- CompareDesert Cove Elementary School vs Fireside Elementary SchoolPhoenix, AZ Peer score 9.0/10 -0.2 vs Desert Cove Elementary School
- CompareDesert Cove Elementary School vs Sandpiper Elementary SchoolPhoenix, AZ Peer score 9.0/10 -0.2 vs Desert Cove Elementary School
- CompareDesert Cove Elementary School vs Global Academy of PhoenixPhoenix, AZ Peer score 9.0/10 -0.2 vs Desert Cove Elementary School
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Desert Cove Elementary School
What grades does Desert Cove Elementary School serve?
Desert Cove Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.
How many students attend Desert Cove Elementary School?
Desert Cove Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 385 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Desert Cove Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Desert Cove Elementary School is 12.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Desert Cove Elementary School rank in AZ?
Desert Cove Elementary School is ranked #15 out of 2,000 schools in AZ.
What is Desert Cove Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Desert Cove Elementary School has a composite rating of 9.2 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 Cove Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Desert Cove Elementary School has 39.7% math proficiency and 49.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Desert Cove Elementary School a charter school?
No, Desert Cove Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Desert Cove Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Desert Cove Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
Neighborhood Context
- Walk Score
- 37 Car-Dependent
- Transit Score
- 33 Some Transit
- Bike Score
- 62 Bikeable
- City Safety
- High (3,139/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Phoenix). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 6th
- Enrollment
- 385
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 31
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Maricopa County
- Phone
- (602) 449-3400
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Paradise Valley Unified District (4241)- District Enrollment
- 27,034
- Schools in District
- 45
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,848
- District Rank
- #2 of 44
Compare This School
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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