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Needs Improvement

#1972 of 2,006 schools in AZ

Desert Horizon Elementary School

Elementary School · Pendergast Elementary District (4283)

8525 W OSBORN RD, Phoenix, AZ 85037

Enrollment

729

Student-Teacher

21.4:1

Score

2.9

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Arizona schools

#1,972 of 2,006

In Phoenix

#407 of 422

public schools

In district

#12 of 12

Pendergast Elementary District (4283)

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Desert Horizon Elementary School

2.9/10

Elementary School in Phoenix · grades Pre-K – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Pan-american Charter School

3.9/10

0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Amberlea Elementary School

4.4/10

0.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Desert Horizon Elementary School

Desert Horizon Elementary School is a public elementary school in Phoenix, AZ, part of Pendergast Elementary District (4283). Desert Horizon Elementary School serves approximately 729 students, and covers grades Pre-K-8th, and has a 21.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Desert Horizon Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.9 out of 10 and ranks #1,972 of 2,006 schools in AZ.

Structured state assessment records for Desert Horizon Elementary School show 31% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 37% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares1.4 pts below district
  • This school 2.9 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 4.3
  • AZ avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

Desert Horizon Elementary School runs 21.4:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.

49% of students at Desert Horizon Elementary School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress2.2Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-4.7 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics3.2Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency12% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency17% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency15% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)34% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-19.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile13th
Resources & Environment4.2Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio21.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,225
Chronic Absenteeism49.2%

Desert Horizon Elementary School — Students at Desert Horizon Elementary School score 14% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 34%).

How we calculate scores →

Test Scores AZ EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 30.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 37.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 28 test records from AZ state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
53%
ELA
62%
2010
Math
61%
ELA
70%
2011
Math
55%
ELA
66%
2012
Math
59%
ELA
71%
2013
Math
58%
ELA
70%
2014
Math
27%
ELA
25%
2015
Math
21%
ELA
20%
2016
Math
13%
ELA
18%
2017
Math
15%
ELA
19%
2018
Math
21%
ELA
26%
2019
Math
21%
ELA
26%
2020*
Math
6%
ELA
16%
2021*
Math
6%
ELA
16%
2022
Math
12%
ELA
17%

* 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: 2.2/10.

How Desert Horizon Elementary School Compares

See how Desert Horizon Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
2.9/10
2th percentile in AZ
Academic
3.2/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
2.2/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
4.2/10
Below Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Teaching Staff
21:1 student-teacher ratio
34 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
49.2%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

8525 W OSBORN RD, Phoenix, AZ 85037

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Desert Horizon Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Legacy Traditional School - North Phoenix (rated 7.5/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Westwind Elementary School (rated 6.4/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Starlight Park College Preparatory and Community School (rated 5.7/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Phoenix, see our Phoenix schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Pan-American Charter School Phoenix 0.5 mi 3.9
Amberlea Elementary School Phoenix 0.8 mi 4.4
Starlight Park College Preparatory and Community School Phoenix 0.8 mi 5.7
Pendergast Elementary School Phoenix 0.9 mi 4.1
Raul H. Castro Middle School: Academy of Fine Arts Phoenix 1.0 mi 2.8
Manuel Pena Jr. School Phoenix 1.1 mi 4.0
Westwind Elementary School Phoenix 1.2 mi 6.4
Desert Oasis Elementary School Tolleson 1.4 mi 4.4
Tomahawk School Phoenix 1.3 mi 4.7
Sheely Farms Elementary School Phoenix 1.4 mi 3.9
ACCLAIM Academy Phoenix 1.3 mi 3.5
Premier Charter High School Phoenix 1.4 mi 5.3
Trevor Browne High School Phoenix 1.4 mi 4.5
Edison School of Innovation Glendale 1.8 mi 4.7
Estrella Middle School Phoenix 1.6 mi 4.0
West-MEC - Copper Canyon High School Glendale 1.9 mi
Copper Canyon High School Glendale 1.9 mi 5.3
Legacy Traditional School - North Phoenix Phoenix 1.8 mi 7.5
Arizona Preparatory Academy Phoenix 1.8 mi 4.8
Sunset Ridge Elementary School Glendale 2.1 mi 4.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 85037 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$81,919

Median Home Value

$290,600

Median Rent

$1,649/mo

Population

53,041

College Educated

13.7%

Homeownership

60.4%

Avg Commute

28 min

Poverty Rate

12.8%

Median Age

30.4

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Cartwright School Phoenix, AZ 2.9
Rainbow Valley Elementary School Buckeye, AZ 2.9
Bales Elementary School Buckeye, AZ 2.8
Black Mountain Elementary School Golden Valley, AZ 2.8
Carol G. Peck Elementary School Glendale, AZ 3.0
Ironwood School Casa Grande, AZ 2.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Desert Horizon Elementary School

What grades does Desert Horizon Elementary School serve?

Desert Horizon Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.

How many students attend Desert Horizon Elementary School?

Desert Horizon Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 729 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Desert Horizon Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Desert Horizon Elementary School is 21.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Desert Horizon Elementary School rank in AZ?

Desert Horizon Elementary School ranks #1,972 of 2,006 schools in AZ.

What is Desert Horizon Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Desert Horizon Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.9 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 Horizon Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Desert Horizon Elementary School has 31% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 37% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Desert Horizon Elementary School a charter school?

No, Desert Horizon Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Desert Horizon Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Desert Horizon Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
22 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
43 Some Transit
Bike Score
40 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
729
Student-Teacher Ratio
21.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
34
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Maricopa County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
49.2%

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