Average
#1612 of 2,000 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
5.0
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
729
Student-Teacher
21.4:1
Score
5.0
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Phoenix
#306 of 398
public schools
Arizona elementary schools
#949 of 1,216
In district
#10 of 12
Pendergast Elementary District (4283)
About Desert Horizon Elementary School
Desert Horizon Elementary School is a regular public school located in Phoenix, Arizona, serving students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade. With an enrollment of 729 students and a student-teacher ratio of 21.4:1, the school aims to provide personalized attention to each child's learning needs. The campus sits on Osborn Road in a bustling urban environment.
Academically, Desert Horizon Elementary School has room for improvement according to recent performance metrics. The MySchoolScout rating is 3.0 out of 10, and it ranks at the 7th percentile among Arizona schools. In reading and math proficiency tests, only 20% and 13% of students respectively scored proficient or above.
Despite these challenges, the school focuses on student development and seeks to enhance its academic programs. Desert Horizon Elementary School is situated in a vibrant part of Phoenix where there's always something happening around town.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Desert Horizon Elementary School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
The student-teacher ratio at Desert Horizon Elementary School is 21.4:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
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Desert Horizon Elementary School — Students at Desert Horizon Elementary School score 14% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 34%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
0.2%
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 Horizon Elementary School Compares
See how Desert Horizon Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 21% (2019) to 12% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 26% (2019) to 17% (2022).
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. Desert Oasis Elementary School (rated 7.5/10, 1.4 miles away, in nearby Tolleson), which scores notably higher. Another option is Legacy Traditional School - North Phoenix (rated 7.1/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, ACCLAIM Academy (rated 6.8/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Phoenix, see our Phoenix schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.1 miNeighborhood 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Desert Horizon Elementary School has a median household income of $81,919. It is a community where 14% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $290,600, with a median rent of $1,649/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.8%. The average commute for residents is 28 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 |
|---|---|
| Arizona Desert Elementary School San Luis, AZ | 5.0 |
| Blue Horizons Elementary School Buckeye, AZ | 5.0 |
| Carol G. Peck Elementary School Glendale, AZ | 5.0 |
| Irving Elementary School Mesa, AZ | 5.0 |
| Saguaro Elementary School Casa Grande, AZ | 5.0 |
| Whitman Elementary School Mesa, AZ | 5.0 |
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 is ranked #1612 out of 2,000 schools in AZ.
What is Desert Horizon Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Desert Horizon Elementary School has a composite rating of 5.0 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 Horizon Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Desert Horizon Elementary School has 13.0% math proficiency and 19.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (3,139/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Phoenix). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (623) 772-2430
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Pendergast Elementary District (4283)- District Enrollment
- 8,251
- Schools in District
- 12
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $10,225
- District Rank
- #10 of 12
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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