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#1165 of 2,000 schools in AZ

Desert Marigold School

School · Valley of the Sun Waldorf Education Association d (79957)

6210 S 28TH ST, Phoenix, AZ 85042

Charter

Enrollment

284

Score

5.9

Grades

Kindergarten – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Phoenix

#214 of 398

public schools

Arizona schools

#70 of 137

About Desert Marigold School

Desert Marigold School is a charter school located in the heart of Phoenix, Arizona, catering to students from kindergarten through 12th grade. With an enrollment of 284 students, the school aims to provide a comprehensive educational experience. Although the student-teacher ratio is not reported, the school’s commitment to individualized learning and community engagement is evident in its offerings.

Academically, Desert Marigold School has a MySchoolScout rating of 5.2 out of 10, placing it in the 46th percentile among Arizona schools. In terms of standardized test scores, 47% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 17% are proficient or above in Math. The school is focusing on student development and providing support to help improve academic performance across all subjects.

The neighborhood around Desert Marigold School has a median household income of $78,282, with a median home value of $309,600. About 27% of residents have a bachelor's degree or higher, and the poverty rate is 15.3%. The school is situated in a vibrant city setting, offering students a diverse range of community resources and cultural opportunities.

What Parents Should Know

Desert Marigold School is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress6.1Above Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-3.15 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics6.4Above Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency17%
Reading/ELA Proficiency47%
Overall Proficiency32%
Expected (poverty-adj.)38%
vs. Expected-6.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile49th
College Readiness7.1Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment3.1Fair20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Per-Pupil Spending$9,203

Desert Marigold School — Students at Desert Marigold School score 32% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 38%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

0.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores AZ EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 27.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 48.7%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from AZ state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
32%
ELA
52%
2021*
Math
32%
ELA
47%
2022
Math
17%
ELA
47%

* 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: 6.1/10.

How Desert Marigold School Compares

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

Overall Score
5.9/10
42th percentile in AZ
Academic
6.4/10
6.4/10
Growth
6.1/10
Above average
Environment
3.1/10
Below average

Location

6210 S 28TH ST, Phoenix, AZ 85042

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Desert Marigold School may also want to explore other schools in the area. 91ST PSALM CHRISTIAN SCHOOL (rated 7.9/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, The Paideia Academy of South Phoenix (rated 4.7/10, 1.8 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Phoenix, see our Phoenix schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.2 mi
School Distance Rating
George Gervin Prep Academy Tempe 0.2 mi 6.9
Kaizen Education Foundation dba South Pointe Elementary Scho Tempe 0.9 mi 6.2
T G Barr School Phoenix 0.9 mi 7.5
Martin Luther King Early Childhood Center Phoenix 1.1 mi 5.7
Percy L Julian School Phoenix 1.1 mi 7.0
91ST PSALM CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Phoenix 1.2 mi 7.9
Pioneer Technology & Arts Academy of Arizona Phoenix 1.2 mi 5.0
Cloves C Campbell Sr Elementary School Phoenix 1.4 mi 6.6
AAEC - SMCC Campus Phoenix 1.3 mi 4.6
Hope College and Career Readiness Academy Phoenix 1.4 mi 6.9
AWAKENING SEED SCHOOL Phoenix 1.5 mi 5.8
Skyline Prep High School Chandler 1.6 mi 7.3
South Valley Prep and Arts School Phoenix 1.6 mi 4.8
South Phoenix Prep and Arts Academy Phoenix 1.6 mi 3.9
The Paideia Academy of South Phoenix Phoenix 1.8 mi 4.7
Paideia Liberal Arts Academy Phoenix 1.8 mi 5.9
John F Kennedy Elementary School Phoenix 2.1 mi 5.3
ASU Preparatory Academy - South Phoenix High School Tempe 2.1 mi 5.5
C O Greenfield School Phoenix 2.1 mi 5.1
Irene Lopez School Phoenix 2.2 mi 6.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 85042 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$86,837

Median Home Value

$353,400

Median Rent

$1,495/mo

Population

45,575

College Educated

31.7%

Homeownership

66.7%

Avg Commute

25.5 min

Poverty Rate

15.2%

Median Age

34.2

Community Profile

The community surrounding Desert Marigold School has a median household income of $86,837. It is an area where 32% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $353,400, with a median rent of $1,495/month. The area has a poverty rate of 15.2%. The average commute for residents is 26 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
VILLE DE MARIE ACADEMY Scottsdale, AZ 6.0
Westland School Brighton Campus Phoenix, AZ 6.0
Southside Community School Tucson, AZ 5.8
Nosotros Academy Tucson, AZ 6.1
Sweetwater Community School Phoenix, AZ 6.1
Presidio School Tucson, AZ 5.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Desert Marigold School

What grades does Desert Marigold School serve?

Desert Marigold School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 12th.

How many students attend Desert Marigold School?

Desert Marigold School has an enrollment of approximately 284 students.

How does Desert Marigold School rank in AZ?

Desert Marigold School is ranked #1165 out of 2,000 schools in AZ.

What is Desert Marigold School's MySchoolScout rating?

Desert Marigold School has a composite rating of 5.9 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 Marigold School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Desert Marigold School has 27.0% math proficiency and 48.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Desert Marigold School a charter school?

Yes, Desert Marigold School is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.

Is Desert Marigold School a Title I school?

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

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Kindergarten – 12th
Enrollment
284
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Maricopa County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Valley of the Sun Waldorf Education Association d (79957)
District Enrollment
284
Schools in District
1
Per-Pupil Spending
$10,832
District Rank
#1 of 1

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 methodology

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