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Average

#987 of 2,000 schools in AZ

Top 49% in state

Desert Mountain Elementary

Elementary School · Queen Creek Unified District (4245)

22301 S HAWES RD, Queen Creek, AZ 85142

Enrollment

740

Student-Teacher

17.6:1

Score

6.3

Grades

Pre-K – 6th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Queen Creek

#15 of 22

public schools

Arizona elementary schools

#621 of 1,216

In district

#11 of 14

Queen Creek Unified District (4245)

Academic performance

8.7 / 10

Exceptional

About Desert Mountain Elementary

Desert Mountain Elementary serves 740 students in grades PK through 6 in Queen Creek, Arizona, earning recognition as one of the state's top-performing elementary schools. With a MySchoolScout rating of 7.7 out of 10 and ranking #217 out of 2029 Arizona schools, the school places in the 89th percentile statewide. The school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 17.6:1 with 42 full-time equivalent teachers supporting student learning.

Academic achievement is particularly strong, with 60% of students performing proficient or above in math and 58% reaching proficiency in English Language Arts and reading across all grade levels tested. Desert Mountain Elementary benefits from its location in an affluent Queen Creek community where the median household income reaches $116,587 and median home values are $444,000. The surrounding 85142 ZIP code area is home to 82,360 residents, with 37% holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a low poverty rate of just 6.0%.

These community demographics support the school's academic success, creating an environment where educational achievement flourishes. Desert Mountain Elementary operates as a regular public school in this large suburban setting, serving families who have chosen Queen Creek for its quality schools and family-friendly atmosphere.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.9Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-4.17 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics8.7Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency60%
Reading/ELA Proficiency58%
Overall Proficiency59%
Expected (poverty-adj.)51%
vs. Expected+8.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile80th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment6.4Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$8,699

Desert Mountain Elementary — Students at Desert Mountain Elementary score 59% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 51%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

0%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores AZ EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 65.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 61.0%
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
72%
ELA
70%
2021*
Math
63%
ELA
55%
2022
Math
60%
ELA
58%

* 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: 4.9/10.

How Desert Mountain Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
6.3/10
51th percentile in AZ
Academic
8.7/10
8.7/10
Growth
4.9/10
Below average
Environment
6.4/10
Above average

Location

22301 S HAWES RD, Queen Creek, AZ 85142

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Desert Mountain Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Dr. Gary and Annette Auxier Elementary School (rated 8.0/10, 2.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Benjamin Franklin Charter School - Power (rated 7.8/10, 2.0 miles away, in nearby Gilbert), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Cortina Elementary (rated 7.0/10, 2.3 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Queen Creek, see our Queen Creek schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Queen Creek Virtual Academy Queen Creek 0.9 mi 6.3
Queen Creek Elementary School Queen Creek 1.0 mi 6.8
American Leadership Academy Queen Creek K-12 Queen Creek 1.0 mi 5.4
CANYON STATE ACADEMY Queen Creek 1.2 mi 8.1
Queen Creek Junior High School Queen Creek 1.5 mi 7.1
Newell Barney College Preparatory School Queen Creek 2.0 mi 7.8
Jack Barnes Elementary School Queen Creek 1.9 mi 6.9
Heritage Academy Gateway Mesa 2.2 mi 5.3
EVIT - Heritage Academy Gateway Queen Creek 2.2 mi
Sossaman Middle School Queen Creek 1.9 mi 7.2
Sue Sossaman Early Childhood Development Center Queen Creek 2.0 mi 7.7
Benjamin Franklin Charter School - Power Gilbert 2.0 mi 7.8
Cortina Elementary Queen Creek 2.3 mi 7.0
Dr. Gary and Annette Auxier Elementary School Queen Creek 2.1 mi 8.0
American Leadership Academy of Applied Technologies Mesa 2.7 mi
Dr. Camille Casteel High School Queen Creek 2.5 mi 6.5
Benjamin Franklin High School Queen Creek 2.8 mi 7.1
Frances Brandon-Pickett Elementary Queen Creek 2.5 mi 6.5
JEWELL SCHOOL Queen Creek 2.8 mi
Queen Creek High School Queen Creek 2.6 mi 6.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 85142 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$125,236

Median Home Value

$521,300

Median Rent

$2,092/mo

Population

87,201

College Educated

37.9%

Homeownership

88.7%

Avg Commute

30.9 min

Poverty Rate

5.3%

Median Age

36.1

Community Profile

The community surrounding Desert Mountain Elementary has a median household income of $125,236. It is an area where 38% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $521,300, with a median rent of $2,092/month. The local poverty rate of 5.3% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 31 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
ASU Preparatory Academy-Polytechnic Elementary Mesa, AZ 6.3
Arroyo Elementary School Glendale, AZ 6.3
Arts Academy at Estrella Mountain Tolleson, AZ 6.3
Bales Elementary School Buckeye, AZ 6.3
Cheyenne Elementary School Peoria, AZ 6.3
Desert Mirage Elementary School Glendale, AZ 6.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Desert Mountain Elementary

What grades does Desert Mountain Elementary serve?

Desert Mountain Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.

How many students attend Desert Mountain Elementary?

Desert Mountain Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 740 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Desert Mountain Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Desert Mountain Elementary is 17.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Desert Mountain Elementary rank in AZ?

Desert Mountain Elementary is ranked #987 out of 2,000 schools in AZ.

What is Desert Mountain Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Desert Mountain Elementary has a composite rating of 6.3 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.

What are the test scores at Desert Mountain Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Desert Mountain Elementary has 65.0% math proficiency and 61.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Desert Mountain Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Desert Mountain Elementary a Title I school?

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

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
Elevated (950/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Queen Creek). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
740
Student-Teacher Ratio
17.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
42
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Maricopa County
Data Year
2023–2024

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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