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Excellent

#66 of 2,000 schools in AZ

Top 3% in state

Desert Mountain School

Elementary School · Deer Valley Unified District (4246)

35959 N 7TH AVE, Desert Hills, AZ 85086

Enrollment

425

Student-Teacher

15.2:1

Score

8.7

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

Arizona elementary schools

#60 of 1,216

In district

#5 of 41

Deer Valley Unified District (4246)

Academic growth

9.0 / 10

Exceptional

About Desert Mountain School

Desert Mountain School is a public elementary school in Desert Hills, AZ, part of the Deer Valley Unified District (4246). The school serves approximately 425 students in grades Pre-K – 8th with a student-teacher ratio of 15.2:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.7/10, placing it in the 96.8th percentile among AZ schools — an above average rating overall.

Students demonstrate 56% proficiency in math and 55% in reading/language arts. The school scores particularly well in student growth (9.0/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $118,543, where 42% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

The school is situated in a large suburban setting.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.0Exceptional50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.09 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics8.6Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency55%
Reading/ELA Proficiency57%
Overall Proficiency56%
Expected (poverty-adj.)46%
vs. Expected+9.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile79th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment7.9Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$9,561

Desert Mountain School — Students at Desert Mountain School score 56% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).

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 55.7%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 55.0%
School
State
N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
57%
ELA
55%
2021*
Math
55%
ELA
53%
2022
Math
55%
ELA
57%

* 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: 9.0/10.

How Desert Mountain School Compares

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

Overall Score
8.7/10
97th percentile in AZ
Academic
8.6/10
8.6/10
Growth
9.0/10
Above average
Environment
7.9/10
Above average

Location

35959 N 7TH AVE, Desert Hills, AZ 85086

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Desert Mountain School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Gavilan Peak School (rated 9.2/10, 3.9 miles away, in nearby Anthem), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Stepping Stones Academy (rated 8.2/10, 0.7 miles away, in nearby Phoenix), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Diamond Canyon School (rated 8.2/10, 2.9 miles away, in nearby Anthem), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Desert Hills, see our Desert Hills schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 7.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Stepping Stones Academy Phoenix 0.7 mi 8.2
Diamond Canyon School Anthem 2.9 mi 8.2
Sonoran Foothills School Phoenix 2.8 mi 7.8
Ridgeline Academy Inc. Phoenix 2.8 mi 6.0
Sunset Ridge School Phoenix 3.0 mi 7.4
Gavilan Peak School Anthem 3.9 mi 9.2
Anthem School Anthem 4.4 mi 7.7
West-MEC - Boulder Creek High School Anthem 4.6 mi
Boulder Creek High School Anthem 4.6 mi 7.2
Norterra Canyon School Phoenix 5.7 mi 6.9
NORTH VALLEY CHRISTAIN ACADEMY Anthem 5.5 mi 4.8
AMCS at Anthem dba Caurus Academy Anthem 5.5 mi 7.0
Union Park School Phoenix 6.5 mi 6.0
Great Hearts Academies - Anthem Prep Phoenix 6.2 mi 7.2
Canyon Springs STEM Academy Anthem 6.2 mi 8.2
Desert Willow Elementary School Cave Creek 6.0 mi 7.8
Hope High School Online Glendale 7.1 mi 6.6
ANNUNCIATION CATHOLIC SCHOOL Cave Creek 6.2 mi 5.8
CAREFREE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Cave Creek 6.1 mi 6.9
West-MEC - Sandra Day O'Connor High School Glendale 7.2 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 85086 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$118,543

Median Home Value

$554,100

Median Rent

$2,177/mo

Population

43,369

College Educated

42.2%

Homeownership

84.8%

Avg Commute

29.3 min

Poverty Rate

4.4%

Median Age

44.4

Community Profile

The community surrounding Desert Mountain School has a median household income of $118,543. It is a well-educated community where 42% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $554,100, with a median rent of $2,177/month. The local poverty rate of 4.4% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 29 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
Bagdad Elementary School Bagdad, AZ 8.7
Carrillo Intermediate Magnet School Tucson, AZ 8.7
Dorothy Hall Elementary Yuma, AZ 8.7
Grayhawk Elementary School Scottsdale, AZ 8.7
Audrey & Robert Ryan Elementary Chandler, AZ 8.6
Chandler Traditional Academy-Humphrey Chandler, AZ 8.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Desert Mountain School

What grades does Desert Mountain School serve?

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

How many students attend Desert Mountain School?

Desert Mountain School has an enrollment of approximately 425 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Desert Mountain School is 15.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Desert Mountain School rank in AZ?

Desert Mountain School is ranked #66 out of 2,000 schools in AZ.

What is Desert Mountain School's MySchoolScout rating?

Desert Mountain School has a composite rating of 8.7 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 School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Desert Mountain School has 55.7% math proficiency and 55.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Desert Mountain School a charter school?

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

Is Desert Mountain School a Title I school?

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

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
3 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
26 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR. County-level only.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
425
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
28
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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