Needs Improvement
#1851 of 2,006 schools in AZ
Desert Sands Academy of Mass Communication & Journalism
Middle School · Cartwright Elementary District (4282) · Phoenix, AZ
A Cartwright Elementary District (4282) middle school where students score 11 points below what's typical for similar communities.
6308 W CAMPBELL AVE, Phoenix, AZ 85033
- Math 9% proficient (2022)
- Reading 19% proficient (2022)
- 18.5:1 student-teacher ratio
Academics
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
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Students at Desert Sands Academy of Mass Communication & Journalism score 14% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 25%).
2022 EdFacts proficiency
Most recent published year. School vs. AZ average.
Trend
↓ DecliningProficiency has fallen 6 points since 2019, to 14% in 2022, across a 14-year record (2009–2022).
Show all 14 years
Multi-year averages used by the rating model: math 28% (multi-year average, 2009-2022) · reading/ELA 38% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Based on 28 test records from AZ state assessments and EdFacts (NCES).
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateThe neighborhood
Where Desert Sands Academy of Mass Communication & Journalism sits, and what the surrounding area looks like.
Nearby same-level schools are colored by their score. Pins are locations, not attendance boundaries. Open the Phoenix map →
Getting around & local context
- Walk 26Car-Dependent
- Transit 40Some Transit
- Bike 54Bikeable
- City Safety: High3,139/100K
Powered by
FBI Uniform Crime Reporting · 2024 · city context (Phoenix), not school-level safety or attendance eligibility. Source details
Source period: 2024. Freshness not available.
Area profileU.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates (ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates)
Median income
$60,749
Median home value
$245,900
Median rent
$1,338/mo
College educated
7.2%
Homeownership
56.7%
Poverty rate
19.8%
ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates for the ZCTA associated with school ZIP 85033; this is area context, not an attendance boundary.
Programs & students
Programs & Offerings
Compare nearby
Nearby same-level schools
4 from a 5-mile search; district fallback available
| School | Score | Grades | Distance | Enrollment | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lexington Life Academy - PhoenixPrivate · tuition | 4.3private | K–12 | 0.6 mi | 276 | Compare → |
| Westland SchoolCharter · enrollment unverified | 3.4 | K–12 | 0.6 mi | 195 | Compare → |
| Marc T. Atkinson Middle School & Gifted AcademyEnrollment path unverified | 5.4 | 6–8 | 1.3 mi | 197 | Compare → |
| Estrella Middle SchoolEnrollment path unverified | 4.0 | 6–8 | 1.5 mi | 693 | Compare → |
Distance is proximity only; it is not attendance eligibility.
Private · tuition: Potential private option; tuition and admission requirements have not been verified.
Charter · enrollment unverified: Potential charter option; enrollment requirements have not been verified.
Enrollment path unverified: Potential public school; its attendance or application path has not been classified.
Public and private scores come from different models and are shown side by side, not blended into one ranking.
Cartwright Elementary District (4282)
- Schools in district
- 23
- Rank in district
- #17 of 22
- District spending per student
- $11,949NCES F-33 · FY 2023 · This annual source is three years behind the current year.
- District child poverty rate
- 23.1%Census SAIPE · 2024
Desert Sands Academy of Mass Communication & Journalism is listed in Cartwright Elementary District (4282); a district label does not verify attendance for an address.
About Desert Sands Academy of Mass Communication & Journalism
Desert Sands Academy of Mass Communication & Journalism is a public middle school in Phoenix, AZ, part of Cartwright Elementary District (4282), serving approximately 518 students in grades 6th-8th with a 18.5:1 student-teacher ratio. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 3.8 out of 10 and ranks #1,851 of 2,006 schools in AZ. State assessment records show 28% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 38% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about Desert Sands Academy of Mass Communication & Journalism
What grades does Desert Sands Academy of Mass Communication & Journalism serve?
Desert Sands Academy of Mass Communication & Journalism serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Desert Sands Academy of Mass Communication & Journalism?
Desert Sands Academy of Mass Communication & Journalism has an enrollment of approximately 518 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Desert Sands Academy of Mass Communication & Journalism?
The student-teacher ratio at Desert Sands Academy of Mass Communication & Journalism is 18.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Desert Sands Academy of Mass Communication & Journalism rank in AZ?
Desert Sands Academy of Mass Communication & Journalism ranks #1,851 of 2,006 schools in AZ.
What is Desert Sands Academy of Mass Communication & Journalism's MySchoolScout rating?
Desert Sands Academy of Mass Communication & Journalism has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.8 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 Sands Academy of Mass Communication & Journalism?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Desert Sands Academy of Mass Communication & Journalism has 28% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 38% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
Is Desert Sands Academy of Mass Communication & Journalism a charter school?
No, Desert Sands Academy of Mass Communication & Journalism is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Desert Sands Academy of Mass Communication & Journalism a Title I school?
No, Desert Sands Academy of Mass Communication & Journalism is not currently a Title I school.
School factsNCES Common Core of Data (CCD) (SY 2023–24)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 518
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 18.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 28
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Maricopa County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 61.6%
- Phone
- (623) 691-4900
- Area population (ZIP 85033)
- 58,234
- Area average commute
- 28.7 min
- Area median age
- 28.6
Official sources & links
About this school's data
Every number on this page comes from a published source with a stated period. Where a source is partial, aging, or describes a surrounding area rather than the school, that limitation is named below.
- School directory (enrollment, grades, staff, contact)
- NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) · SY 2023–24 · Medium confidence
- Source period: SY 2023–24. A newer release may be available.
- MySchoolScout rating and rank
- MySchoolScout ranking model · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Derived as a weighted blend of the component scores shown in Academics from state assessment, EdFacts growth, and NCES resource records.
- Math proficiency
- State department of education · 2022 EdFacts · Low confidence
- Older source: 2022 EdFacts. Use as historical context.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Reading/ELA proficiency
- State department of education · 2022 EdFacts · Low confidence
- Older source: 2022 EdFacts. Use as historical context.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Student progress (growth)
- NCES EdFacts · Mixed source periods · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived as the fitted year-over-year slope of proficiency from multi-year assessment records.
- Neighborhood (income, housing, education)
- U.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates · ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates · Low confidence
- Older source: ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates. Use as historical context.
- Reported for the ZCTA for ZIP 85033; this does not measure the attendance area.
- Programs (AP/IB, athletics, gifted)
- CRDC via Urban Institute · SY 2021–22 · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: SY 2021–22. A newer release may be available.
Evidence periods: Rating mixed/unknown input periods; assessments multi-year average, 2009-2022; directory SY 2023–24
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