Excellent
#69 of 2,006 schools in AZ
Top 3% in state
Desert Shadows Elementary School
Elementary School · Paradise Valley Unified District (4241) · Scottsdale, AZ
A Paradise Valley Unified District (4241) elementary school where students score 23 points above what's typical for similar communities.
5902 E SWEETWATER AVE, Scottsdale, AZ 85254
- Math 66% proficient (2022)
- Reading 68% proficient (2022)
- 14.1:1 student-teacher ratio
Academics
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Students at Desert Shadows Elementary School score 67% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 44%).
2022 EdFacts proficiency
Most recent published year. School vs. AZ average.
Trend
→ SteadyProficiency is down 16 points across the 14-year record (2009–2022) and has held near 67% recently.
Show all 14 years
Multi-year averages used by the rating model: math 68% (multi-year average, 2009-2022) · reading/ELA 74% (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 Shadows Elementary School 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 8Car-Dependent
- Transit 0Minimal Transit
- Bike 54Bikeable
- City Safety: High2,031/100K
Powered by
FBI Uniform Crime Reporting · 2024 · city context (Scottsdale), 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
$120,885
Median home value
$701,900
Median rent
$1,954/mo
College educated
60.3%
Homeownership
72.9%
Poverty rate
5.2%
ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates for the ZCTA associated with school ZIP 85254; 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Desert Springs Preparatory Elementary SchoolEnrollment path unverified | 8.4 | PK–6 | 1.0 mi | 354 | Compare → |
| Rainbow Montessori School - CactusPrivate · tuition | Not rated | PK–K | 1.0 mi | 3 | Compare → |
| Sequoya Elementary SchoolEnrollment path unverified | 9.4 | PK–5 | 1.0 mi | 565 | Compare → |
| Sandpiper Elementary SchoolEnrollment path unverified | 9.2 | PK–6 | 1.2 mi | 441 | Compare → |
Distance is proximity only; it is not attendance eligibility.
Enrollment path unverified: Potential public school; its attendance or application path has not been classified.
Private · tuition: Potential private option; tuition and admission requirements have not been verified.
Paradise Valley Unified District (4241)
- Schools in district
- 45
- Rank in district
- #8 of 44
- District spending per student
- $11,848NCES F-33 · FY 2023 · This annual source is three years behind the current year.
- District child poverty rate
- 8.5%Census SAIPE · 2024
Desert Shadows Elementary School is listed in Paradise Valley Unified District (4241); a district label does not verify attendance for an address.
About Desert Shadows Elementary School
Desert Shadows Elementary School is a public elementary school in Scottsdale, AZ, part of Paradise Valley Unified District (4241), serving approximately 479 students in grades Pre-K-6th with a 14.1:1 student-teacher ratio. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 9.1 out of 10 and ranks #69 of 2,006 schools in AZ. State assessment records show 68% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 74% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about Desert Shadows Elementary School
What grades does Desert Shadows Elementary School serve?
Desert Shadows Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.
How many students attend Desert Shadows Elementary School?
Desert Shadows Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 479 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Desert Shadows Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Desert Shadows Elementary School is 14.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Desert Shadows Elementary School rank in AZ?
Desert Shadows Elementary School ranks #69 of 2,006 schools in AZ.
What is Desert Shadows Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Desert Shadows Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 9.1 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 Shadows Elementary School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Desert Shadows Elementary School has 68% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 74% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
Is Desert Shadows Elementary School a charter school?
No, Desert Shadows Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Desert Shadows Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Desert Shadows Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
School factsNCES Common Core of Data (CCD) (SY 2023–24)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 6th
- Enrollment
- 479
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 34
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Maricopa County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 18.8%
- Phone
- (602) 449-6900
- Area population (ZIP 85254)
- 46,655
- Area average commute
- 23.1 min
- Area median age
- 45.3
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 85254; 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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