Average
#892 of 2,000 schools in AZ
Top 45% in state
Desert Shadows Middle School
Middle School · Nogales Unified District (4457)
340 Blvd. del Rey David, Nogales, AZ 85621
Enrollment
765
Student-Teacher
22.5:1
Score
6.5
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
765
Student-Teacher
22.5:1
Score
6.5
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Nogales
#1 of 2
public schools
Arizona middle schools
#100 of 218
In district
#5 of 11
Nogales Unified District (4457)
Academic performance
7.8 / 10
Very strong
About Desert Shadows Middle School
Desert Shadows Middle School serves grades 6 through 8 in Nogales, Arizona, with an enrollment of 765 students. Located at 340 Blvd. del Rey David in rural Santa Cruz County, the school is a regular public institution with 34 full-time equivalent teachers and a student-teacher ratio of 22.5 to 1. Academically, the school is working to strengthen its performance.
Currently, 34 percent of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 28 percent meet proficiency benchmarks in math. With a MySchoolScout academic score of 5.9 out of 10, Desert Shadows ranks 1,330th among Arizona's 2,029 schools, placing it in the 34th percentile statewide. These results indicate significant opportunity for academic growth and development.
The school's rural location near Nogales provides a unique community setting for its middle grade students.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Desert Shadows Middle School is 22.5:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.
Located in a rural area, Desert Shadows Middle School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Desert Shadows Middle School — Students at Desert Shadows Middle School score 34% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 15%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
0.3%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores AZ EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 test records from AZ state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 6.7/10.
How Desert Shadows Middle School Compares
See how Desert Shadows Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 41% (2019) to 28% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 38% (2019) to 39% (2022).
Location
340 Blvd. del Rey David, Nogales, AZ 85621
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Desert Shadows Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Nogales High School (rated 8.0/10, 2.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Pierson High School (rated 7.5/10, 4.6 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Challenger Elementary School (rated 7.1/10, 3.9 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Nogales, see our Nogales schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 5.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Robert Bracker Elementary Nogales | 0.1 mi | 5.6 |
| Francisco Vasquez De Coronado Elementary School Nogales | 2.0 mi | 4.7 |
| Calabasas School Rio Rico | 2.4 mi | 6.0 |
| SONSHINE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Nogales | 2.6 mi | 5.1 |
| Nogales High School Nogales | 2.7 mi | 8.0 |
| Mexicayotl Charter School Nogales | 3.1 mi | 5.3 |
| Pinnacle Charter High School Tempe | 3.2 mi | 5.8 |
| Wade Carpenter Middle School Nogales | 4.0 mi | 6.6 |
| Mary L Welty Elementary School Nogales | 4.2 mi | 4.4 |
| Challenger Elementary School Nogales | 3.9 mi | 7.1 |
| A J Mitchell Elementary School Nogales | 4.2 mi | 5.0 |
| SACRED HEART SCHOOL Nogales | 4.6 mi | 5.2 |
| LOURDES CATHOLIC SCHOOL Nogales | 4.3 mi | 4.6 |
| Pierson High School Nogales | 4.6 mi | 7.5 |
| NUSD Online Nogales | 4.6 mi | 4.8 |
| Colegio Petite Arizona Phoenix | 4.5 mi | 5.6 |
| EdOptions Preparatory Academy Tempe | 4.7 mi | 6.1 |
| SACRED HEART CATHOLIC SCHOOL Nogales | 4.8 mi | 4.8 |
| Lincoln Elementary School Nogales | 4.7 mi | 4.6 |
| San Cayetano Elementary School Rio Rico | 5.3 mi | 4.0 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 85621 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$41,309
Median Home Value
$173,600
Median Rent
$700/mo
Population
21,512
College Educated
18.5%
Homeownership
50.7%
Avg Commute
20 min
Poverty Rate
25%
Median Age
37.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding Desert Shadows Middle School has a median household income of $41,309. It is a community where 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $173,600, with a median rent of $700/month. The area has a poverty rate of 25.0%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 20 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 |
|---|---|
| Kingman Middle School Kingman, AZ | 6.5 |
| Kyrene Altadena Middle School Phoenix, AZ | 6.5 |
| Marana Middle School Marana, AZ | 6.5 |
| Poston Junior High School Mesa, AZ | 6.5 |
| San Luis Middle School San Luis, AZ | 6.5 |
| Connolly Middle School Tempe, AZ | 6.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Desert Shadows Middle School
What grades does Desert Shadows Middle School serve?
Desert Shadows Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Desert Shadows Middle School?
Desert Shadows Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 765 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Desert Shadows Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at Desert Shadows Middle School is 22.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Desert Shadows Middle School rank in AZ?
Desert Shadows Middle School is ranked #892 out of 2,000 schools in AZ.
What is Desert Shadows Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Desert Shadows Middle School has a composite rating of 6.5 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 Shadows Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Desert Shadows Middle School has 27.7% math proficiency and 34.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Desert Shadows Middle School a charter school?
No, Desert Shadows Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Desert Shadows Middle School a Title I school?
No, Desert Shadows Middle School is not currently a Title I school.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (3,830/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Nogales). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 765
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 22.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 34
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Santa Cruz County
- Phone
- (520) 377-2646
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Nogales Unified District (4457)- District Enrollment
- 5,701
- Schools in District
- 11
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $9,157
- District Rank
- #5 of 11
Other Schools in This District
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 methodologyRelated reading
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