Very Good
#278 of 2,000 schools in AZ
Top 14% in state
Desert Shadows Middle School
Middle School · Paradise Valley Unified District (4241)
5858 E SWEETWATER AVE, Scottsdale, AZ 85254
Enrollment
734
Student-Teacher
21:1
Score
7.9
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
734
Student-Teacher
21:1
Score
7.9
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Scottsdale
#17 of 41
public schools
Arizona middle schools
#15 of 218
In district
#24 of 44
Paradise Valley Unified District (4241)
Academic performance
8.9 / 10
Exceptional
About Desert Shadows Middle School
Desert Shadows Middle School serves 734 students in grades 6 through 8 in Scottsdale, Arizona, with a student-teacher ratio of 21:1 supported by 35 full-time equivalent teachers. The school demonstrates strong academic performance, earning a 7.4 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking in the 83rd percentile statewide at #343 out of 2,029 Arizona schools. Academic achievement is particularly notable, with the school receiving an 8.7 out of 10 academic score.
Students show solid proficiency rates with 63% meeting or exceeding standards in English Language Arts and Reading, while 53% demonstrate proficiency in mathematics across all grade levels. These results reflect the school's commitment to middle school education during these crucial transitional years. The school serves an affluent community where 59% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, and the median household income reaches $114,968.
With a low poverty rate of just 5.7% and median home values of $634,400, the neighborhood reflects the educational priorities typical of well-established Scottsdale families. Desert Shadows Middle School operates within this supportive environment in one of Arizona's most desirable suburban communities, where educational excellence aligns with strong community investment in student success.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Desert Shadows Middle School is 21:1, 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.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Desert Shadows Middle School — Students at Desert Shadows Middle School score 58% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 44%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
0.1%
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
→ StableAverage 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: 8.3/10.
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 57% (2019) to 53% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 63% (2019) to 63% (2022).
Location
5858 E SWEETWATER AVE, Scottsdale, AZ 85254
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Desert Shadows Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Sunrise Middle School (rated 8.4/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Cocopah Middle School (rated 7.8/10, 1.5 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Scottsdale, see our Scottsdale schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.1 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 85254 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$120,885
Median Home Value
$701,900
Median Rent
$1,954/mo
Population
46,655
College Educated
60.3%
Homeownership
72.9%
Avg Commute
23.1 min
Poverty Rate
5.2%
Median Age
45.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding Desert Shadows Middle School has a median household income of $120,885. It is a well-educated community where 60% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $701,900, with a median rent of $1,954/month. The local poverty rate of 5.2% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 23 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 |
|---|---|
| Esperero Canyon Middle School Tucson, AZ | 7.9 |
| South Valley Jr. High Gilbert, AZ | 8.0 |
| Cocopah Middle School Scottsdale, AZ | 7.8 |
| Corona Foothills Middle School Corona De Tucson, AZ | 7.8 |
| Desert Foothills Middle School Phoenix, AZ | 7.8 |
| Highland Jr High School Mesa, AZ | 7.8 |
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 734 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Desert Shadows Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at Desert Shadows Middle School is 21:1. 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 #278 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 7.9 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 51.7% math proficiency and 59.3% 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.
Neighborhood Context
- Walk Score
- 8 Car-Dependent
- Transit Score
- 0 Minimal Transit
- Bike Score
- 54 Bikeable
- City Safety
- High (2,031/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Scottsdale). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 734
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 21:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 35
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Maricopa County
- Phone
- (602) 449-6800
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Paradise Valley Unified District (4241)- District Enrollment
- 27,034
- Schools in District
- 45
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,848
- District Rank
- #24 of 44
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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