Below Average
#222 of 225 private schools in AZ
Desert Shadows Montessori
Elementary School
6709 E UNIVERSITY DR, Mesa, AZ 85205
Enrollment
35
Student-Teacher
35:1
Score
4.0
Grades
Pre-K – Kindergarten
Enrollment
35
Student-Teacher
35:1
Score
4.0
Grades
Pre-K – Kindergarten
Data vintage
2021-22
Data vintage2021-22
How this school compares
Arizona private schools
#222 of 225
In Mesa
#10 of 11
public schools
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Desert Shadows Montessori
Elementary School in Mesa · grades Pre-K – Kindergarten. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Fremont Junior High School
0.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Jefferson Elementary School
0.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Desert Shadows Montessori
Desert Shadows Montessori is a private elementary school in Mesa, AZ. Desert Shadows Montessori serves approximately 35 students, and covers grades Pre-K-Kindergarten, and has a 35:1 student-teacher ratio. Desert Shadows Montessori has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.0 out of 10 and ranks #222 of 225 private schools in AZ.
- This school 4.0 · Below Average
- AZ avg 6.4
What Parents Should Know
At 35 students, Desert Shadows Montessori is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.
Desert Shadows Montessori runs 35:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.
Desert Shadows Montessori is private, so it runs independently of the local district and sets its own curriculum. That freedom cuts both ways depending on what you want for your child. If you're considering it, start with the practical questions: tuition, financial aid, and how admissions work.
Compare to Public Schools
BetaHow Desert Shadows Montessori compares to 100 public schools serving similar grades in Mesa, AZ
Student Demographics
Nearby Elementary Schools
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Desert Shadows Montessori (this school) | 4.0 |
| Jefferson Elementary School | 8.1 |
| Salk Elementary School | 3.8 |
| Mendoza Elementary School | 8.0 |
| Falcon Hill Elementary School | 5.5 |
| Madison Elementary School | 6.0 |
| O'Connor Elementary School | 4.8 |
| Wilson Elementary School | 5.6 |
| Bush Elementary | 8.4 |
| Franklin Accelerated Academy - Brimhall Campus | 9.3 |
| Noah Webster Schools- Mesa | 7.1 |
| Pathfinder Academy | 7.7 |
| Self Development Charter School | 7.9 |
| Self Development Online Academy | — |
| Entz Elementary School | 8.3 |
| Las Sendas Elementary School | 9.0 |
| Cambridge Academy East | 4.3 |
| Astravo Online Academy | 4.9 |
| Astravo Online Academy | 3.0 |
| Superstition Springs Elementary | 8.8 |
| Stevenson Elementary School | 3.7 |
Showing 20 of 100 schools. View all schools in Mesa
Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.
Score Breakdown
PreliminaryWhat This Rating Measures
This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in AZ.
Data Unavailable
View data sources
Score basis: Private school model
Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data
Components scored: 4 of 5
Ranking pool: Private schools in AZ
Test Scores
Test score data not yet available for this school.
Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)
Location
6709 E UNIVERSITY DR, Mesa, AZ 85205
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Desert Shadows Montessori may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Bush Elementary (rated 8.4/10, 2.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Jefferson Elementary School (rated 8.1/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Mendoza Elementary School (rated 8.0/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Mesa, see our Mesa schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Fremont Junior High School Mesa | 0.7 mi | 6.3 |
| Jefferson Elementary School Mesa | 0.8 mi | 8.1 |
| Mesa Academy for Advanced Studies Mesa | 1.0 mi | 7.6 |
| Salk Elementary School Mesa | 1.0 mi | 3.8 |
| East Valley High School Mesa | 1.0 mi | 5.6 |
| Red Mountain High School Mesa | 1.2 mi | 7.8 |
| EVIT - Red Mountain High School Mesa | 1.2 mi | — |
| Shepherd Junior High School Mesa | 1.7 mi | 4.6 |
| Mendoza Elementary School Mesa | 1.8 mi | 8.0 |
| Falcon Hill Elementary School Mesa | 1.8 mi | 5.5 |
| MESA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Mesa | 1.6 mi | 6.8 |
| Madison Elementary School Mesa | 2.1 mi | 6.0 |
| Wilson Elementary School Mesa | 2.6 mi | 5.6 |
| O'Connor Elementary School Mesa | 2.3 mi | 4.8 |
| A PLACE 4 EVERYONE LEARNING CENTER Mesa | 3.0 mi | 6.7 |
| Bush Elementary Mesa | 2.7 mi | 8.4 |
| LUMOS ARTS ACADEMY Mesa | 3.1 mi | 6.6 |
| Noah Webster Schools- Mesa Mesa | 3.1 mi | 7.1 |
| Pathfinder Academy Mesa | 3.2 mi | 7.7 |
| Franklin Junior High School Mesa | 3.0 mi | 7.9 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 85205 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$71,294
Median Home Value
$301,200
Median Rent
$1,363/mo
Population
44,704
College Educated
29.5%
Homeownership
72.1%
Avg Commute
24 min
Poverty Rate
9.7%
Median Age
49.9
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Bouse Elementary School Bouse, AZ | 4.4 |
| IMMANUEL MISSION SCHOOL Teec Nos Pos, AZ | 4.8 |
| Mohave Valley Connections Academy Mohave Valley, AZ | 3.1 |
| Arizona Online Charter School Tucson, AZ | 4.9 |
| DESERT JEWISH ACADEMY Chandler, AZ | 5.1 |
| GRACEPOINTE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Tucson, AZ | 5.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Desert Shadows Montessori
What grades does Desert Shadows Montessori serve?
Desert Shadows Montessori serves students in grades Pre-K through Kindergarten.
How many students attend Desert Shadows Montessori?
Desert Shadows Montessori has an enrollment of approximately 35 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Desert Shadows Montessori?
The student-teacher ratio at Desert Shadows Montessori is 35:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.
How does Desert Shadows Montessori rank in AZ?
Desert Shadows Montessori ranks #222 of 225 private schools in AZ.
What is Desert Shadows Montessori's MySchoolScout rating?
Desert Shadows Montessori has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.0 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
Is Desert Shadows Montessori a private school?
Yes, Desert Shadows Montessori is a private coeducational school with a Nonsectarian affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.
Is Desert Shadows Montessori a religious school?
No, Desert Shadows Montessori is a nonsectarian (non-religious) private school.
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Neighborhood Context
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Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
- Grades
- Pre-K – Kindergarten
- Enrollment
- 35
- Gender Split
- 6% M / 94% F
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 35:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 1
- Type
- private
- Coed Status
- coed
- Affiliation
- Nonsectarian
- School Day
- 7 hours
- Days Per Year
- 215 days
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Maricopa County
- Phone
- (480) 830-5887
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