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Average

#1286 of 2,006 schools in AZ

Desert Sky Middle School

Middle School · Deer Valley Unified District (4246)

5130 W GROVERS AVE, Glendale, AZ 85308

Enrollment

647

Student-Teacher

22.3:1

Score

5.6

Grades

7th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Arizona schools

#1,286 of 2,006

In Glendale

#43 of 82

public schools

In district

#39 of 41

Deer Valley Unified District (4246)

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Desert Sky Middle School

5.6/10

Middle School in Glendale · grades 7th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Deer Valley Academy

Nearby

0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Deer Valley High School

7.5/10

0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Desert Sky Middle School

Desert Sky Middle School is a public middle school in Glendale, AZ, part of Deer Valley Unified District (4246). Desert Sky Middle School serves approximately 647 students, and covers grades 7th-8th, and has a 22.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Desert Sky Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.6 out of 10 and ranks #1,286 of 2,006 schools in AZ.

Structured state assessment records for Desert Sky Middle School show 46% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 54% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 5.6 · Average
  • District avg 5.8
  • AZ avg 5.6

What Parents Should Know

Desert Sky Middle School runs 22.3:1 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.

46% of students at Desert Sky Middle School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress5.7Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-3.36 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics6.4Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency34% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency38% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency36% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)46% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-9.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile48th
Resources & Environment4.4Below Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio22.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,940
Chronic Absenteeism46.2%

Desert Sky Middle School — Students at Desert Sky Middle School score 36% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).

How we calculate scores →

Test Scores AZ EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 46.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 54.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 28 test records from AZ state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
59%
ELA
80%
2010
Math
59%
ELA
81%
2011
Math
64%
ELA
84%
2012
Math
63%
ELA
82%
2013
Math
66%
ELA
83%
2014
Math
33%
ELA
30%
2015
Math
33%
ELA
40%
2016
Math
40%
ELA
38%
2017
Math
42%
ELA
42%
2018
Math
42%
ELA
42%
2019
Math
42%
ELA
42%
2020*
Math
34%
ELA
37%
2021*
Math
34%
ELA
37%
2022
Math
34%
ELA
38%

* 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: 5.7/10.

How Desert Sky Middle School Compares

See how Desert Sky Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.6/10
36th percentile in AZ
Academic
6.4/10
Average
Growth
5.7/10
Average
Environment
4.4/10
Below Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Teaching Staff
22:1 student-teacher ratio
29 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
46.2%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

5130 W GROVERS AVE, Glendale, AZ 85308

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Desert Sky Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Traditional Academy at Bellair (rated 9.4/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Highland Lakes School (rated 8.8/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Challenge Charter School (rated 7.8/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Glendale, see our Glendale schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Deer Valley Academy Phoenix 0.3 mi
Deer Valley High School Glendale 0.4 mi 7.5
West-MEC - Deer Valley High School Glendale 0.4 mi
ThrivePoint High School at Grovers Glendale 0.5 mi 3.1
ThrivePoint Online High School Glendale 0.5 mi 4.2
Traditional Academy at Bellair Glendale 0.5 mi 9.4
Intelli-School Glendale Glendale 0.7 mi 5.8
Challenge Charter School Glendale 0.9 mi 7.8
Canyon Elementary School Glendale 1.1 mi 7.7
Sunflower School Glendale 1.1 mi
Desert Heights Charter School Glendale 1.2 mi 6.8
Mountain Shadows Elementary School Glendale 1.3 mi 7.4
Greenbrier Elementary School Glendale 1.4 mi 7.7
Mirage Elementary School Glendale 1.5 mi 6.5
Highland Lakes School Glendale 1.6 mi 8.8
ARROWHEAD CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Glendale 1.7 mi 6.2
Foothills Elementary School Glendale 2.0 mi 4.5
Kachina Elementary School Glendale 2.2 mi 4.7
Peoria eCampus Peoria 2.2 mi 5.9
Cactus High School Glendale 2.1 mi 6.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 85308 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$95,512

Median Home Value

$420,100

Median Rent

$1,777/mo

Population

65,159

College Educated

37.7%

Homeownership

71.9%

Avg Commute

24.5 min

Poverty Rate

9.4%

Median Age

41.7

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Avondale Middle School Avondale, AZ 5.6
L. Thomas Heck Middle School Litchfield Park, AZ 5.6
Joyce Clark Middle School Sierra Vista, AZ 5.5
ASU Preparatory Academy - Phoenix Middle School Phoenix, AZ 5.7
Doolen Middle School Tucson, AZ 5.7
Madison Park School Phoenix, AZ 5.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Desert Sky Middle School

What grades does Desert Sky Middle School serve?

Desert Sky Middle School serves students in grades 7th through 8th.

How many students attend Desert Sky Middle School?

Desert Sky Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 647 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Desert Sky Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at Desert Sky Middle School is 22.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Desert Sky Middle School rank in AZ?

Desert Sky Middle School ranks #1,286 of 2,006 schools in AZ.

What is Desert Sky Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Desert Sky Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.6 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 Sky Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Desert Sky Middle School has 46% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 54% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Desert Sky Middle School a charter school?

No, Desert Sky Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Desert Sky Middle School a Title I school?

No, Desert Sky Middle School is not currently a Title I school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
45 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
27 Some Transit
Bike Score
55 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
647
Student-Teacher Ratio
22.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
29
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Maricopa County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
46.2%

District

Deer Valley Unified District (4246)
District Enrollment
32,837
Schools in District
41
Per-Pupil Spending
$10,940
District Rank
#39 of 41

How we rate schools

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