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Very Good

#355 of 2,000 schools in AZ

Top 18% in state

Desert Sonora Elementary School

Elementary School · Somerton Elementary District (4500)

PO BOX 3200, Somerton, AZ 85350

Enrollment

403

Student-Teacher

16.8:1

Score

7.7

Grades

Pre-K – 6th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Somerton

#1 of 4

public schools

Arizona elementary schools

#266 of 1,216

In district

#1 of 7

Somerton Elementary District (4500)

Academic performance

7.8 / 10

Very strong

About Desert Sonora Elementary School

Desert Sonora Elementary School is a public elementary school in Somerton, Arizona, serving students from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade. With an enrollment of 403 students and a student-teacher ratio of 16.8:1, the school provides personalized attention to its diverse student body. The dedicated teaching staff includes 24 full-time equivalent teachers who work hard to support each child’s educational needs.

Desert Sonora Elementary School has a MySchoolScout rating of 5.8 out of 10 and ranks at number 879 among the 2,029 schools in Arizona, placing it around the 57th percentile for academic performance statewide. The school's current proficiency rates show that 34% of students are proficient or above in math, while 33% meet or exceed standards in ELA and reading skills. These figures indicate areas where the school is focusing on student development to achieve higher levels of success.

Located at PO Box 3200, Desert Sonora Elementary School sits in a town that borders an urban area, offering students access to both small-town charm and city resources.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.6Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.85 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics7.8Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency38%
Reading/ELA Proficiency36%
Overall Proficiency37%
Expected (poverty-adj.)25%
vs. Expected+12.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile67th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment7.7Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,939

Desert Sonora Elementary School — Students at Desert Sonora Elementary School score 37% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 25%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

0.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores AZ EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 33.7%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 33.0%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from AZ state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
45%
ELA
36%
2021*
Math
18%
ELA
27%
2022
Math
38%
ELA
36%

* 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: 7.6/10.

How Desert Sonora Elementary School Compares

See how Desert Sonora Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.7/10
82th percentile in AZ
Academic
7.8/10
7.8/10
Growth
7.6/10
Above average
Environment
7.7/10
Above average

Location

PO BOX 3200, Somerton, AZ 85350

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Desert Sonora Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Orange Grove Elementary School (rated 6.9/10, 3.3 miles away), with a comparable rating. Another option is Gadsden Elementary School (rated 6.9/10, 5.0 miles away, in nearby San Luis), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Encanto Learning Center (rated 6.7/10, 0.2 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Somerton, see our Somerton schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 7.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Encanto Learning Center Somerton 0.2 mi 6.7
Somerton Middle School Somerton 0.5 mi 6.6
Bravie T. Soto Elementary School Somerton 0.4 mi 6.2
PPEP TEC - Jose Yepez Learning Center Tucson 0.5 mi 6.1
Tierra Del Sol Elementary School Somerton 0.8 mi 4.8
Orange Grove Elementary School Somerton 3.3 mi 6.9
Gadsden Elementary School San Luis 5.0 mi 6.9
Crane Middle School Yuma 5.5 mi 6.0
Mesquite Elementary Yuma 5.8 mi 6.7
Valley Horizon Elementary School Yuma 6.7 mi 3.0
Desert View Middle & High School Yuma 6.7 mi 6.9
Desert View Online School Yuma 6.7 mi
Desert View Elementary San Luis 6.8 mi 5.8
Gary A. Knox Elementary School Yuma 6.5 mi 4.8
Cibola High School Yuma 7.0 mi 5.0
YUMA CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Yuma 6.8 mi 5.8
Cesar Chavez Elementary San Luis 7.3 mi 4.3
Vista High School Yuma 6.8 mi 6.6
Yuma Online Distance Academy Yuma 6.8 mi 5.6
STEDY- San Luis HS Satellite Yuma 7.3 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 85350 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$72,115

Median Home Value

$211,200

Median Rent

$864/mo

Population

19,273

College Educated

15%

Homeownership

75%

Avg Commute

22.4 min

Poverty Rate

18.1%

Median Age

30.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding Desert Sonora Elementary School has a median household income of $72,115. It is a community where 15% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $211,200, with a median rent of $864/month. The area has a poverty rate of 18.1%. The average commute for residents is 22 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
Anthem School Anthem, AZ 7.7
Center for Educational Excellence Tempe, AZ 7.7
Da Vinci Tree Academy Tucson, AZ 7.7
Desert Valley Elementary School Glendale, AZ 7.7
Franklin Accelerated Academy - East Campus Mesa, AZ 7.7
Frye Elementary School Chandler, AZ 7.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Desert Sonora Elementary School

What grades does Desert Sonora Elementary School serve?

Desert Sonora Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.

How many students attend Desert Sonora Elementary School?

Desert Sonora Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 403 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Desert Sonora Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Desert Sonora Elementary School is 16.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Desert Sonora Elementary School rank in AZ?

Desert Sonora Elementary School is ranked #355 out of 2,000 schools in AZ.

What is Desert Sonora Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Desert Sonora Elementary School has a composite rating of 7.7 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 Sonora Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Desert Sonora Elementary School has 33.7% math proficiency and 33.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Desert Sonora Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is Desert Sonora Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Desert Sonora Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
73 Very Walkable
Bike Score
50 Bikeable
City Safety
Elevated (720/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Somerton). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
403
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
24
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Town
County
Yuma County
Data Year
2023–2024

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 methodology

Related reading

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