Average
#1385 of 2,006 schools in AZ
Desert Spirit
Elementary School · Glendale Elementary District (4271)
7355 W ORANGEWOOD AVE, Glendale, AZ 85303
Enrollment
683
Student-Teacher
20.1:1
Score
5.3
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
683
Student-Teacher
20.1:1
Score
5.3
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Arizona schools
#1,385 of 2,006
In Glendale
#48 of 82
public schools
In district
#6 of 14
Glendale Elementary District (4271)
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Desert Spirit
Elementary School in Glendale · grades Pre-K – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Sunset Vista
0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Desert Garden Elementary School
0.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Desert Spirit
Desert Spirit is a public elementary school in Glendale, AZ, part of Glendale Elementary District (4271). Desert Spirit serves approximately 683 students, and covers grades Pre-K-8th, and has a 20.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Desert Spirit has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.3 out of 10 and ranks #1,385 of 2,006 schools in AZ.
Structured state assessment records for Desert Spirit show 33% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 37% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 5.3 · Average
- District avg 5.1
- AZ avg 6.4
What Parents Should Know
Test scores at Desert Spirit sit below average, but its growth scores are strong: students here make above-average progress year over year. The raw numbers haven't caught up, but a school that keeps moving kids forward is doing the harder, more important work.
Desert Spirit runs 20.1:1 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.
64% of students at Desert Spirit 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Desert Spirit — Students at Desert Spirit score 14% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 26%).
Test Scores AZ EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 28 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: 6.6/10.
How Desert Spirit Compares
See how Desert Spirit performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
7355 W ORANGEWOOD AVE, Glendale, AZ 85303
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Desert Spirit may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Glendale Elementary Online (G.E.O.) Learning (rated 7.7/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Sunset Vista (rated 6.0/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Cotton Boll School (rated 5.8/10, 1.8 miles away, in nearby Peoria), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Glendale, see our Glendale schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Sunset Vista Glendale | 0.5 mi | 6.0 |
| Desert Garden Elementary School Glendale | 0.7 mi | 5.7 |
| Independence High School Glendale | 0.9 mi | 6.9 |
| West-MEC - Independence High School Glendale | 0.9 mi | — |
| Challenger Middle School Glendale | 1.0 mi | 5.4 |
| Discovery School Glendale | 1.2 mi | 4.5 |
| Glendale High School Glendale | 1.4 mi | 6.1 |
| West-MEC - Glendale High School Glendale | 1.4 mi | — |
| Harold W Smith School Glendale | 1.5 mi | 4.7 |
| Westland School Brighton Campus Phoenix | 1.8 mi | 7.2 |
| Desert Mirage Elementary School Glendale | 1.8 mi | 5.1 |
| Cotton Boll School Peoria | 1.8 mi | 5.8 |
| Don Mensendick School Glendale | 2.0 mi | 4.4 |
| Bicentennial South School Glendale | 2.1 mi | 3.4 |
| William C Jack School Glendale | 2.1 mi | 5.6 |
| Crown Point High School Glendale | 1.8 mi | 4.1 |
| Santa Fe Elementary School Peoria | 2.2 mi | 5.0 |
| Glendale Elementary Online (G.E.O.) Learning Glendale | 2.0 mi | 7.7 |
| Glendale Landmark School Glendale | 2.0 mi | 5.2 |
| Camelback Academy Glendale | 2.4 mi | 4.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 85303 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$75,077
Median Home Value
$286,800
Median Rent
$1,476/mo
Population
34,769
College Educated
13.6%
Homeownership
62.2%
Avg Commute
31.2 min
Poverty Rate
14.1%
Median Age
30.1
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| CHRIST LUTHERAN SCHOOL Phoenix, AZ | 5.3 |
| Champion Schools Phoenix, AZ | 5.3 |
| Debbie Braff Elementary School Kayenta, AZ | 5.3 |
| Dos Rios Elementary Tolleson, AZ | 5.3 |
| Excelencia School Phoenix, AZ | 5.3 |
| G. Frank Davidson Phoenix, AZ | 5.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Desert Spirit
What grades does Desert Spirit serve?
Desert Spirit serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.
How many students attend Desert Spirit?
Desert Spirit has an enrollment of approximately 683 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Desert Spirit?
The student-teacher ratio at Desert Spirit is 20.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Desert Spirit rank in AZ?
Desert Spirit ranks #1,385 of 2,006 schools in AZ.
What is Desert Spirit's MySchoolScout rating?
Desert Spirit has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.3 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 Spirit?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Desert Spirit has 33% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 37% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
Is Desert Spirit a charter school?
No, Desert Spirit is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Desert Spirit a Title I school?
No, Desert Spirit is not currently a Title I school.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 8th
- Enrollment
- 683
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 20.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 34
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Maricopa County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 63.7%
- Phone
- (623) 237-4016
Resources & Links
District
Glendale Elementary District (4271)- District Enrollment
- 8,858
- Schools in District
- 14
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $10,795
- District Rank
- #6 of 14
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