Needs Improvement
#1967 of 2,000 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
3.5
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
683
Student-Teacher
20.1:1
Score
3.5
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Glendale
#76 of 76
public schools
Arizona elementary schools
#1,192 of 1,216
In district
#14 of 14
Glendale Elementary District (4271)
About Desert Spirit
Desert Spirit is a regular public elementary school in Glendale, Arizona, located at 7355 W Orangewood Ave. The school serves students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade, though it primarily functions as an elementary school with grades PK to 8. With a student body of 683 and a student-teacher ratio of 20.1:1, Desert Spirit has 34 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to the students' education.
Academically, Desert Spirit currently ranks in the lower quartile of schools in Arizona, with room for growth. The school's MySchoolScout rating is 2.6 out of 10, and its academic score stands at 2.3/10, reflecting areas where improvement could be beneficial. In terms of proficiency rates, both English Language Arts and Math see approximately 22% of students meeting or exceeding standards across all grades.
Desert Spirit sits in a large suburban area, offering a community feel with plenty of space for outdoor activities and engagement within the neighborhood.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Desert Spirit is 20.1:1, 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
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
Desert Spirit — Students at Desert Spirit score 14% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 26%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
0.2%
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
↓ 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: 2.4/10.
How Desert Spirit Compares
See how Desert Spirit performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 38% (2019) to 12% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 31% (2019) to 17% (2022).
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 7.8/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Cotton Boll School (rated 6.7/10, 1.8 miles away, in nearby Peoria), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Don Mensendick School (rated 6.4/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores notably 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 | 5.0 |
| Independence High School Glendale | 0.9 mi | 5.4 |
| West-MEC - Independence High School Glendale | 0.9 mi | — |
| Challenger Middle School Glendale | 1.0 mi | 5.4 |
| Discovery School Glendale | 1.2 mi | 4.0 |
| Glendale High School Glendale | 1.4 mi | 5.4 |
| West-MEC - Glendale High School Glendale | 1.4 mi | — |
| Harold W Smith School Glendale | 1.5 mi | 4.4 |
| Westland School Brighton Campus Phoenix | 1.8 mi | 6.0 |
| Desert Mirage Elementary School Glendale | 1.8 mi | 6.3 |
| Cotton Boll School Peoria | 1.8 mi | 6.7 |
| Don Mensendick School Glendale | 2.0 mi | 6.4 |
| Bicentennial South School Glendale | 2.1 mi | 3.9 |
| William C Jack School Glendale | 2.1 mi | 6.3 |
| Crown Point High School Glendale | 1.8 mi | 5.9 |
| Santa Fe Elementary School Peoria | 2.2 mi | 6.2 |
| Glendale Elementary Online (G.E.O.) Learning Glendale | 2.0 mi | 7.8 |
| Glendale Landmark School Glendale | 2.0 mi | 3.7 |
| Camelback Academy Glendale | 2.4 mi | 4.3 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Desert Spirit has a median household income of $75,077. It is a community where 14% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $286,800, with a median rent of $1,476/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.1%. The average commute for residents is 31 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 |
|---|---|
| Bret R. Tarver Leadership Academy Phoenix, AZ | 3.5 |
| Brunson-Lee Elementary School Phoenix, AZ | 3.5 |
| Cholla Elementary School Casa Grande, AZ | 3.5 |
| Heatherbrae School Phoenix, AZ | 3.5 |
| La Paloma Academy (Lakeside) Tucson, AZ | 3.5 |
| Stevenson Elementary School Mesa, AZ | 3.5 |
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 is ranked #1967 out of 2,000 schools in AZ.
What is Desert Spirit's MySchoolScout rating?
Desert Spirit has a composite rating of 3.5 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 Spirit?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Desert Spirit has 22.0% math proficiency and 22.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
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
- City Safety
- High (3,171/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Glendale). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (623) 237-4016
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Glendale Elementary District (4271)- District Enrollment
- 8,858
- Schools in District
- 14
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $10,795
- District Rank
- #14 of 14
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
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.