Very Good
#413 of 2,000 schools in AZ
Top 21% in state
Desert Star
Elementary School · Avondale Elementary District (4272)
2131 S 157TH AVE, Goodyear, AZ 85338
Enrollment
630
Student-Teacher
21:1
Score
7.5
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
630
Student-Teacher
21:1
Score
7.5
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Goodyear
#3 of 15
public schools
Arizona elementary schools
#303 of 1,216
In district
#1 of 9
Avondale Elementary District (4272)
Academic growth
8.8 / 10
Exceptional
About Desert Star
Desert Star is an elementary school located in the suburban area of Goodyear, Arizona, serving students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade. With an enrollment of 630 students and a student-teacher ratio of 21:1, Desert Star aims to provide a supportive educational environment. The school has 30 full-time equivalent teachers committed to nurturing the academic and social development of its students.
Desert Star's academic performance, as reflected in its MySchoolScout rating of 5.8 out of 10 and a state ranking of 902 out of 2029 schools, suggests there is room for improvement, particularly in test scores where 40% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading and 32% in Math. The school focuses on student development and strives to enhance its academic offerings to better serve its community. The neighborhood around Desert Star is characterized by a median household income of $93,435 and a median home value of $365,500.
About 30% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and the poverty rate is a low 5.7%. Desert Star is situated in a vibrant suburban community that values education and offers a supportive environment for students and families.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Desert Star is 21:1, 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
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Data not available for this school
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Desert Star — Students at Desert Star score 36% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 37%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
0.1%
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
→ StableAverage 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: 8.8/10.
How Desert Star Compares
See how Desert Star performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 38% (2019) to 32% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 35% (2019) to 40% (2022).
Location
2131 S 157TH AVE, Goodyear, AZ 85338
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Desert Star may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. PALM VALLEY MONTESSORI L L C (rated 8.2/10, 1.9 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Somerset Academy Skyway Campus (rated 7.8/10, 2.0 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Wildflower Accelerated Academy (rated 6.9/10, 1.3 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Goodyear, see our Goodyear schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Legacy Traditional School - Goodyear Goodyear | 0.6 mi | 3.7 |
| West-MEC - Desert Edge High School Goodyear | 0.7 mi | — |
| Desert Edge High School Goodyear | 0.7 mi | 5.3 |
| BASIS Goodyear Scottsdale | 0.9 mi | 5.4 |
| BASIS Goodyear Primary Scottsdale | 0.9 mi | 3.4 |
| Centerra Mirage STEM Academy Goodyear | 1.2 mi | 5.1 |
| Wildflower Accelerated Academy Goodyear | 1.3 mi | 6.9 |
| WEST VALLEY CHRISTAIN SCHOOL Goodyear | 1.8 mi | 6.0 |
| PALM VALLEY MONTESSORI L L C Goodyear | 1.9 mi | 8.2 |
| Copper Trails Goodyear | 1.8 mi | 5.3 |
| Somerset Academy Skyway Campus Goodyear | 2.0 mi | 7.8 |
| Incito Schools Goodyear | 2.1 mi | 6.0 |
| Desert Thunder Goodyear | 2.4 mi | 6.8 |
| The Odyssey Preparatory Academy Goodyear Buckeye | 2.6 mi | 4.6 |
| Michael Anderson Avondale | 2.6 mi | 5.6 |
| Great Hearts Academies - Archway Trivium Phoenix | 3.2 mi | 7.2 |
| Great Hearts Academies - Trivium Prep Phoenix | 3.2 mi | 7.3 |
| Lattie Coor Avondale | 2.8 mi | 3.6 |
| Estrella High School Avondale | 2.8 mi | 6.2 |
| ST JOHN VIANNEY CATHOLIC SCHOOL Goodyear | 2.9 mi | 4.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 85338 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$99,345
Median Home Value
$396,100
Median Rent
$1,822/mo
Population
64,448
College Educated
32.2%
Homeownership
76.1%
Avg Commute
31.1 min
Poverty Rate
6.1%
Median Age
37.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding Desert Star has a median household income of $99,345. It is an area where 32% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $396,100, with a median rent of $1,822/month. The local poverty rate of 6.1% is relatively low. 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 |
|---|---|
| Benjamin Franklin Charter School - Crismon Queen Creek, AZ | 7.5 |
| Burk Elementary School Gilbert, AZ | 7.5 |
| Desert Oasis Elementary School Tolleson, AZ | 7.5 |
| Mabel Padgett Elementary School Litchfield Park, AZ | 7.5 |
| Mercury Mine Elementary School Phoenix, AZ | 7.5 |
| Michael T. Hughes Elementary School Mesa, AZ | 7.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Desert Star
What grades does Desert Star serve?
Desert Star serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.
How many students attend Desert Star?
Desert Star has an enrollment of approximately 630 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Desert Star?
The student-teacher ratio at Desert Star is 21:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Desert Star rank in AZ?
Desert Star is ranked #413 out of 2,000 schools in AZ.
What is Desert Star's MySchoolScout rating?
Desert Star has a composite rating of 7.5 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 Star?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Desert Star has 33.7% math proficiency and 35.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Desert Star a charter school?
No, Desert Star is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Desert Star a Title I school?
No, Desert Star is not currently a Title I school.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Goodyear). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 8th
- Enrollment
- 630
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 21:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 30
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Maricopa County
- Phone
- (623) 772-4600
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Avondale Elementary District (4272)- District Enrollment
- 5,960
- Schools in District
- 9
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $10,264
- District Rank
- #1 of 9
Other Schools in This District
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
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