Average
#927 of 2,006 schools in AZ
Top 46% in state
Desert Star
Elementary School · Avondale Elementary District (4272)
2131 S 157TH AVE, Goodyear, AZ 85338
Enrollment
630
Student-Teacher
21:1
Score
6.5
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
630
Student-Teacher
21:1
Score
6.5
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Arizona schools
#927 of 2,006
In Goodyear
#8 of 15
public schools
In district
#4 of 9
Avondale Elementary District (4272)
Academic performance
7.0 / 10
Very Good
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Desert Star
Elementary School in Goodyear · grades Pre-K – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Legacy Traditional School - Goodyear
0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
West-mec - Desert Edge High School
0.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Desert Star
Desert Star is a public elementary school in Goodyear, AZ, part of Avondale Elementary District (4272). Desert Star serves approximately 630 students, and covers grades Pre-K-8th, and has a 21:1 student-teacher ratio. Desert Star has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.5 out of 10 and ranks #927 of 2,006 schools in AZ.
Structured state assessment records for Desert Star show 39% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 48% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 6.5 · Average
- District avg 6.1
- AZ avg 6.4
What Parents Should Know
Desert Star runs 21:1 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.
44% of students at Desert Star 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 Star — Students at Desert Star score 36% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 37%).
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: 6.8/10.
How Desert Star Compares
See how Desert Star 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
2131 S 157TH AVE, Goodyear, AZ 85338
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Desert Star may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Wildflower Accelerated Academy (rated 8.2/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is PALM VALLEY MONTESSORI L L C (rated 8.2/10, 1.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Somerset Academy Skyway Campus (rated 7.9/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. 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 | 4.5 |
| West-MEC - Desert Edge High School Goodyear | 0.7 mi | — |
| Desert Edge High School Goodyear | 0.7 mi | 6.2 |
| BASIS Goodyear Scottsdale | 0.9 mi | 7.5 |
| BASIS Goodyear Primary Scottsdale | 0.9 mi | 5.4 |
| Centerra Mirage STEM Academy Goodyear | 1.2 mi | 7.0 |
| Wildflower Accelerated Academy Goodyear | 1.3 mi | 8.2 |
| 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 | 6.1 |
| Somerset Academy Skyway Campus Goodyear | 2.0 mi | 7.9 |
| Incito Schools Goodyear | 2.1 mi | 5.0 |
| Desert Thunder Goodyear | 2.4 mi | 7.3 |
| The Odyssey Preparatory Academy Goodyear Buckeye | 2.6 mi | 6.8 |
| Michael Anderson Avondale | 2.6 mi | 6.3 |
| Great Hearts Academies - Archway Trivium Phoenix | 3.2 mi | 7.0 |
| Great Hearts Academies - Trivium Prep Phoenix | 3.2 mi | 8.4 |
| Lattie Coor Avondale | 2.8 mi | 2.2 |
| Estrella High School Avondale | 2.8 mi | 5.2 |
| 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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Champion Chandler Scottsdale, AZ | 6.5 |
| Coyote Springs Elementary School Prescott Valley, AZ | 6.5 |
| Desert Oasis Elementary School Wittmann, AZ | 6.5 |
| Fine Arts Academy Cashion, AZ | 6.5 |
| John E White Elementary School Tucson, AZ | 6.5 |
| John M Andersen Elementary School Chandler, AZ | 6.5 |
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 ranks #927 of 2,006 schools in AZ.
What is Desert Star's MySchoolScout rating?
Desert Star has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.5 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 Star?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Desert Star has 39% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 48% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
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 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 44.3%
- Phone
- (623) 772-4600
Resources & Links
District
Avondale Elementary District (4272)- District Enrollment
- 5,960
- Schools in District
- 9
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $10,264
- District Rank
- #4 of 9
Other Schools in This District
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