Below Average
#1731 of 2,006 schools in AZ
Based on limited data
Desert Sunset Elementary School
Elementary School · Saddle Mountain Unified School District (4254)
30919 W. White Tanks Vista Dr, Buckeye, AZ 85396
Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on 24 schools in Buckeye. Learn more
Enrollment
672
Student-Teacher
28:1
Score
4.3
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
672
Student-Teacher
28:1
Score
4.3
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Arizona schools
#1,731 of 2,006
In Buckeye
#21 of 25
public schools
In district
#5 of 5
Saddle Mountain Unified School District (4254)
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Desert Sunset Elementary School
Elementary School in Buckeye · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Tartesso Elementary School
1.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Winters Well Elementary School
6.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Desert Sunset Elementary School
Desert Sunset Elementary School is a public elementary school in Buckeye, AZ, part of Saddle Mountain Unified School District (4254). Desert Sunset Elementary School serves approximately 672 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 28:1 student-teacher ratio. Desert Sunset Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.3 out of 10 and ranks #1,731 of 2,006 schools in AZ.
Based on limited data: 44% component coverage.
- This school 4.3 · Below Average
- District avg 5.6
- AZ avg 6.4
What Parents Should Know
Desert Sunset Elementary School runs 28:1 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.
Desert Sunset Elementary School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.
33% of students at Desert Sunset Elementary School 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
Partial Profile · 2/3 metricsRequires 2+ years of test data
View breakdown
Component weights adjusted due to data availability.
Test Scores
Test score data not yet available for this school.
How Desert Sunset Elementary School Compares
See how Desert Sunset Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
30919 W. White Tanks Vista Dr, Buckeye, AZ 85396
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Desert Sunset Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Marionneaux Elementary School (rated 7.6/10, 10.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Tartesso Elementary School (rated 6.6/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Steven R. Jasinski Elementary School (rated 6.6/10, 9.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Buckeye, see our Buckeye schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 10.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Tartesso Elementary School Buckeye | 1.7 mi | 6.6 |
| Winters Well Elementary School Tonopah | 6.4 mi | 5.8 |
| Westpark Elementary School Buckeye | 7.7 mi | 5.4 |
| Palo Verde Elementary School Palo Verde | 9.6 mi | 6.2 |
| Imagine Schools at Buckeye Buckeye | 8.7 mi | 5.7 |
| Skyview High School Buckeye | 8.9 mi | 4.3 |
| John S McCain III Elementary School Buckeye | 8.9 mi | 5.1 |
| Ruth Fisher Middle School Tonopah | 8.9 mi | 5.1 |
| Bales Elementary School Buckeye | 9.7 mi | 2.8 |
| Steven R. Jasinski Elementary School Buckeye | 9.4 mi | 6.6 |
| West-MEC - Youngker High School Buckeye | 9.4 mi | — |
| Youngker High School Buckeye | 9.4 mi | 5.0 |
| West-MEC - Tonopah Valley High School Tonopah | 9.0 mi | — |
| Tonopah Valley High School Tonopah | 9.0 mi | 6.8 |
| GRACE FELLOWSHIP ACADEMY Buckeye | 9.8 mi | 5.8 |
| ThrivePoint High School at Buckeye Glendale | 9.8 mi | 4.2 |
| Arlington Elementary School Arlington | 10.3 mi | 5.9 |
| Sundance Elementary Buckeye | 9.4 mi | 4.7 |
| Inca Elementary School Buckeye | 9.9 mi | 3.9 |
| Marionneaux Elementary School Buckeye | 10.3 mi | 7.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 85396 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$114,266
Median Home Value
$451,000
Median Rent
$2,047/mo
Population
38,489
College Educated
33.2%
Homeownership
93.5%
Avg Commute
34.1 min
Poverty Rate
5.9%
Median Age
40.3
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL SCHOOL Tempe, AZ | 4.3 |
| Pat Tillman Middle School Phoenix, AZ | 4.3 |
| ST JOHN XXIII CATHOLIC SCHOOL COMMUNITY Scottsdale, AZ | 4.3 |
| Calibre Academy Surprise Surprise, AZ | 4.2 |
| Desert Palms Elementary School Glendale, AZ | 4.2 |
| Douglas Elementary School Tucson, AZ | 4.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Desert Sunset Elementary School
What grades does Desert Sunset Elementary School serve?
Desert Sunset Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Desert Sunset Elementary School?
Desert Sunset Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 672 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Desert Sunset Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Desert Sunset Elementary School is 28:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Desert Sunset Elementary School rank in AZ?
Desert Sunset Elementary School ranks #1,731 of 2,006 schools in AZ.
What is Desert Sunset Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Desert Sunset Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.3 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
Is Desert Sunset Elementary School a charter school?
No, Desert Sunset Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Desert Sunset Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Desert Sunset Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
Neighborhood Context
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Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 672
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 28:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 24
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Maricopa County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 33.0%
- Phone
- (623) 474-5601
Resources & Links
District
Saddle Mountain Unified School District (4254)- District Enrollment
- 3,245
- Schools in District
- 6
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $10,380
- District Rank
- #5 of 5
Other Schools in This District
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