Average
#723 of 2,000 schools in AZ
Top 36% in state
Desert Thunder
Elementary School · Avondale Elementary District (4272)
16750 W GARFIELD ST, Goodyear, AZ 85338
Enrollment
946
Student-Teacher
22.5:1
Score
6.8
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
946
Student-Teacher
22.5:1
Score
6.8
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Goodyear
#6 of 15
public schools
Arizona elementary schools
#482 of 1,216
In district
#3 of 9
Avondale Elementary District (4272)
Academic performance
8.0 / 10
Very strong
About Desert Thunder
Desert Thunder serves 946 students from prekindergarten through eighth grade in Goodyear, Arizona. This regular public elementary school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 22.5:1 with 42 full-time equivalent teachers on staff. Academically, Desert Thunder earns a MySchoolScout rating of 6.4 out of 10 and ranks #683 out of 2,029 schools statewide, placing it in the 66th percentile among Arizona schools.
The school shows solid performance with an academic score of 7.2 out of 10. In standardized testing, 46% of students demonstrate proficiency or above in English Language Arts and Reading, while 42% achieve proficiency or above in mathematics across all grade levels. Desert Thunder operates in an affluent suburban community where families enjoy a median household income of $93,435 and median home values of $365,500.
The surrounding ZIP code of 85338 is home to 60,922 residents, with 30% holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a low poverty rate of just 5.7%. This economic stability provides a supportive foundation for the school's educational mission. The school is situated in Goodyear's large suburban setting, offering students access to the resources and opportunities that come with living in a thriving, family-oriented community in the Phoenix metropolitan area.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Desert Thunder is 22.5:1, 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 Thunder — Students at Desert Thunder score 44% proficient, which is above 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
↓ 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: 6.9/10.
How Desert Thunder Compares
See how Desert Thunder performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 52% (2019) to 42% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 48% (2019) to 46% (2022).
Location
16750 W GARFIELD ST, Goodyear, AZ 85338
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Desert Thunder may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. PALM VALLEY MONTESSORI L L C (rated 8.2/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Somerset Academy Skyway Campus (rated 7.8/10, 2.3 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Desert Star (rated 7.5/10, 2.4 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Goodyear, see our Goodyear schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.5 miNeighborhood 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 Thunder 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 |
|---|---|
| Frontier Elementary School Peoria, AZ | 6.8 |
| Higley Traditional Academy Gilbert, AZ | 6.8 |
| Imagine Coolidge Elementary Phoenix, AZ | 6.8 |
| Ishikawa Elementary School Mesa, AZ | 6.8 |
| Jefferson Elementary School Mesa, AZ | 6.8 |
| Las Brisas Academy Goodyear, AZ | 6.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Desert Thunder
What grades does Desert Thunder serve?
Desert Thunder serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.
How many students attend Desert Thunder?
Desert Thunder has an enrollment of approximately 946 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Desert Thunder?
The student-teacher ratio at Desert Thunder is 22.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Desert Thunder rank in AZ?
Desert Thunder is ranked #723 out of 2,000 schools in AZ.
What is Desert Thunder's MySchoolScout rating?
Desert Thunder has a composite rating of 6.8 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 Thunder?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Desert Thunder has 41.3% math proficiency and 44.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Desert Thunder a charter school?
No, Desert Thunder is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Desert Thunder a Title I school?
No, Desert Thunder 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
- 946
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 22.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 42
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Maricopa County
- Phone
- (623) 772-4700
- 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
- #3 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
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.