Below Average
#1699 of 2,000 schools in AZ
Desert Vista Elementary School
Elementary School · Apache Junction Unified District (4443)
3701 E BROADWAY AVE, Apache Junction, AZ 85119
Enrollment
501
Student-Teacher
18.6:1
Score
4.7
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
501
Student-Teacher
18.6:1
Score
4.7
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Apache Junction
#5 of 9
public schools
Arizona elementary schools
#1,000 of 1,216
In district
#2 of 5
Apache Junction Unified District (4443)
About Desert Vista Elementary School
Desert Vista Elementary School is a regular public elementary school located in Apache Junction, Arizona, in the heart of Pinal County. Nestled in a rural setting near the town, the school serves students from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade. With an enrollment of 501 students, Desert Vista offers a student-teacher ratio of 18.6:1, ensuring a supportive and engaging educational environment.
The school's staff consists of 27 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to nurturing young minds. Academically, Desert Vista Elementary School has a MySchoolScout rating of 4.5 out of 10, ranking it 34th percentile among Arizona schools. The school's ELA and reading proficiency stands at 24% and math proficiency at 20%, indicating areas where the school is focusing on student development.
Despite these figures, the community around Desert Vista Elementary is supportive and engaged, with a median household income of $65,939 and a median home value of $238,900. The neighborhood also boasts a college-educated population of 24%, contributing to a vibrant and caring community. Desert Vista Elementary School sits in a picturesque rural area that offers a close-knit and nurturing environment for its students.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Desert Vista Elementary School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
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Desert Vista Elementary School — Students at Desert Vista Elementary School score 22% 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
↓ 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: 4.0/10.
How Desert Vista Elementary School Compares
See how Desert Vista Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 34% (2019) to 20% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 38% (2019) to 24% (2022).
Location
3701 E BROADWAY AVE, Apache Junction, AZ 85119
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Desert Vista Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Meridian (rated 8.7/10, 6.6 miles away, in nearby Mesa), which scores notably higher. Another option is American Leadership Academy Mesa K-6 (rated 8.0/10, 7.0 miles away, in nearby Chandler), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Avalon Elementary (rated 6.0/10, 2.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Apache Junction, see our Apache Junction schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 7.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Four Peaks Elementary School Apache Junction | 2.9 mi | 3.9 |
| Avalon Elementary Apache Junction | 2.8 mi | 6.0 |
| Apache Trail High School Apache Junction | 2.9 mi | 6.0 |
| Cactus Canyon Junior High Apache Junction | 3.0 mi | 5.4 |
| ARCHES Academy Apache Jct | 3.2 mi | 3.9 |
| Apache Junction High School Apache Junction | 3.4 mi | 4.0 |
| EVIT East Apache Junction Mesa | 3.4 mi | — |
| Imagine Prep Superstition Apache Junction | 3.5 mi | 4.1 |
| Imagine Superstition Middle Apache Junction | 3.5 mi | 4.9 |
| Brinton Elementary Mesa | 4.5 mi | 4.9 |
| Sousa Elementary School Mesa | 5.0 mi | 4.4 |
| Patterson Elementary Mesa | 5.7 mi | 5.2 |
| Peralta Trail Elementary School Apache Junction | 6.4 mi | 4.6 |
| Legacy Traditional School - East Mesa Chandler | 6.3 mi | 4.2 |
| Meridian Mesa | 6.6 mi | 8.7 |
| Skyline High School Mesa | 6.2 mi | 6.2 |
| EVIT - Skyline High School Mesa | 6.2 mi | — |
| Leading Edge Academy at East Mesa Gilbert | 6.3 mi | 5.2 |
| Smith Junior High School Mesa | 6.4 mi | 6.8 |
| American Leadership Academy Mesa K-6 Chandler | 7.0 mi | 8.0 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 85119 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$69,949
Median Home Value
$259,100
Median Rent
$1,365/mo
Population
25,611
College Educated
22.6%
Homeownership
78.5%
Avg Commute
29.6 min
Poverty Rate
9.9%
Median Age
49.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding Desert Vista Elementary School has a median household income of $69,949. It is a community where 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $259,100, with a median rent of $1,365/month. The local poverty rate of 9.9% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 30 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 |
|---|---|
| Cecil Shamley School Tempe, AZ | 4.7 |
| Douglas Elementary School Tucson, AZ | 4.7 |
| Francisco Vasquez De Coronado Elementary School Nogales, AZ | 4.7 |
| Gila Bend Elementary Gila Bend, AZ | 4.7 |
| John E White Elementary School Tucson, AZ | 4.7 |
| Kingman Academy of Learning - Intermediate School Kingman, AZ | 4.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Desert Vista Elementary School
What grades does Desert Vista Elementary School serve?
Desert Vista Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.
How many students attend Desert Vista Elementary School?
Desert Vista Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 501 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Desert Vista Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Desert Vista Elementary School is 18.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Desert Vista Elementary School rank in AZ?
Desert Vista Elementary School is ranked #1699 out of 2,000 schools in AZ.
What is Desert Vista Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Desert Vista Elementary School has a composite rating of 4.7 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 Vista Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Desert Vista Elementary School has 24.0% math proficiency and 28.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Desert Vista Elementary School a charter school?
No, Desert Vista Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Desert Vista Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Desert Vista Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (1,948/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Apache Junction). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 6th
- Enrollment
- 501
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 18.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 27
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Pinal County
- Phone
- (480) 677-7510
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Apache Junction Unified District (4443)- District Enrollment
- 2,710
- Schools in District
- 6
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,498
- District Rank
- #2 of 5
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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