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Below Average

#1801 of 2,000 schools in AZ

Desert Willow Elementary School

Elementary School · Casa Grande Elementary District (4446)

2172 N ARIZOLA RD, Casa Grande, AZ 85122

Enrollment

465

Student-Teacher

22.1:1

Score

4.4

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Casa Grande

#11 of 15

public schools

Arizona elementary schools

#1,062 of 1,216

In district

#8 of 14

Casa Grande Elementary District (4446)

About Desert Willow Elementary School

Desert Willow Elementary School in Casa Grande, Arizona, is a regular public school serving pre-kindergarten through eighth grade students. With an enrollment of 465 students and a student-teacher ratio of 22.1:1, Desert Willow offers a moderate-sized learning environment. The school is located in a small city, providing a community setting that fosters close connections between students, families, and teachers.

Desert Willow Elementary School holds a MySchoolScout rating of 5.5 out of 10 and ranks 1007 out of 2029 schools in Arizona, placing it around the 50th percentile in the state. Academically, the school has a score of 5.8 out of 10, with 38% of students meeting or exceeding proficiency in ELA/Reading and 28% in Math. While these scores suggest room for improvement, the school is dedicated to supporting each student's development and growth.

The neighborhood surrounding Desert Willow Elementary School is part of the 85122 ZIP code, characterized by a median household income of $62,944 and a median home value of $203,900. About 19% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and the area has a 15.3% poverty rate. Desert Willow Elementary School is embedded in a community that values education and provides a supportive environment for its students.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Desert Willow Elementary School is 22.1:1, 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 metrics
Student Progress2.8Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-6.2 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics6.7Above Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency28%
Reading/ELA Proficiency38%
Overall Proficiency33%
Expected (poverty-adj.)36%
vs. Expected-2.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile52th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment4.9Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio22.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,058

Desert Willow Elementary School — Students at Desert Willow Elementary School score 33% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 36%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

0.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores AZ EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 38.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 43.7%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from AZ state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
50%
ELA
53%
2021*
Math
37%
ELA
40%
2022
Math
28%
ELA
38%

* 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: 2.8/10.

How Desert Willow Elementary School Compares

See how Desert Willow Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.4/10
10th percentile in AZ
Academic
6.7/10
6.7/10
Growth
2.8/10
Below average
Environment
4.9/10
Below average

Location

2172 N ARIZOLA RD, Casa Grande, AZ 85122

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Desert Willow Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. The Grande Innovation (rated 6.8/10, 2.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Cottonwood Elementary School (rated 6.1/10, 2.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, McCartney Ranch Elementary School (rated 5.2/10, 2.3 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Casa Grande, see our Casa Grande schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Vista Grande High School Casa Grande 1.5 mi 5.1
Cactus Middle School Casa Grande 1.3 mi 5.1
Legacy Traditional School - Casa Grande Maricopa 1.5 mi 4.8
Cholla Elementary School Casa Grande 1.5 mi 3.5
Mission Heights Preparatory High School Phoenix 1.7 mi 6.5
Ironwood School Casa Grande 1.9 mi 3.9
CAVIT - Casa Grande Union High School Casa Grande 2.1 mi
Casa Grande Union High School Casa Grande 2.1 mi 5.7
The Grande Innovation Casa Grande 2.3 mi 6.8
Path to Potential Casa Grande 2.3 mi
Cottonwood Elementary School Casa Grande 2.3 mi 6.1
McCartney Ranch Elementary School Casa Grande 2.3 mi 5.2
Center for Online and Innovative Learning Casa Grande 2.6 mi 4.1
CGESD Online Learning Academy Casa Grande 2.6 mi 3.9
Mesquite Elementary School Casa Grande 2.8 mi 4.5
Villago Middle School Casa Grande 2.8 mi 3.9
Early Childhood Learning Center Casa Grande 2.9 mi 5.6
Casa Grande Middle School Casa Grande 3.1 mi 4.9
Saguaro Elementary School Casa Grande 3.1 mi 5.0
Palo Verde School Casa Grande 3.4 mi 4.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 85122 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$64,243

Median Home Value

$242,500

Median Rent

$1,289/mo

Population

58,328

College Educated

19.4%

Homeownership

69.2%

Avg Commute

23.4 min

Poverty Rate

14.9%

Median Age

36.4

Community Profile

The community surrounding Desert Willow Elementary School has a median household income of $64,243. It is a community where 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $242,500, with a median rent of $1,289/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.9%. The average commute for residents is 23 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
Davis Bilingual Magnet School Tucson, AZ 4.4
Gila Crossing Community School Laveen, AZ 4.4
Imagine Schools at Buckeye Buckeye, AZ 4.4
Ira A Murphy Peoria, AZ 4.4
John Q Thomas Elementary School Flagstaff, AZ 4.4
La Paloma Academy-South Tucson, AZ 4.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Desert Willow Elementary School

What grades does Desert Willow Elementary School serve?

Desert Willow Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.

How many students attend Desert Willow Elementary School?

Desert Willow Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 465 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Desert Willow Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Desert Willow Elementary School is 22.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Desert Willow Elementary School rank in AZ?

Desert Willow Elementary School is ranked #1801 out of 2,000 schools in AZ.

What is Desert Willow Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Desert Willow Elementary School has a composite rating of 4.4 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 Willow Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Desert Willow Elementary School has 38.3% math proficiency and 43.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Desert Willow Elementary School a charter school?

No, Desert Willow Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Desert Willow Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Desert Willow Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
High (1,949/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Casa Grande). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
465
Student-Teacher Ratio
22.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
21
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Pinal County
Data Year
2023–2024

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 methodology

Related reading

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