Excellent
#195 of 2,000 schools in AZ
Top 10% in state
Desert Willow Elementary School
Elementary School · Vail Unified District (4413)
9400 E ESMOND LOOP, Tucson, AZ 85747
Enrollment
759
Student-Teacher
17.2:1
Score
8.1
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
759
Student-Teacher
17.2:1
Score
8.1
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Tucson
#23 of 246
public schools
Arizona elementary schools
#152 of 1,216
In district
#4 of 23
Vail Unified District (4413)
Academic performance
9.3 / 10
Exceptional
About Desert Willow Elementary School
Desert Willow Elementary School is a public elementary school in Tucson, AZ, part of the Vail Unified District (4413). The school serves approximately 759 students in grades Kindergarten – 5th with a student-teacher ratio of 17.2:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.1/10, placing it in the 90.3th percentile among AZ schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 65% proficiency in math and 61% in reading/language arts. The school scores particularly well in student growth (7.8/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $107,290, where 46% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a fringe rural setting.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Desert Willow 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
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Desert Willow Elementary School — Students at Desert Willow Elementary School score 66% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 49%).
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
→ StableAverage 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: 7.8/10.
How Desert Willow Elementary School Compares
See how Desert Willow Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 73% (2019) to 71% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 66% (2019) to 62% (2022).
Location
9400 E ESMOND LOOP, Tucson, AZ 85747
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Desert Willow Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Civano Community K-8 School (rated 9.1/10, 3.5 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Senita Valley Elementary School (rated 8.5/10, 3.1 miles away, in nearby Vail), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Mesquite Elementary School (rated 8.0/10, 0.8 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Tucson, see our Tucson schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 5.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Desert Sky Middle School Tucson | 0.6 mi | 6.0 |
| Mesquite Elementary School Tucson | 0.8 mi | 8.0 |
| Cottonwood Elementary School Vail | 1.0 mi | 7.4 |
| Empire High School Tucson | 1.9 mi | 7.3 |
| Vail Innovation Center Vail | 1.9 mi | 7.8 |
| PCJTED - Mica Mountain High School Tucson | 1.9 mi | — |
| Mica Mountain High Tucson | 1.9 mi | 6.2 |
| Vail Blended Learning Tucson | 2.1 mi | 7.2 |
| Vail Academy & High School Vail | 2.1 mi | 6.4 |
| Esmond Station School Tucson | 2.6 mi | 7.4 |
| Rincon Vista Middle School Tucson | 3.0 mi | 6.4 |
| Senita Valley Elementary School Vail | 3.1 mi | 8.5 |
| Civano Community K-8 School Tucson | 3.5 mi | 9.1 |
| Santa Rita High School Tucson | 5.3 mi | 6.5 |
| Secrist Middle School Tucson | 5.5 mi | 7.2 |
| Vail Inclusive Preschool Vail | 5.1 mi | 5.8 |
| PCJTED - Cienega High School Tucson | 5.2 mi | — |
| Cienega High School Vail | 5.2 mi | 8.3 |
| Ford Elementary Tucson | 5.9 mi | 4.8 |
| PCJTED - Andrada Polytechnic High School Tucson | 5.9 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 85747 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$107,290
Median Home Value
$345,900
Median Rent
$1,776/mo
Population
26,808
College Educated
45.6%
Homeownership
80.6%
Avg Commute
27.2 min
Poverty Rate
5.4%
Median Age
36.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding Desert Willow Elementary School has a median household income of $107,290. It is a well-educated community where 46% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $345,900, with a median rent of $1,776/month. The local poverty rate of 5.4% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 27 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 |
|---|---|
| Basha Elementary Chandler, AZ | 8.1 |
| Belen Soto Elementary School Litchfield Pk, AZ | 8.1 |
| Boulder Creek Elementary Mesa, AZ | 8.1 |
| Centennial Elementary School Gilbert, AZ | 8.1 |
| Coronado Elementary School Gilbert, AZ | 8.1 |
| Great Hearts Academies - Archway Cicero Phoenix, AZ | 8.1 |
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 Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Desert Willow Elementary School?
Desert Willow Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 759 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Desert Willow Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Desert Willow Elementary School is 17.2:1. 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 #195 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 8.1 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 64.7% math proficiency and 61.0% 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- Walk Score
- 5 Car-Dependent
- Transit Score
- 16 Minimal Transit
- Bike Score
- 44 Somewhat Bikeable
- City Safety
- High (3,922/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Tucson). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 759
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 17.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 44
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Pima County
- Phone
- (520) 879-2302
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Vail Unified District (4413)- District Enrollment
- 14,831
- Schools in District
- 23
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $10,071
- District Rank
- #4 of 23
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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