Excellent
#240 of 2,006 schools in AZ
Top 12% 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
8.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
759
Student-Teacher
17.2:1
Score
8.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Arizona schools
#240 of 2,006
In Tucson
#20 of 257
public schools
In district
#8 of 23
Vail Unified District (4413)
Academic performance
9.3 / 10
Excellent
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Desert Willow Elementary School
Elementary School in Tucson · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Desert Sky Middle School
0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Mesquite Elementary School
0.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Desert Willow Elementary School
Desert Willow Elementary School is a public elementary school in Tucson, AZ, part of Vail Unified District (4413). Desert Willow Elementary School serves approximately 759 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 17.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Desert Willow Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.4 out of 10 and ranks #240 of 2,006 schools in AZ.
Structured state assessment records for Desert Willow Elementary School show 72% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 71% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 8.4 · Excellent
- District avg 8.4
- AZ avg 6.4
What Parents Should Know
Desert Willow 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.
32% of students at Desert Willow 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
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Desert Willow Elementary School — Students at Desert Willow Elementary School score 66% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 49%).
Test Scores AZ EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 28 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: 8.2/10.
How Desert Willow Elementary School Compares
See how Desert Willow Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
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. Esmond Station School (rated 9.2/10, 2.6 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Senita Valley Elementary School (rated 9.0/10, 3.1 miles away, in nearby Vail), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Mesquite Elementary School (rated 8.9/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores slightly higher. 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 | 6.7 |
| Mesquite Elementary School Tucson | 0.8 mi | 8.9 |
| Cottonwood Elementary School Vail | 1.0 mi | 8.2 |
| Empire High School Tucson | 1.9 mi | 8.2 |
| Vail Innovation Center Vail | 1.9 mi | 9.1 |
| PCJTED - Mica Mountain High School Tucson | 1.9 mi | — |
| Mica Mountain High Tucson | 1.9 mi | 6.3 |
| Vail Blended Learning Tucson | 2.1 mi | 6.2 |
| Vail Academy & High School Vail | 2.1 mi | 8.5 |
| Esmond Station School Tucson | 2.6 mi | 9.2 |
| Rincon Vista Middle School Tucson | 3.0 mi | 6.5 |
| Senita Valley Elementary School Vail | 3.1 mi | 9.0 |
| Civano Community K-8 School Tucson | 3.5 mi | 7.5 |
| Santa Rita High School Tucson | 5.3 mi | 5.3 |
| Secrist Middle School Tucson | 5.5 mi | 3.8 |
| Vail Inclusive Preschool Vail | 5.1 mi | 4.4 |
| PCJTED - Cienega High School Tucson | 5.2 mi | — |
| Cienega High School Vail | 5.2 mi | 7.9 |
| Ford Elementary Tucson | 5.9 mi | 5.9 |
| 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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Bush Elementary Mesa, AZ | 8.4 |
| Estrella Foothills Global Academy Laveen, AZ | 8.4 |
| Hale Elementary School Mesa, AZ | 8.4 |
| Highland Park Elementary Gilbert, AZ | 8.4 |
| Imagine Rosefield Surprise, AZ | 8.4 |
| Paseo Pointe School Laveen, AZ | 8.4 |
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 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 ranks #240 of 2,006 schools in AZ.
What is Desert Willow Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Desert Willow Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.4 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Desert Willow Elementary School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Desert Willow Elementary School has 72% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 71% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
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
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 31.6%
- Phone
- (520) 879-2302
Resources & Links
District
Vail Unified District (4413)- District Enrollment
- 14,831
- Schools in District
- 23
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $10,071
- District Rank
- #8 of 23
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