Average
#1376 of 2,000 schools in AZ
Desert Wind Middle School
Middle School · Maricopa Unified School District (4441)
45012 W HONEYCUTT AVE, Maricopa, AZ 85139
Enrollment
903
Student-Teacher
20.5:1
Score
5.6
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
903
Student-Teacher
20.5:1
Score
5.6
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Maricopa
#8 of 12
public schools
Arizona middle schools
#165 of 218
In district
#8 of 10
Maricopa Unified School District (4441)
Academic growth
7.0 / 10
Strong
About Desert Wind Middle School
Desert Wind Middle School serves 903 students in grades 6-8 in Maricopa, Arizona, with a student-teacher ratio of 20.5:1 and 44 full-time equivalent teachers. This regular public school operates in Pinal County's growing suburban landscape, where families are drawn by the community's relative affordability and small-town feel. Academically, Desert Wind Middle School has room for growth, with 31% of students performing proficiently or above in English Language Arts and 14% reaching proficiency in mathematics.
The school ranks in the 30th percentile among Arizona's middle schools, positioning it at #1413 out of 2029 schools statewide. These results reflect opportunities for enhanced academic support and student development as the school works to better serve its student population. The surrounding 85139 ZIP code represents a middle-class community with a median household income of $81,605 and median home values around $263,400.
About 20% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, and the poverty rate stands at 11.6% among the area's 19,307 residents. Desert Wind Middle School sits in Maricopa's small suburban setting, part of a community that has experienced significant growth as families seek affordable housing options within commuting distance of the greater Phoenix metropolitan area.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Desert Wind Middle School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
The student-teacher ratio at Desert Wind Middle School is 20.5:1, 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
View breakdown
Desert Wind Middle School — Students at Desert Wind Middle School score 22% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 44%).
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: 7.0/10.
How Desert Wind Middle School Compares
See how Desert Wind Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 27% (2019) to 14% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 31% (2019) to 31% (2022).
Location
45012 W HONEYCUTT AVE, Maricopa, AZ 85139
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Desert Wind Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Casa Blanca Community School (rated 8.1/10, 5.7 miles away, in nearby Bapchule), which scores notably higher. Another option is Stanfield Elementary School (rated 7.0/10, 12.1 miles away, in nearby Stanfield), which scores notably higher. Additionally, A+ Charter Schools (rated 6.9/10, 3.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Maricopa, see our Maricopa schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 11.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Santa Cruz Elementary School Maricopa | 0.7 mi | 5.8 |
| CAVIT - Desert Sunrise High School Coolidge | 1.7 mi | — |
| Desert Sunrise High School Maricopa | 1.7 mi | — |
| Legacy Traditional School - Maricopa Chandler | 3.3 mi | 5.3 |
| Sequoia Pathway Academy Mesa | 3.5 mi | 4.0 |
| Saddleback Elementary School Maricopa | 3.8 mi | 5.9 |
| Leading Edge Academy Maricopa Gilbert | 3.8 mi | 3.8 |
| A+ Charter Schools Maricopa | 3.9 mi | 6.9 |
| Pima Butte Elementary School Maricopa | 4.8 mi | 6.7 |
| Santa Rosa Elementary School Maricopa | 4.8 mi | 6.8 |
| Casa Blanca Community School Bapchule | 5.7 mi | 8.1 |
| Butterfield Elementary School Maricopa | 5.1 mi | 5.1 |
| Skyline D5 Peoria | 5.9 mi | 6.4 |
| Maricopa Virtual Academy Maricopa | 5.3 mi | 4.7 |
| CAVIT - Maricopa Unified Maricopa | 6.0 mi | — |
| Maricopa High School Maricopa | 6.0 mi | 6.0 |
| Maricopa Elementary School Maricopa | 6.1 mi | 5.6 |
| Maricopa Wells Middle School Maricopa | 6.4 mi | 6.2 |
| Stanfield Elementary School Stanfield | 12.1 mi | 7.0 |
| Sacaton Elementary Sacaton | 11.1 mi | 5.2 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 85139 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$85,716
Median Home Value
$293,400
Median Rent
$1,481/mo
Population
19,522
College Educated
19.6%
Homeownership
80.9%
Avg Commute
34.5 min
Poverty Rate
11.3%
Median Age
37.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding Desert Wind Middle School has a median household income of $85,716. It is a community where 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $293,400, with a median rent of $1,481/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.3%. The average commute in the area is 35 minutes, which is above the national average. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Fees College Preparatory Middle School Tempe, AZ | 5.5 |
| Kyrene Centennial Middle School Phoenix, AZ | 5.5 |
| Madison #1 Elementary School Phoenix, AZ | 5.5 |
| Mansfeld Middle Magnet School Tucson, AZ | 5.7 |
| Old Vail Middle School Vail, AZ | 5.7 |
| Prescott Mile High Middle School Prescott, AZ | 5.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Desert Wind Middle School
What grades does Desert Wind Middle School serve?
Desert Wind Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Desert Wind Middle School?
Desert Wind Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 903 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Desert Wind Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at Desert Wind Middle School is 20.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Desert Wind Middle School rank in AZ?
Desert Wind Middle School is ranked #1376 out of 2,000 schools in AZ.
What is Desert Wind Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Desert Wind Middle School has a composite rating of 5.6 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 Wind Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Desert Wind Middle School has 18.3% math proficiency and 29.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Desert Wind Middle School a charter school?
No, Desert Wind Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Desert Wind Middle School a Title I school?
No, Desert Wind Middle School is not currently a Title I school.
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- Elevated (1,094/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Maricopa). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 903
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 20.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 44
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small Suburb
- County
- Pinal County
- Phone
- (520) 568-7110
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Maricopa Unified School District (4441)- District Enrollment
- 9,225
- Schools in District
- 13
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $9,671
- District Rank
- #8 of 10
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.