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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

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 metrics
Student Progress7.0Very Good40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2.37 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics4.2Below Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency14%
Reading/ELA Proficiency31%
Overall Proficiency23%
Expected (poverty-adj.)44%
vs. Expected-21.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile23th
Resources & Environment5.2Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio20.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$9,227

Desert Wind Middle School — Students at Desert Wind Middle School score 22% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 44%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

0.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores AZ EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 18.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 29.3%
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
27%
ELA
31%
2021*
Math
14%
ELA
26%
2022
Math
14%
ELA
31%

* 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.

Overall Score
5.6/10
31th percentile in AZ
Academic
4.2/10
4.2/10
Growth
7.0/10
Above average
Environment
5.2/10
Above average

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
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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