Below Average
#1666 of 2,000 schools in AZ
Imagine Desert West Elementary
Elementary School · Imagine Charter Elementary at Desert West Inc. (88367)
6738 W MCDOWELL RD, Phoenix, AZ 85035
Enrollment
705
Score
4.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
705
Score
4.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Phoenix
#324 of 398
public schools
Arizona elementary schools
#976 of 1,216
About Imagine Desert West Elementary
Imagine Desert West Elementary is a charter school in Phoenix, Arizona, catering to students from kindergarten through fifth grade. With an enrollment of 705 students, the school is part of a larger city setting, offering a variety of programs to its diverse community. Despite the school's MySchoolScout rating of 3.0 out of 10 and a state ranking of 1894 out of 2029 schools in Arizona, Imagine Desert West Elementary is dedicated to the ongoing development and support of its students.
Academic performance shows 14% proficiency in both ELA and math, indicating areas for improvement and a commitment to student growth. The neighborhood around the school has a median household income of $53,633 and a median home value of $215,700, with 20.8% of the population living below the poverty line. Located in an urban area with a mix of residents, Imagine Desert West Elementary is an integral part of its community, striving to provide quality education to its students.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Imagine Desert West Elementary 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.
Imagine Desert West Elementary is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.
Score Breakdown
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Imagine Desert West Elementary — Students at Imagine Desert West Elementary score 14% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 38%).
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: 6.3/10.
How Imagine Desert West Elementary Compares
See how Imagine Desert West Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 21% (2019) to 14% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 23% (2019) to 14% (2022).
Location
6738 W MCDOWELL RD, Phoenix, AZ 85035
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Imagine Desert West Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Academy of Math and Science Desert Sky (rated 6.9/10, 1.3 miles away, in nearby Tucson), which scores notably higher. Another option is Peralta School (rated 6.5/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Fowler Elementary School (rated 5.7/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Phoenix, see our Phoenix schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Imagine Desert West Middle Phoenix | 0.1 mi | 3.2 |
| Palm Lane Phoenix | 0.5 mi | 4.6 |
| Peralta School Phoenix | 0.6 mi | 6.5 |
| Midtown High School Phoenix | 0.7 mi | — |
| Precision Academy Phoenix | 0.7 mi | 6.2 |
| Sunridge Elementary School Phoenix | 0.8 mi | 5.2 |
| Fowler Elementary School Phoenix | 1.1 mi | 5.7 |
| Byron A. Barry School Phoenix | 1.1 mi | 6.1 |
| G. Frank Davidson Phoenix | 1.4 mi | 3.7 |
| Sunset School Phoenix | 1.5 mi | 4.4 |
| Trevor Browne High School Phoenix | 1.4 mi | 3.7 |
| Academy of Math and Science Desert Sky Tucson | 1.3 mi | 6.9 |
| Cartwright School Phoenix | 1.4 mi | 4.4 |
| Pioneer Preparatory - A Challenge Foundation Phoenix | 1.7 mi | 3.2 |
| Victory Collegiate Academy Phoenix | 1.7 mi | 4.0 |
| Estrella Middle School Phoenix | 1.8 mi | 6.3 |
| Charles W. Harris School Phoenix | 1.6 mi | 5.4 |
| Western School of Science and Technology Phoenix | 1.9 mi | 5.7 |
| Manuel Pena Jr. School Phoenix | 1.6 mi | 5.2 |
| Raul H. Castro Middle School: Academy of Fine Arts Phoenix | 1.7 mi | 5.2 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 85035 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$57,790
Median Home Value
$244,300
Median Rent
$1,390/mo
Population
52,002
College Educated
10.1%
Homeownership
46.4%
Avg Commute
26.7 min
Poverty Rate
21.7%
Median Age
27.2
Community Profile
The community surrounding Imagine Desert West Elementary has a median household income of $57,790. It is a community where 10% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $244,300, with a median rent of $1,390/month. The area has a poverty rate of 21.7%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. 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 |
|---|---|
| Academy Del Sol - Star Valley Tucson, AZ | 4.8 |
| Gary A. Knox Elementary School Yuma, AZ | 4.8 |
| Griffith Elementary School Phoenix, AZ | 4.8 |
| Julia Randall Elementary School Payson, AZ | 4.8 |
| Palomino Primary School Phoenix, AZ | 4.8 |
| Rio Vista Elementary Avondale, AZ | 4.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Imagine Desert West Elementary
What grades does Imagine Desert West Elementary serve?
Imagine Desert West Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Imagine Desert West Elementary?
Imagine Desert West Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 705 students.
How does Imagine Desert West Elementary rank in AZ?
Imagine Desert West Elementary is ranked #1666 out of 2,000 schools in AZ.
What is Imagine Desert West Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Imagine Desert West Elementary has a composite rating of 4.8 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 Imagine Desert West Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Imagine Desert West Elementary has 14.3% math proficiency and 16.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Imagine Desert West Elementary a charter school?
Yes, Imagine Desert West Elementary is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.
Is Imagine Desert West Elementary a Title I school?
No, Imagine Desert West Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (3,139/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Phoenix). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 705
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Maricopa County
- Phone
- (623) 344-7150
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Imagine Charter Elementary at Desert West Inc. (88367)- District Enrollment
- 705
- Schools in District
- 1
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $10,349
- District Rank
- #1 of 1
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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