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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

Charter

Enrollment

705

Score

4.8

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

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

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.3Above Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2.98 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics2.8Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency14%
Reading/ELA Proficiency14%
Overall Proficiency14%
Expected (poverty-adj.)38%
vs. Expected-24.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile10th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment3.8Fair20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Per-Pupil Spending$10,139

Imagine Desert West Elementary — Students at Imagine Desert West Elementary score 14% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 38%).

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 14.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 16.0%
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
21%
ELA
23%
2021*
Math
8%
ELA
11%
2022
Math
14%
ELA
14%

* 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.

Overall Score
4.8/10
17th percentile in AZ
Academic
2.8/10
2.8/10
Growth
6.3/10
Above average
Environment
3.8/10
Below average

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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 methodology

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