Needs Improvement
#2001 of 2,006 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
2.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
705
Score
2.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Arizona schools
#2,001 of 2,006
In Phoenix
#420 of 422
public schools
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Imagine Desert West Elementary
Elementary School in Phoenix · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Imagine Desert West Middle
0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Palm Lane
0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Imagine Desert West Elementary
Imagine Desert West Elementary is a public elementary school in Phoenix, AZ, part of Imagine Charter Elementary at Desert West Inc. (88367). Imagine Desert West Elementary serves approximately 705 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th. Imagine Desert West Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.2 out of 10 and ranks #2,001 of 2,006 schools in AZ.
Structured state assessment records for Imagine Desert West Elementary show 36% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 40% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 2.2 · Needs Improvement
- AZ avg 6.4
What Parents Should Know
Imagine Desert West Elementary is a charter school: publicly funded, but run with more independence than a traditional district school. Many charters are built around a specific model or focus, so it's worth understanding this one's mission, how enrollment works, and how it differs from the district schools nearby.
54% of students at Imagine Desert West Elementary 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
Imagine Desert West Elementary — Students at Imagine Desert West Elementary score 14% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 38%).
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: 1.5/10.
How Imagine Desert West Elementary Compares
See how Imagine Desert West Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
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. Sunset School (rated 8.1/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Academy of Math and Science Desert Sky (rated 7.4/10, 1.3 miles away, in nearby Tucson), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Victory Collegiate Academy (rated 5.8/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores notably 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 | 2.1 |
| Palm Lane Phoenix | 0.5 mi | 4.6 |
| Peralta School Phoenix | 0.6 mi | 5.2 |
| Midtown High School Phoenix | 0.7 mi | — |
| Precision Academy Phoenix | 0.7 mi | 3.2 |
| Sunridge Elementary School Phoenix | 0.8 mi | 4.9 |
| Fowler Elementary School Phoenix | 1.1 mi | 4.2 |
| Byron A. Barry School Phoenix | 1.1 mi | 4.4 |
| G. Frank Davidson Phoenix | 1.4 mi | 5.3 |
| Sunset School Phoenix | 1.5 mi | 8.1 |
| Trevor Browne High School Phoenix | 1.4 mi | 4.5 |
| Academy of Math and Science Desert Sky Tucson | 1.3 mi | 7.4 |
| Cartwright School Phoenix | 1.4 mi | 2.9 |
| Pioneer Preparatory - A Challenge Foundation Phoenix | 1.7 mi | 4.2 |
| Victory Collegiate Academy Phoenix | 1.7 mi | 5.8 |
| Estrella Middle School Phoenix | 1.8 mi | 4.0 |
| Charles W. Harris School Phoenix | 1.6 mi | 4.4 |
| Western School of Science and Technology Phoenix | 1.9 mi | 6.8 |
| Manuel Pena Jr. School Phoenix | 1.6 mi | 4.0 |
| Raul H. Castro Middle School: Academy of Fine Arts Phoenix | 1.7 mi | 2.8 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Synergy Public School Phoenix, AZ | 2.3 |
| Mesquite Elementary School Casa Grande, AZ | 2.4 |
| Cottonwood Elementary School Casa Grande, AZ | 2.5 |
| Valley Horizon Elementary School Yuma, AZ | 2.6 |
| Pioneer Technology & Arts Academy of Arizona Phoenix, AZ | 2.7 |
| Westwood Elementary School Phoenix, AZ | 2.7 |
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 ranks #2,001 of 2,006 schools in AZ.
What is Imagine Desert West Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Imagine Desert West Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.2 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 Imagine Desert West Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Imagine Desert West Elementary has 36% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 40% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
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
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Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 705
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Maricopa County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 53.8%
- Phone
- (623) 344-7150
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
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