Needs Improvement
#2003 of 2,006 schools in AZ
Imagine Desert West Middle
Middle School · Imagine Desert West Middle Inc. (89563)
6738 W MCDOWELL RD, Phoenix, AZ 85035
Enrollment
426
Score
2.1
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
426
Score
2.1
Grades
6th – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Arizona schools
#2,003 of 2,006
In Phoenix
#421 of 422
public schools
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Imagine Desert West Middle
Middle School in Phoenix · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Imagine Desert West Elementary
0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Peralta School
0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Imagine Desert West Middle
Imagine Desert West Middle is a public middle school in Phoenix, AZ, part of Imagine Desert West Middle Inc. (89563). Imagine Desert West Middle serves approximately 426 students, and covers grades 6th-8th. Imagine Desert West Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.1 out of 10 and ranks #2,003 of 2,006 schools in AZ.
Structured state assessment records for Imagine Desert West Middle show 33% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 42% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 2.1 · Needs Improvement
- AZ avg 5.6
What Parents Should Know
Imagine Desert West Middle 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.
55% of students at Imagine Desert West Middle 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 Middle — Students at Imagine Desert West Middle score 10% 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: 2.1/10.
How Imagine Desert West Middle Compares
See how Imagine Desert West Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Location
6738 W MCDOWELL RD, Phoenix, AZ 85035
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Imagine Desert West Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Estrella Middle School (rated 4.0/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Raul H. Castro Middle School: Academy of Fine Arts (rated 2.8/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Phoenix, see our Phoenix schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Imagine Desert West Elementary Phoenix | 0.1 mi | 2.2 |
| Peralta School Phoenix | 0.5 mi | 5.2 |
| Midtown High School Phoenix | 0.6 mi | — |
| Precision Academy Phoenix | 0.6 mi | 3.2 |
| Palm Lane Phoenix | 0.6 mi | 4.6 |
| Sunridge Elementary School Phoenix | 0.9 mi | 4.9 |
| Fowler Elementary School Phoenix | 1.1 mi | 4.2 |
| G. Frank Davidson Phoenix | 1.4 mi | 5.3 |
| Trevor Browne High School Phoenix | 1.4 mi | 4.5 |
| Byron A. Barry School Phoenix | 1.3 mi | 4.4 |
| Sunset School Phoenix | 1.5 mi | 8.1 |
| Academy of Math and Science Desert Sky Tucson | 1.4 mi | 7.4 |
| Manuel Pena Jr. School Phoenix | 1.5 mi | 4.0 |
| Cartwright School Phoenix | 1.5 mi | 2.9 |
| Raul H. Castro Middle School: Academy of Fine Arts Phoenix | 1.6 mi | 2.8 |
| Pioneer Preparatory - A Challenge Foundation Phoenix | 1.8 mi | 4.2 |
| Estrella Middle School Phoenix | 1.8 mi | 4.0 |
| Victory Collegiate Academy Phoenix | 1.8 mi | 5.8 |
| Western School of Science and Technology Phoenix | 1.9 mi | 6.8 |
| South Ridge High School Phoenix | 1.9 mi | 5.4 |
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 |
|---|---|
| Billy Lane Lauffer Middle School Tucson, AZ | 2.7 |
| Raul H. Castro Middle School: Academy of Fine Arts Phoenix, AZ | 2.8 |
| Wade Carpenter Middle School Nogales, AZ | 3.2 |
| Amphitheater Middle School Tucson, AZ | 3.3 |
| Challenger Middle School Tucson, AZ | 3.4 |
| Indian Oasis Intermediate Elementary School Sells, AZ | 3.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Imagine Desert West Middle
What grades does Imagine Desert West Middle serve?
Imagine Desert West Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Imagine Desert West Middle?
Imagine Desert West Middle has an enrollment of approximately 426 students.
How does Imagine Desert West Middle rank in AZ?
Imagine Desert West Middle ranks #2,003 of 2,006 schools in AZ.
What is Imagine Desert West Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Imagine Desert West Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.1 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 Middle?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Imagine Desert West Middle has 33% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 42% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
Is Imagine Desert West Middle a charter school?
Yes, Imagine Desert West Middle 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 Middle a Title I school?
No, Imagine Desert West Middle is not currently a Title I school.
Neighborhood Context
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Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 426
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Maricopa County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 54.7%
- Phone
- (623) 469-2024
Resources & Links
District
Imagine Desert West Middle Inc. (89563)- District Enrollment
- 426
- Schools in District
- 1
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $8,399
- District Rank
- #1 of 1
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