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Average

#128 of 225 private schools in AZ

Sierra Academy of Scottsdale

School

9128 E SAN SALVADOR DR, Scottsdale, AZ 85258

Private Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on AZ statewide data. Learn more

Enrollment

41

Student-Teacher

5.1:1

Score

6.2

Grades

2nd – 12th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

In Scottsdale

#11 of 17

public schools

Arizona schools

#46 of 67

About Sierra Academy of Scottsdale

Sierra Academy of Scottsdale serves 41 students in grades 2 through 12, offering an intimate educational environment with an exceptional student-teacher ratio of 5.1:1 and 8 full-time equivalent teachers. This regular public school has earned strong recognition, ranking 72nd out of 225 schools in Arizona and receiving a 9.4 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout. The small enrollment creates opportunities for personalized attention and close student-teacher relationships that can benefit learners across all grade levels.

With less than one-tenth the size of typical schools, students likely experience a tight-knit community atmosphere where educators can tailor instruction to individual needs. Sierra Academy is located on San Salvador Drive in Scottsdale's 85258 ZIP code, an affluent area where 64% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. The neighborhood reflects strong educational values, with a median household income of $99,802 and median home value of $695,300.

The low poverty rate of 9.5% indicates a stable community environment that often correlates with family engagement in education. The school operates within Scottsdale, a mid-size city known for its commitment to quality education and family-friendly amenities. This setting provides students access to both suburban comfort and the cultural and recreational opportunities that come with living in a well-established Arizona community.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 41 students, Sierra Academy of Scottsdale is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

With a student-teacher ratio of 5.1:1, Sierra Academy of Scottsdale offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

As a private school, Sierra Academy of Scottsdale operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.

Compare to Public Schools

Beta

How Sierra Academy of Scottsdale compares to 47 public schools serving similar grades in Scottsdale, AZ

Student-Teacher Ratio
5.1:1
This School
vs
15.4:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
41
This School
vs
546
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
6.2
This School
vs
7.2
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 75.6% vs 0%
Hispanic 9.8% vs 0%
Black 4.9% vs 0%
Asian 2.4% vs 0%
Sierra Academy of Scottsdale Scottsdale Public Avg

Nearby Other Schools

School Rating
Sierra Academy of Scottsdale (this school) 6.2
Cochise Elementary School 7.6
Laguna Elementary School 5.6
Chaparral High School 8.3
Cheyenne Traditional School 8.3
Pueblo Elementary School 7.5
Redfield Elementary School 8.9
Saguaro High School 8.7
Cocopah Middle School 7.8
Mohave Middle School 7.6
Noah Webster Schools-Pima 6.8
Sequoya Elementary School 8.0
Desert Canyon Middle School 7.2
Desert Canyon Elementary 8.3
Desert Mountain High School 8.8
Anasazi Elementary 7.6
BASIS Scottsdale 7.8
Scottsdale Country Day School 6.0
Mountainside Middle School 6.7
BASIS Scottsdale Primary - West Campus 6.5
Navajo Elementary School 5.8

Showing 20 of 47 schools. View all schools in Scottsdale

Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.

Score Breakdown

What This Rating Measures

This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in AZ.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
A+ 9.5 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 5.1:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
C+ 4.1 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 6.5 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,170
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
B- 5.3 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 35%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
C 3.1 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 41
View data sources

Score basis: Private school model

Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data

Components scored: 4 of 5

Ranking pool: Private schools in AZ

Test Scores

Test score data not yet available for this school.

Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

White 75.6%
Hispanic 9.8%
Black 4.9%
Native American 4.9%
Asian 2.4%
Two or More 2.4%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

9128 E SAN SALVADOR DR, Scottsdale, AZ 85258

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Sierra Academy of Scottsdale may also want to explore other schools in the area. Sonoran Sky Elementary School (rated 9.4/10, 3.2 miles away, in nearby Phoenix), which scores notably higher. Another option is SCOTTSDALE CHILD CARE AND LEARNING CENTER (rated 9.0/10, 3.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Redfield Elementary School (rated 8.9/10, 3.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Scottsdale, see our Scottsdale schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.7 mi
School Distance Rating
INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF ARIZONA Scottsdale 0.4 mi 6.3
SHEPHERD OF THE DESERT LUTHERAN SCHOOL Scottsdale 1.0 mi
THE UNITED SCHOOL OF AUTISM Scottsdale 1.0 mi 6.7
Cochise Elementary School Scottsdale 0.9 mi 7.6
Mission Montessori Academy's Middle Years Program Phoenix 1.3 mi 4.4
CAMELBACK DESERT SCHOOL Scottsdale 1.6 mi
Laguna Elementary School Scottsdale 1.6 mi 5.6
Great Hearts Academies - Archway Cicero Phoenix 2.0 mi 8.1
Great Hearts Academies - Cicero Prep Phoenix 2.0 mi 6.2
FUSION SCOTTSDALE Scottsdale 1.8 mi 6.5
Cheyenne Traditional School Scottsdale 2.9 mi 8.3
SCOTTSDALE CHILD CARE AND LEARNING CENTER Scottsdale 3.0 mi 9.0
Redfield Elementary School Scottsdale 3.1 mi 8.9
Pueblo Elementary School Scottsdale 3.1 mi 7.5
Saguaro High School Scottsdale 3.2 mi 8.7
Chaparral High School Scottsdale 2.9 mi 8.3
BRIGHTMONT ACADEMY Scottsdale 2.9 mi 6.6
Sonoran Sky Elementary School Phoenix 3.2 mi 9.4
PARDES JEWISH DAY SCHOOL Scottsdale 3.2 mi 6.6
NEW COVENANT LUTHERAN CHURCH CHILDREN'S MINISTRY C Scottsdale 3.7 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 85258 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$105,171

Median Home Value

$744,600

Median Rent

$1,945/mo

Population

25,524

College Educated

63.4%

Homeownership

73.8%

Avg Commute

21.8 min

Poverty Rate

10.8%

Median Age

55.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding Sierra Academy of Scottsdale has a median household income of $105,171. It is a well-educated community where 63% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $744,600, with a median rent of $1,945/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.8%. The average commute for residents is 22 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
EMPOWER ACADEMY MVA CAMPUS San Tan Vly, AZ 6.3
QUEEN OF ALL SAINTS ACADEMY Youngtown, AZ 6.3
CHRYSALIS ACAD DAY SCHOOL FOR CHILDREN WITH AUTISM Scottsdale, AZ 6.0
Flowing Wells Digital Campus Tucson, AZ 5.7
KINO LEARNING CENTER Tucson, AZ 5.7
Wickenburg Virtual Academy Wickenburg, AZ 6.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Sierra Academy of Scottsdale

What grades does Sierra Academy of Scottsdale serve?

Sierra Academy of Scottsdale serves students in grades 2nd through 12th.

How many students attend Sierra Academy of Scottsdale?

Sierra Academy of Scottsdale has an enrollment of approximately 41 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Sierra Academy of Scottsdale?

The student-teacher ratio at Sierra Academy of Scottsdale is 5.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does Sierra Academy of Scottsdale rank in AZ?

Sierra Academy of Scottsdale is ranked #128 out of 225 private schools in AZ.

What is Sierra Academy of Scottsdale's MySchoolScout rating?

Sierra Academy of Scottsdale has a composite rating of 6.2 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.

Is Sierra Academy of Scottsdale a private school?

Yes, Sierra Academy of Scottsdale is a private coeducational school with a Nonsectarian affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.

Is Sierra Academy of Scottsdale a religious school?

No, Sierra Academy of Scottsdale is a nonsectarian (non-religious) private school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
High (2,031/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Scottsdale). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
2nd – 12th
Enrollment
41
Gender Split
83% M / 17% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
5.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
8
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Nonsectarian
School Day
6.5 hours
Days Per Year
180 days
Setting
Midsize City
County
MARICOPA
Data Year
2022–2023

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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