Average
#1495 of 2,000 schools in AZ
Sunset Hills Elementary
Elementary School · Dysart Unified District (4243)
17825 W SIERRA MONTANA LOOP, Surprise, AZ 85388
Enrollment
979
Student-Teacher
20.8:1
Score
5.3
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
979
Student-Teacher
20.8:1
Score
5.3
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Surprise
#19 of 22
public schools
Arizona elementary schools
#886 of 1,216
In district
#20 of 24
Dysart Unified District (4243)
Academic performance
7.5 / 10
Very strong
About Sunset Hills Elementary
Sunset Hills Elementary serves 979 students in prekindergarten through eighth grade in Surprise, Arizona's thriving suburban community. With 47 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 20.8:1, providing a structured learning environment for its diverse student body. The school currently holds a MySchoolScout rating of 5.2 out of 10 and ranks #1128 out of 2029 schools statewide, placing it in the 44th percentile among Arizona schools.
While there's room for academic growth, Sunset Hills Elementary continues to focus on student development across its extended grade range that uniquely includes middle school years through eighth grade. Located on Sierra Montana Loop, the school serves families in ZIP code 85388, an affluent suburban area where the median household income reaches $100,639 and median home values average $366,900. The community shows strong educational values, with 32% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher, and maintains economic stability with just a 4.8% poverty rate.
Sunset Hills Elementary sits in the heart of Surprise's large suburban landscape, serving a well-established community of over 33,000 residents who have chosen this growing area of Maricopa County for its family-friendly atmosphere and suburban amenities.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Sunset Hills Elementary is 20.8:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
Sunset Hills Elementary — Students at Sunset Hills Elementary score 42% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 43%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
0.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores AZ EDFACTS (2020-21)
Based on 4 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: 3.9/10.
How Sunset Hills Elementary Compares
See how Sunset Hills Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 51% (2019) to 37% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 54% (2019) to 48% (2021).
Location
17825 W SIERRA MONTANA LOOP, Surprise, AZ 85388
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Sunset Hills Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Canyon Ridge School (rated 7.8/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Western Peaks Elementary (rated 7.3/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Legacy Traditional School - West Surprise (rated 7.1/10, 1.8 miles away, in nearby Chandler), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Surprise, see our Surprise schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Western Peaks Elementary Surprise | 0.7 mi | 7.3 |
| Willow Canyon High School Surprise | 1.0 mi | 8.4 |
| West-MEC - Willow Canyon High School Surprise | 1.0 mi | — |
| Canyon Ridge School Surprise | 1.1 mi | 7.8 |
| Cimarron Springs Middle School Surprise | 1.1 mi | 6.0 |
| CROSS CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Surprise | 1.3 mi | 6.3 |
| Paradise Honors High School Surprise | 1.5 mi | 5.1 |
| West-MEC Paradise Honors Surprise | 1.5 mi | — |
| Legacy Traditional School - West Surprise Chandler | 1.8 mi | 7.1 |
| ThrivePoint High School at Surprise Glendale | 1.6 mi | 4.0 |
| West-MEC - Shadow Ridge High School Surprise | 2.7 mi | — |
| Shadow Ridge High School Surprise | 2.7 mi | 6.4 |
| Mountain View Waddell | 3.0 mi | 6.8 |
| Calibre Academy Surprise Surprise | 2.6 mi | 3.9 |
| Imagine Surprise Middle Phoenix | 2.6 mi | 4.7 |
| Imagine Prep Surprise Phoenix | 2.6 mi | 6.6 |
| Highland Prep Surprise | 2.7 mi | 8.2 |
| Paradise Honors Elementary School Surprise | 2.8 mi | 7.1 |
| American Leadership Academy West Foothills K-12 Mesa | 3.6 mi | — |
| Sonoran Heights Middle School Surprise | 3.3 mi | 6.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 85388 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$107,131
Median Home Value
$420,000
Median Rent
$2,094/mo
Population
35,003
College Educated
31%
Homeownership
82.2%
Avg Commute
33.6 min
Poverty Rate
4.3%
Median Age
35.7
Community Profile
The community surrounding Sunset Hills Elementary has a median household income of $107,131. It is an area where 31% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $420,000, with a median rent of $2,094/month. The local poverty rate of 4.3% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 34 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 |
|---|---|
| Copper Trails Goodyear, AZ | 5.3 |
| Fine Arts Academy Cashion, AZ | 5.3 |
| Horizon School Glendale, AZ | 5.3 |
| McCorkle PK-8 Tucson, AZ | 5.3 |
| Twin Peaks Elementary School Tucson, AZ | 5.3 |
| Gowan Science Academy Yuma, AZ | 5.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Sunset Hills Elementary
What grades does Sunset Hills Elementary serve?
Sunset Hills Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.
How many students attend Sunset Hills Elementary?
Sunset Hills Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 979 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Sunset Hills Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Sunset Hills Elementary is 20.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Sunset Hills Elementary rank in AZ?
Sunset Hills Elementary is ranked #1495 out of 2,000 schools in AZ.
What is Sunset Hills Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Sunset Hills Elementary has a composite rating of 5.3 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 Sunset Hills Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Sunset Hills Elementary has 44.0% math proficiency and 51.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Sunset Hills Elementary a charter school?
No, Sunset Hills Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Sunset Hills Elementary a Title I school?
No, Sunset Hills Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 8th
- Enrollment
- 979
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 20.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 47
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Maricopa County
- Phone
- (623) 523-8700
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Dysart Unified District (4243)- District Enrollment
- 23,118
- Schools in District
- 25
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $10,550
- District Rank
- #20 of 24
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
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.