Average
#1455 of 2,006 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
5.1
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
979
Student-Teacher
20.8:1
Score
5.1
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Arizona schools
#1,455 of 2,006
In Surprise
#20 of 23
public schools
In district
#19 of 24
Dysart Unified District (4243)
Academic performance
7.5 / 10
Very Good
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Sunset Hills Elementary
Elementary School in Surprise · grades Pre-K – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Western Peaks Elementary
0.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Willow Canyon High School
1.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Sunset Hills Elementary
Sunset Hills Elementary is a public elementary school in Surprise, AZ, part of Dysart Unified District (4243). Sunset Hills Elementary serves approximately 979 students, and covers grades Pre-K-8th, and has a 20.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Sunset Hills Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.1 out of 10 and ranks #1,455 of 2,006 schools in AZ.
Structured state assessment records for Sunset Hills Elementary show 56% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 63% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021).
- This school 5.1 · Average
- District avg 6.0
- AZ avg 6.4
What Parents Should Know
Sunset Hills Elementary runs 20.8:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.
41% of students at Sunset Hills 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
Sunset Hills Elementary — Students at Sunset Hills Elementary score 42% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 43%).
Test Scores AZ EDFACTS (2020-21)
Based on 26 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: 3.5/10.
How Sunset Hills Elementary Compares
See how Sunset Hills Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
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. Legacy Traditional School - West Surprise (rated 8.1/10, 1.8 miles away, in nearby Chandler), which scores notably higher. Another option is Canyon Ridge School (rated 7.9/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Paradise Honors Elementary School (rated 7.5/10, 2.8 miles away), 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 | 5.8 |
| Willow Canyon High School Surprise | 1.0 mi | 8.0 |
| West-MEC - Willow Canyon High School Surprise | 1.0 mi | — |
| Canyon Ridge School Surprise | 1.1 mi | 7.9 |
| Cimarron Springs Middle School Surprise | 1.1 mi | 7.0 |
| CROSS CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Surprise | 1.3 mi | 6.3 |
| Paradise Honors High School Surprise | 1.5 mi | 8.0 |
| West-MEC Paradise Honors Surprise | 1.5 mi | — |
| Legacy Traditional School - West Surprise Chandler | 1.8 mi | 8.1 |
| ThrivePoint High School at Surprise Glendale | 1.6 mi | 4.1 |
| West-MEC - Shadow Ridge High School Surprise | 2.7 mi | — |
| Shadow Ridge High School Surprise | 2.7 mi | 7.2 |
| Mountain View Waddell | 3.0 mi | 5.4 |
| Calibre Academy Surprise Surprise | 2.6 mi | 4.2 |
| Imagine Surprise Middle Phoenix | 2.6 mi | 6.7 |
| Imagine Prep Surprise Phoenix | 2.6 mi | 7.9 |
| Highland Prep Surprise | 2.7 mi | 8.7 |
| Paradise Honors Elementary School Surprise | 2.8 mi | 7.5 |
| American Leadership Academy West Foothills K-12 Mesa | 3.6 mi | — |
| Sonoran Heights Middle School Surprise | 3.3 mi | 5.2 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Desert Mirage Elementary School Glendale, AZ | 5.1 |
| Horizon School Glendale, AZ | 5.1 |
| John S McCain III Elementary School Buckeye, AZ | 5.1 |
| Leading Edge Academy Maricopa Gilbert, AZ | 5.1 |
| Leman Academy of Excellence - Central Tucson Tucson, AZ | 5.1 |
| Littleton Elementary School Avondale, AZ | 5.1 |
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 ranks #1,455 of 2,006 schools in AZ.
What is Sunset Hills Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Sunset Hills Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.1 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 Sunset Hills Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Sunset Hills Elementary has 56% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 63% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021).
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
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 40.9%
- Phone
- (623) 523-8700
Resources & Links
District
Dysart Unified District (4243)- District Enrollment
- 23,118
- Schools in District
- 25
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $10,550
- District Rank
- #19 of 24
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