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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

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 metrics
Student Progress3.9Fair50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-5 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2021
TrendDeclining
Academics7.5Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency37%
Reading/ELA Proficiency48%
Overall Proficiency43%
Expected (poverty-adj.)43%
vs. Expected-0.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile63th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment5.4Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio20.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$9,891

Sunset Hills Elementary — Students at Sunset Hills Elementary score 42% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 43%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

0.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores AZ EDFACTS (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 44.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 51.0%
School
State
N/A

Based on 4 test records from AZ state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
51%
ELA
54%
2021*
Math
37%
ELA
48%

* 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.

Overall Score
5.3/10
25th percentile in AZ
Academic
7.5/10
7.5/10
Growth
3.9/10
Below average
Environment
5.4/10
Above average

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
30 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
43 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
Elevated (992/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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 methodology

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