Skip to main content

Average

#399 of 1,014 schools in UT

Top 39% in state

Based on limited data

Desert Canyons Elementary

Elementary School · Washington District

3101 E Rimrunner Drive, St. George, UT 84790

Enrollment

605

Student-Teacher

22.4:1

Score

6.8

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In St. George

#6 of 11

public schools

Utah elementary schools

#259 of 600

In district

#21 of 53

Washington District

Academic performance

8.2 / 10

Very strong

About Desert Canyons Elementary

Desert Canyons Elementary is a regular public elementary school located in the rural outskirts of Saint George, Utah. The school serves kindergarten through fifth-grade students with an enrollment of 605 pupils and maintains a student-to-teacher ratio of 22.4:1, ensuring that each child receives adequate attention from educators. With 27 full-time equivalent teachers on staff, Desert Canyons Elementary aims to provide a supportive learning environment.

Academically, the school has earned a MySchoolScout Rating of 6.2 out of 10 and is ranked at #322 among Utah's 1018 schools (placing it in the 68th percentile). The academic score stands at 7.9/10, indicating areas for improvement but also strengths in specific subjects. Students show proficiency rates of 51% in ELA/Reading, 55% in Math, and 60% in Science.

These figures suggest that while there is room for growth, the school focuses on student development across various disciplines. Desert Canyons Elementary is situated in a rural area near Saint George, offering a close-knit community atmosphere where families can actively engage with their children's education and participate in local activities.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Desert Canyons Elementary is 22.4:1, 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.

Located in a rural area, Desert Canyons Elementary may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Partial Profile · 2/3 metrics
Student ProgressNot Available

Requires 2+ years of test data

Academics8.2Excellent60%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency55.4%
Reading/ELA Proficiency50.7%
Overall Proficiency53%
Expected (poverty-adj.)48%
vs. Expected+4.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile73th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment4.7Below Average40%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio22.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$8,179

Desert Canyons Elementary — Students at Desert Canyons Elementary score 53% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 48%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

19.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Component weights adjusted due to data availability.

Test Scores UT RISE (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 55.4%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 50.7%
School
State
N/A

Based on 3 test records from UT state assessments. About our data

How Desert Canyons Elementary Compares

See how Desert Canyons Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.8/10
61th percentile in UT
Academic
8.2/10
8.2/10
Environment
4.7/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
20%
Teaching Staff
22:1 student-teacher ratio
27 teachers

Location

3101 E Rimrunner Drive, St. George, UT 84790

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Desert Canyons Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. South Mesa Elementary (rated 8.7/10, 3.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Heritage School (rated 8.2/10, 6.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Riverside School (rated 8.1/10, 6.6 miles away, in nearby Washington), which scores notably higher. For more schools in St. George, see our St. George schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 7.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Little Valley School St. George 3.7 mi 6.5
Sunrise Ridge Intermediate St. George 3.8 mi 7.5
South Mesa Elementary St. George 3.9 mi 8.7
Desert Hills Middle St. George 4.2 mi 7.1
Washington Preschool St. George 4.4 mi 5.6
George Washington Academy St. George 4.7 mi 5.7
Desert Hills High St. George 4.3 mi 5.8
Southern Utah School of the Deaf St. George 4.4 mi
Bloomington Hills School St. George 4.4 mi 7.4
Crimson Cliffs High Washington 4.9 mi 6.4
Crimson Cliffs Middle Washington 5.0 mi 7.5
Crimson View School St. George 5.1 mi 6.3
Freedom Preparatory Academy Washington St. George 4.3 mi 7.4
St. George Academy Washington 6.1 mi 6.8
Bloomington School St. George 5.3 mi 7.5
Washington Fields Intermediate Washington 6.1 mi 7.9
Majestic Fields School Washington 6.2 mi 6.0
Riverside School Washington 6.6 mi 8.1
Heritage School St. George 6.5 mi 8.2
Millcreek High St. George 7.0 mi 6.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 84790 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$85,720

Median Home Value

$500,900

Median Rent

$1,598/mo

Population

54,353

College Educated

38.3%

Homeownership

74.3%

Avg Commute

17.1 min

Poverty Rate

9.1%

Median Age

37.8

Community Profile

The community surrounding Desert Canyons Elementary has a median household income of $85,720. It is an area where 38% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $500,900, with a median rent of $1,598/month. The local poverty rate of 9.1% is relatively low. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 17 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
Butterfield Canyon School Herriman, UT 6.8
Crestview School Salt Lake City, UT 6.8
Escalante School Salt Lake City, UT 6.8
Foothills School Salem, UT 6.8
Greenwood School American Fork, UT 6.8
Lehi School Lehi, UT 6.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Desert Canyons Elementary

What grades does Desert Canyons Elementary serve?

Desert Canyons Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Desert Canyons Elementary?

Desert Canyons Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 605 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Desert Canyons Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Desert Canyons Elementary is 22.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Desert Canyons Elementary rank in UT?

Desert Canyons Elementary is ranked #399 out of 1,014 schools in UT.

What is Desert Canyons Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Desert Canyons Elementary has a composite rating of 6.8 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 Desert Canyons Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Desert Canyons Elementary has 55.4% math proficiency and 50.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Desert Canyons Elementary a charter school?

No, Desert Canyons Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Desert Canyons Elementary a Title I school?

No, Desert Canyons Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Desert Canyons Elementary?

19.7% of students at Desert Canyons Elementary qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
Elevated (1,215/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
605
Student-Teacher Ratio
22.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
27
Free/Reduced Lunch
19.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Washington County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Washington District
District Enrollment
37,575
Schools in District
56
Per-Pupil Spending
$9,106
District Rank
#21 of 53

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

Related 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.