Desert Shadows Middle School

5858 E Sweetwater Ave
Scottsdale, AZ 85254
(School attendance zone shown in map)
9/
10
Top 20%
Serving 780 students in grades 6-8, Desert Shadows Middle School ranks in the top 20% of all schools in Arizona for overall test scores (math proficiency is top 20%, and reading proficiency is top 20%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 53% (which is higher than the Arizona state average of 35%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 63% (which is higher than the Arizona state average of 40%).
The student:teacher ratio of 21:1 is higher than the Arizona state level of 17:1.
Minority enrollment is 29% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is lower than the Arizona state average of 65% (majority Hispanic).

Quick Stats (2024-25)

  • School Type: Magnet School
  • Grades: 6-8
  • Enrollment: 780 students
  • Student:Teacher Ratio: 21:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 29%
  • : Top 20% in AZ
  • : 53% (Top 20%)
  • : 63% (Top 20%)
  • : 37% (Top 30%)
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), AZ Dept. of Education

Top Rankings

Desert Shadows Middle School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Arizona for:

Category
Attribute

School Overview

Desert Shadows Middle School's student population of 780 students has declined by 12% over five school years.
The teacher population of 38 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
School Type
Grades Offered
Grades 6-8
Total Students
780 students
This chart displays total students of Desert Shadows Middle School by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Gender %
This chart displays gender of Desert Shadows Middle School
Total Classroom Teachers
38 teachers
This chart displays the total teachers of Desert Shadows Middle School by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Students by Grade
This chart displays the students of Desert Shadows Middle School by grade.

School Rankings

Desert Shadows Middle School ranks within the top 20% of all 1,956 schools in Arizona (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Desert Shadows Middle School is 0.47, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.66. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
This School
State Level (AZ)
#277 out of 1956 schools
(Top 20%)
This chart displays the overall school rank of Desert Shadows Middle School, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
53%
35%
This chart displays the percentage of students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Math of Desert Shadows Middle School and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Math of public schools in Arizona by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
63%
40%
This chart displays the percentage of students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Reading/Language Arts of Desert Shadows Middle School and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Reading/Language Arts of Arizona by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
37%
24%
Student : Teacher Ratio
21:1
17:1
This chart displays the student teacher ratio of Desert Shadows Middle School and the public school average student teacher ratio of Arizona by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
American Indian
n/a
5%
This chart displays the percentage of American Indian students in Desert Shadows Middle School and percentage of American Indian public school students in Arizona by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
Asian
4%
3%
This chart displays the percentage of Asian students in Desert Shadows Middle School and the percentage of Asian public school students in Arizona by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Hispanic
17%
47%
This chart displays the percentage of Hispanic students in Desert Shadows Middle School and the percentage of Hispanic public school students in Arizona by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Black
3%
6%
This chart displays the percentage of Black students in Desert Shadows Middle School and the percentage of Black public school students in Arizona by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
White
71%
35%
This chart displays the percentage of White students in Desert Shadows Middle School and the percentage of White public school students in Arizona by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
Two or more races
5%
4%
This chart displays the percentage of students of two or more races in Desert Shadows Middle School and the percentage of public school students of two or more races in Arizona by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
All Ethnic Groups
This chart displays the percentage breakdown of students of all ethnic groups in Desert Shadows Middle School.
This chart displays the percentage breakdown of public school students of all ethnic groups in Arizona.
0.47
This chart displays the diversity score of Desert Shadows Middle School and the public school average diversity score of Arizona by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Eligible for Free Lunch
5%
39%
This chart displays the percentage of students who is eligible for free lunch in Desert Shadows Middle School and the percentage of public school students who is eligible for free lunch in Arizona by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
2%
7%
This chart displays the percentage of students who is eligible for reduced lunch in Desert Shadows Middle School and the percentage of public school students who is eligible for reduced lunch in Arizona by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), AZ Dept. of Education

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Desert Shadows Middle School's ranking?
Desert Shadows Middle School is ranked #277 out of 1,956 schools, which ranks it among the top 20% of public schools in Arizona.
What schools are Desert Shadows Middle School often compared to?
Desert Shadows Middle Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Sunrise Middle School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
53% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 35% AZ state average), while 63% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 40% AZ state average).
How many students attend Desert Shadows Middle School?
780 students attend Desert Shadows Middle School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
71% of Desert Shadows Middle School students are White, 17% of students are Hispanic, 5% of students are Two or more races, 4% of students are Asian, and 3% of students are Black.
What is the student:teacher ratio of Desert Shadows Middle School?
Desert Shadows Middle School has a student ration of 21:1, which is higher than the Arizona state average of 17:1.
What grades does Desert Shadows Middle School offer ?
Desert Shadows Middle School offers enrollment in grades 6-8
What school district is Desert Shadows Middle School part of?
Desert Shadows Middle School is part of Paradise Valley Unified District (4241) School District.
In what neighborhood is Desert Shadows Middle School located?
Desert Shadows Middle School is located in the Paradise Valley Village neighborhood of Scottsdale, AZ. There are 6 other public schools located in Paradise Valley Village.

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Quick Stats (2024-25)

  • School Type: Magnet School
  • Grades: 6-8
  • Enrollment: 780 students
  • Student:Teacher Ratio: 21:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 29%
  • : Top 20%
  • : 53% (Top 20%)
  • : 63% (Top 20%)
  • : 37% (Top 30%)
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), AZ Dept. of Education

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