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A−
Schools in New River · Deer Valley Unified District

New River’s public schools outscore 81% of Arizona districts

On the state math tests, 52% of New River’s students scored proficient, above the Arizona average (35%). The grade covers the public school district serving New River, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Arizona, not nationally.

#6of 139 Arizona townsK–12Where will my kid go?

From Arizona state tests taken in spring 2022, when 100% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.

Reading proficiency
56%
▲ 16 pts vs AZ 40%
2021–22
Math proficiency
52%
▲ 17 pts vs AZ 35%
2021–22
Graduate on time
95%
▲ 17 pts vs AZ 78%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$11.4K
▼ 7% vs AZ $12.3K
FY2024
Students per teacher
16.8
AZ 17.2
Schools in town
3
11,611 students on the public path
In brief

New River’s schools, in brief

Against towns with similar incomes

Among the 41 Arizona towns with household incomes within a quarter of New River’s, its schools beat 76%, lower than their 81% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓

Above the state on both counts

Reading proficiency is 56% and math 52% in spring 2022, against 40% and 35% statewide; 95% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 78%. Test scores ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $11,444 per student, against $12,318 across Arizona (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

Two elementary schools, then five high schools

Which school depends on the address at every step. See the path ↓

Choice beyond the district

Stepping Stones Academy is in town. Every school ↓

Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.

The School Grade

What’s behind New River’s grade

A− Test scoresA− Graduation

A−: better than 81% of Arizona school districts, #6 of 139 Arizona towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the Arizona average; graduation is the stronger of the two.

Arizona school districts we grade (577)Better than 81%
Lower resultsHigher results
Arizona towns with similar household incomes (41)Better than 76%
A firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 17,279 test results and a graduating class of 2,575 wouldn’t change the letter. The tests are from spring 2022, when 100% of New River’s students in the tested grades sat them (17,326 in math, 17,232 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve New River, with each school’s own grade.

The path, start to finish
PK–82 schoolsDepends on your addressB+ to A−
9–125 high schoolsDepends on your addressB− to A−

New River’s public schools are run by Deer Valley Unified District, which also serves Cave Creek, Glendale, Peoria and Phoenix. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.

The district

Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.

Deer Valley Unified DistrictGrades PK–12 · 41 schools · 32,265 students · 16.8 per teacher (AZ 17.2)
$11,444AZ $12,318 · FY2024
A−
Test scores · 2021–22

Well above the state in reading

Reading56%
State average 40.4% · 17232 students tested
Math52%
State average 34.8% · 17326 students tested

New River vs. its neighbors

Schools grades for the Arizona towns that share New River’s borders.

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
New RiverA−Deer Valley Unified District
PhoenixB+Deer Valley Unified District PK–12 · Phoenix Union High 9–12
Cave CreekA−Cave Creek Unified District PK–12 · Deer Valley Unified District PK–12

All 2 neighbors share Deer Valley Unified District with New River, so their letters differ mainly through other districts.

Every school in New River

8 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Arizona’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).

District schools in New Riverby address
Desert Mountain School
Elementary · Grades PK–8 · Desert Hills
A−
438 students16:1Rate it →
New River Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–6 · Phoenix
B+
162 students13:1Rate it →
Also serving New Riverin other towns
Mountain Ridge High School
High · Grades 7–12 · Glendale
A−
2,823 students24:1Rate it →
Sandra Day O'Connor High School
High · Grades 7–12 · Glendale
B+
2,658 students24:1Rate it →
Boulder Creek High School
High · Grades 7–12 · Anthem
B+
2,221 students23:1Rate it →
Deer Valley High School
High · Grades 7–12 · Glendale
B+
1,707 students9:1Rate it →
Barry Goldwater High School
High · Grades 7–12 · Phoenix
B−
1,602 students18:1Rate it →
Charter schoolsfree, open by application
Stepping Stones Academy
Elementary · Grades K–8 · Phoenix
A−
Charter
221 studentsRate it →

Questions about New River’s schools

Are New River’s schools good?

By Arizona’s own tests, yes: the public schools New River children attend outscore 81% of Arizona’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A− Schools grade, #6 of 139 Arizona towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 76%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is New River in?

Deer Valley Unified District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 32,265 students in 41 schools (2024–25).

Where do New River kids go to high school?

One of 5 high schools, depending on your address: Mountain Ridge High School, Sandra Day O'Connor High School, Boulder Creek High School, Deer Valley High School and Barry Goldwater High School.

What is New River’s graduation rate?

95% of the class of 2023 in Deer Valley Unified District graduated in four years, against 78% across Arizona.

How much does New River spend per student?

$11,444 in Deer Valley Unified District (FY2024), against $12,318 across Arizona. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Parents talk

What New River families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near New River → They have their own page.

School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Arizona. Stars are from neighbors.