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A−

Desert Shadows Middle School

PublicMiddleGrades 5–8

5858 E Sweetwater Ave, Scottsdale, AZ 85254 · (602) 449-6800 · Part of Paradise Valley Unified District

Phoenix’s School Grade B+ better than 73% of Arizona school districts

Directions
Students
791
Students per teacher
20:1
Setting
City
Grades
5–8
The gist

What stands out about Desert Shadows Middle School

  • Its own letter, A−: reading and math results near the top of Arizona’s public schools
  • Math proficiency 14 pts above the state
  • Reading / language arts 14 pts above the state
  • Larger classes: 20 students per teacher
  • Enrollment down 9.5% since 2020–21

Test scores

2020–21
Math proficiency45%
State average 31.2%
Reading / language arts52%
State average 38.5%

Its own letter, A−, places these results among Arizona’s 1,781 public schools with results. Source: EDFacts via Urban Institute Education Data Portal (SY2020-21).

Location

Directions ↗

5858 E Sweetwater Ave, Scottsdale

Students

Enrollment by grade
Grade 7417
Grade 8374
Enrollment over time
874’20
877’21
780’22
734’23
791’24

Down 9.5% since 2020–21.

Who goes here
White 69%Hispanic 18%Two or more races 6%Asian 3%Black 2%American Indian/Alaska Native 2%Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander <1%

As reported to NCES, share of students with a reported race or ethnicity.

Parents talk

Questions and answers about Desert Shadows Middle School from Phoenix families.

Other schools in Paradise Valley Unified District

The district →
Fireside Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–6 · Phoenix
A+
693 students16:1
Sky Crossing Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–6 · Phoenix
628 students15:1
Boulder Creek Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–6 · Phoenix
A+
621 students18:1
Campo Bello Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–6 · Phoenix
C+
596 students14:1
Desert Trails Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–7 · Phoenix
A+
590 students14:1
Palomino Primary School
Elementary · Grades PK–6 · Phoenix
C−
590 students15:1

School facts: U.S. Department of Education (NCES), 2024–2025 school year. Test scores: EDFacts via Urban Institute Education Data Portal (SY2020-21). A school’s letter is our own summary of its reading and math results against Arizona’s other public schools; Phoenix’s School Grade is built from its districts’ results. Map: © OpenStreetMap contributors.