D
Needs Improvement
42/100

Desert Sands Academy of Mass Communication & Journalism

📚 06 – 08 🏫 Middle
📍 6308 W CAMPBELL AVE, Phoenix, AZ 85033
Overall
D
42/100 · the blend of everything below
Achievement
D
Reading 23% · Math 16% proficient · 9th percentile in Arizona
Resources
B
Class size, funding, school size and type

Each score is graded separately against Arizona schools. A school can be strong at moving students forward (growth) without having the highest test scores, or the reverse. How we score schools

42
Repit Score
out of 100
518
Students
enrolled
18.2:1
Student:Teacher
ratio
$16K
Per Student
spending

What Goes Into This Rating

FactorWeightScoreBasis
📚 Academics (reading & math)75%9/100reading 13th percentile, math 6th percentile among Arizona middle schools (2018–19 state tests)
🏫 Resources (class size, funding, size, type)25%76/100Inputs from NCES school and district data

Students served: 61% students directly certified for free meals (their families receive SNAP or similar aid). Compared with Arizona schools serving a similar share of low-income students, this school’s reading and math results are −14 points worse than expected. (Context only; not part of the score.)

The overall Repit Score ranks this blend against every rated school in Arizona. Schools are compared within their state because each state sets its own tests and proficiency bar. How we rate schools

Test Scores & Graduation

📖 Reading proficiency23% (−20 pts vs. state avg 43%)
Students scoring proficient on the state test, 2018–19
➗ Math proficiency16% (−26 pts vs. state avg 42%)
Students scoring proficient on the state test, 2018–19

Source: U.S. Department of Education EDFacts via the Urban Institute Education Data Portal. Federal reporting rounds small schools to ranges; we show the midpoint. Proficiency standards differ by state, so compare schools within the same state.

How Student Groups Do Here

Share of each group of students scoring proficient on the Arizona state test (2018–19), compared with the same group of students across the state. Differences between groups are shown as reported; they reflect many factors inside and outside school.

StudentsReadingMathvs. same group statewideRank in state for this group
White25%25%reading -35 pts, math -33 pts4th percentile (list)
Black15%5%reading -14 pts, math -20 pts5th percentile (list)
Hispanic24%17%reading -10 pts, math -16 pts13th percentile (list)
Multiracial10%10%reading -44 pts, math -40 pts0th percentile (list)

Source: U.S. Department of Education EDFacts via the Urban Institute. Groups with fewer than 20 tested students are not shown. Results are achievement (proficiency), not growth; growth by group is not published for individual schools.

School Information

Address 6308 W CAMPBELL AVE
City Phoenix
ZIP Code 85033
District 0401680
NCES School ID 040168000092
Data Year 2024-25

Community Context for 85033

Understanding the community around Desert Sands Academy of Mass Communication & Journalism helps evaluate the school environment and neighborhood.

💰 Income & Economy

Median Household Income $57,045
Per Capita Income $20,136
Poverty Rate 17.2%
Households Earning $100K+ 20.6%

🎓 Education Level

Bachelor's Degree or Higher 6.2%
High School or Higher 64.3%

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value $224,600
Median Rent $1,209
Owner-Occupied 54.5%
Renter-Occupied 45.5%
View full data for ZIP 85033 →

Thinking about moving into this school’s area? See what homes and rents actually cost in ZIP 85033 — values, rent, and how it compares to nearby ZIPs. Free, no signup. See 85033 housing costs →

Student Demographics

Enrollment and demographic breakdown for Desert Sands Academy of Mass Communication & Journalism.

👫 Gender Distribution

Male 54.4%
Female 45.6%

🌎 Race & Ethnicity

Hispanic/Latino 84.9%
Black 7.9%
White 2.5%
Two or More Races 1.9%
American Indian 1.9%
Asian 0.8%

📋 Enrollment Summary

Total Enrollment 518
Teachers (FTE) 28.5
Student:Teacher Ratio 18.2:1

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Repit School Score for Desert Sands Academy of Mass Communication & Journalism?
Desert Sands Academy of Mass Communication & Journalism has a Repit School Score of 42 out of 100, earning a grade of D. The score is based mainly on reading and math proficiency compared with other schools in the state, with class size and funding counting for a smaller share.
How many students attend Desert Sands Academy of Mass Communication & Journalism?
Desert Sands Academy of Mass Communication & Journalism has 518 students enrolled for the 2024-25 school year. The student-to-teacher ratio is 18.2:1.
What grades does Desert Sands Academy of Mass Communication & Journalism serve?
Desert Sands Academy of Mass Communication & Journalism serves grades 06 – 08 and is classified as a Middle. This is a public school.
How much funding does Desert Sands Academy of Mass Communication & Journalism receive per student?
Desert Sands Academy of Mass Communication & Journalism receives $16,285 in per-pupil spending from its district. This is above the national average.
🏠 Rental Market Around Desert Sands Academy of Mass Communication & Journalism in 85033 ▼
Avg Home Value
$326,076
Avg Monthly Rent
$1,367
1-Year Change
-0.2%
% Renters
45.5%

Other Schools in 85033

View all schools and real estate data for 85033 →

About Repit School Scores

Parents choosing a school deserve to see what it actually delivers. Since October 2026 the Repit School Score is built mainly on results:

  • Academics (largest share) — the share of students scoring proficient in reading and math on the state test, ranked against schools of the same level in the same state.
  • Graduation (high schools) — the four-year adjusted cohort graduation rate. Only regular diplomas count; GEDs and certificates of attendance do not.
  • Resources (smaller share) — class size, per-pupil funding, school size and type.

Scores compare schools within their own state, because every state writes its own tests and sets its own proficiency bar. Full methodology

Data sources: NCES CCD 2024-25, U.S. Dept. of Education EDFacts (test results & graduation) | Last updated: October 2026