A+
Excellent
92/100

Desert Shadows Middle School

📚 06 – 08 🏫 Middle
📍 5858 E SWEETWATER AVE, Scottsdale, AZ 85254
Overall
A+
92/100 · the blend of everything below
Achievement
A
Reading 63% · Math 57% proficient · 78th 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

92
Repit Score
out of 100
734
Students
enrolled
20.5:1
Student:Teacher
ratio
$14K
Per Student
spending

What Goes Into This Rating

FactorWeightScoreBasis
📚 Academics (reading & math)75%78/100reading 81st percentile, math 75th 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: 13% 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 +10 points better 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 proficiency63% (+20 pts vs. state avg 43%)
Students scoring proficient on the state test, 2018–19
➗ Math proficiency57% (+15 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
White64%59%reading +4 pts, math +1 pts64th percentile (list)
Hispanic62%52%reading +28 pts, math +19 pts87th percentile (list)
Asian75%75%reading +5 pts, math +1 pts63rd percentile (list)
Multiracial75%55%reading +21 pts, math +5 pts76th percentile (list)
Low-income57%52%reading +25 pts, math +21 pts89th 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 5858 E SWEETWATER AVE
City Scottsdale
ZIP Code 85254
District 0405930
NCES School ID 040593000479
Data Year 2024-25

Community Context for 85254

Understanding the community around Desert Shadows Middle School helps evaluate the school environment and neighborhood.

💰 Income & Economy

Median Household Income $114,968
Per Capita Income $64,378
Poverty Rate 2.8%
Households Earning $100K+ 56.0%

🎓 Education Level

Bachelor's Degree or Higher 58.8%
High School or Higher 96.9%

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value $634,400
Median Rent $1,773
Owner-Occupied 72.7%
Renter-Occupied 27.3%
View full data for ZIP 85254 →

Thinking about moving into this school’s area? See what homes and rents actually cost in ZIP 85254 — values, rent, and how it compares to nearby ZIPs. Free, no signup. See 85254 housing costs →

Student Demographics

Enrollment and demographic breakdown for Desert Shadows Middle School.

👫 Gender Distribution

Male 47.3%
Female 52.7%

🌎 Race & Ethnicity

White 68.9%
Hispanic/Latino 18.5%
Two or More Races 5.2%
Black 2.6%
Asian 3.4%
American Indian 1.4%

📋 Enrollment Summary

Total Enrollment 734
Teachers (FTE) 35.9
Student:Teacher Ratio 20.5:1

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Repit School Score for Desert Shadows Middle School?
Desert Shadows Middle School has a Repit School Score of 92 out of 100, earning a grade of A+. 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 Shadows Middle School?
Desert Shadows Middle School has 734 students enrolled for the 2024-25 school year. The student-to-teacher ratio is 20.5:1.
What grades does Desert Shadows Middle School serve?
Desert Shadows Middle School serves grades 06 – 08 and is classified as a Middle. This is a public school.
How much funding does Desert Shadows Middle School receive per student?
Desert Shadows Middle School receives $14,378 in per-pupil spending from its district. This is around the national average.
🏠 Rental Market Around Desert Shadows Middle School in 85254 ▼
Avg Home Value
$905,814
Avg Monthly Rent
$2,517
1-Year Change
+3.9%
% Renters
27.3%

Other Schools in 85254

View all schools and real estate data for 85254 →

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