At a glance
Reported students
928
NCES CCD 2024–25
Teachers (FTE)
36.9
NCES CCD 2024–25
Student–teacher ratio
25.1:1
Calculated; not a class-size measure
Grades served
PK–08
NCES preliminary directory 2025–26
School benchmarks
Arizona elementary enrollment
95th percentile
Compared with 1,189 same-level schools reporting enrollment.
District median enrollment
659
Desert Thunder: 928 reported students.
State peer staffing position
96th percentile
25.1:1 reported; state peer median 16.3:1. Ratio is not class size.
Historical enrollment and staffing · CRDC 2021–22
These older figures are kept separate from 2024–25 statistics and benchmarks. Differences between years can reflect changes in enrollment, staffing, or reporting scope.
- Students
- 883
- Teachers (FTE)
- 46.4
- Student–teacher ratio
- 19:1
What the reported data says about Desert Thunder
Desert Thunder is a public elementary school serving grades PK–08 in GOODYEAR. It is one of 9 current school records connected to Avondale Elementary District (4272). NCES reports 928 students for 2024–25.
Among 1,189 elementary schools in Arizona with comparable records, this school is larger than the reported median of 453 students. Its enrollment is at approximately the 95th percentile for that peer group. Size describes the campus, not instructional quality.
The reported student–teacher ratio is 25.1:1, above the Arizona median of 16.3:1 for the same school level. This ratio uses total enrollment and teacher FTE; it is not an average classroom headcount and can be affected by special programs or part-time staffing.
The largest reported race and ethnicity groups are Hispanic or Latino (61.5%) and White (18.3%). English learners represent 8.3% of enrollment. Students served under IDEA represent 12.2%. These figures help families understand who the school serves; they are not rating inputs.
The 2021–22 civil-rights collection reports gifted and talented programming. Program availability changes, so families should confirm the current catalog and participation rules directly with the school.
Questions worth asking Desert Thunder
- 1How do the reported 25.1:1 student–teacher ratio and 36.9 teacher FTE translate into actual class sizes by grade?
- 2Which advanced, gifted, career, arts, and computer-science courses are available this year, and how do students qualify?
- 3What counseling support is available today? The school reported 1 counselor FTE in 2021–22.
- 4What meal assistance, transportation, after-school, and family-support services are currently available?
Enrollment needs
- English learners
- 8.3%
- Students with disabilities
- 12.2%
- Lunch program
- Yes participating without using any Provision or the CEO
Reported support staff
- Counselors (FTE)
- 1
- Nurses (FTE)
- 1
- Psychologists (FTE)
- 1
- Social workers (FTE)
- 1
CRDC 2021–22 full-time-equivalent counts; verify current assignments with the school.
Student demographics
Race and ethnicity share of reported enrollment
- White18.3%
- Hispanic61.5%
- Black14.9%
- Asian1.5%
- American Indian / Alaska Native0.9%
- Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander0.5%
- Multiracial2.4%
Race/ethnicity: NCES CCD 2024–25. English learner and disability context: CRDC 2021–22. Lunch eligibility: NCES CCD 2024–25. Privacy rules can produce missing values.
Programs reported by the school
Gifted and talented
Offered
CRDC 2021–22: the AP flag records student enrollment; gifted and computer-science fields describe reported programs/classes. Confirm current courses and eligibility with the school.
Other schools in Avondale Elementary District (4272)
Start with campuses at the same school level or with similar reported enrollment.
Copper Trails
Elementary · Grades PK–08
1,020 reported students
Michael Anderson
Elementary · Grades PK–08
834 reported students
Wildflower Accelerated Academy
Elementary · Grades PK–08
750 reported students
Centerra Mirage STEM Academy
Elementary · Grades PK–08
659 reported students
Desert Star
Elementary · Grades PK–08
637 reported students
Eliseo C. Felix School
Elementary · Grades 02–05
516 reported students