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Desert Sands Academy of Mass Communication & Journalism

Grades 06–08 · PHOENIX, AZ · NCES 040168000092

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6308 W CAMPBELL AVE · PHOENIX, AZ 85033

At a glance

Reported students

510

NCES CCD 2024–25

Teachers (FTE)

27.5

NCES CCD 2024–25

Student–teacher ratio

18.5:1

Calculated; not a class-size measure

Grades served

06–08

NCES preliminary directory 2025–26

School benchmarks

Arizona middle enrollment

52nd percentile

Compared with 211 same-level schools reporting enrollment.

District median enrollment

641

Desert Sands Academy of Mass Communication & Journalism: 510 reported students.

State peer staffing position

54th percentile

18.5:1 reported; state peer median 18.2:1. 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
441
Teachers (FTE)
30
Student–teacher ratio
14.7:1

What the reported data says about Desert Sands Academy of Mass Communication & Journalism

Desert Sands Academy of Mass Communication & Journalism is a public middle school serving grades 06–08 in PHOENIX. It is one of 23 current school records connected to Cartwright Elementary District (4282). NCES reports 510 students for 2024–25.

Among 211 middle schools in Arizona with comparable records, this school is close in size to the reported median of 498 students. Its enrollment is at approximately the 52nd percentile for that peer group. Size describes the campus, not instructional quality.

The reported student–teacher ratio is 18.5:1, close to the Arizona median of 18.2:1 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 (85.7%) and Black (8.4%). English learners represent 19.3% of enrollment. Students served under IDEA represent 10.9%. 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 Sands Academy of Mass Communication & Journalism

  1. 1How do the reported 18.5:1 student–teacher ratio and 27.5 teacher FTE translate into actual class sizes by grade?
  2. 2Which advanced, gifted, career, arts, and computer-science courses are available this year, and how do students qualify?
  3. 3What counseling support is available today? The school reported 1 counselor FTE in 2021–22.
  4. 4Does community eligibility provide breakfast and lunch to every enrolled student, and are summer meals available?
Bring the full school visit checklist →

Enrollment needs

English learners
19.3%
Students with disabilities
10.9%
Lunch program
Yes under Community Eligibility Option (CEO)

Reported support staff

Counselors (FTE)
1
Nurses (FTE)
0
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

  • White2.7%
  • Hispanic85.7%
  • Black8.4%
  • Asian0.6%
  • American Indian / Alaska Native2%
  • Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander0%
  • Multiracial0.6%

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 Cartwright Elementary District (4282)

Start with campuses at the same school level or with similar reported enrollment.

Raul H. Castro Middle School: Academy of Fine Arts

Middle · Grades 06–08

545 reported students

Estrella Middle School College and Career Prep

Middle · Grades 06–08

650 reported students

Marc T. Atkinson Middle School & Gifted Academy

Middle · Grades 06–08

205 reported students

Holiday Park School

Elementary · Grades PK–06

530 reported students

Palm Lane

Elementary · Grades PK–08

602 reported students

Heatherbrae School

Elementary · Grades PK–06

607 reported students

View all 23 district schools →