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Desert Shadows Middle School

Grades 05–08 · SCOTTSDALE, AZ · NCES 040593000479

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5858 E SWEETWATER AVE · SCOTTSDALE, AZ 85254

At a glance

Reported students

791

NCES CCD 2024–25

Teachers (FTE)

39.35

NCES CCD 2024–25

Student–teacher ratio

20.1:1

Calculated; not a class-size measure

Grades served

05–08

NCES preliminary directory 2025–26

School benchmarks

Arizona middle enrollment

84th percentile

Compared with 211 same-level schools reporting enrollment.

District median enrollment

533

Desert Shadows Middle School: 791 reported students.

State peer staffing position

73rd percentile

20.1:1 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
871
Teachers (FTE)
40.7
Student–teacher ratio
21.4:1

What the reported data says about Desert Shadows Middle School

Desert Shadows Middle School is a public middle school serving grades 05–08 in SCOTTSDALE. It is one of 42 current school records connected to Paradise Valley Unified District (4241). NCES reports 791 students for 2024–25.

Among 211 middle schools in Arizona with comparable records, this school is larger than the reported median of 498 students. Its enrollment is at approximately the 84th percentile for that peer group. Size describes the campus, not instructional quality.

The reported student–teacher ratio is 20.1:1, above 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 White (69.2%) and Hispanic or Latino (17.6%). English learners represent 0.8% 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 Shadows Middle School

  1. 1How do the reported 20.1:1 student–teacher ratio and 39.35 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 2 counselor FTE in 2021–22.
  4. 4What meal assistance, transportation, after-school, and family-support services are currently available?
Bring the full school visit checklist →

Enrollment needs

English learners
0.8%
Students with disabilities
12.2%
Lunch program
Yes participating without using any Provision or the CEO

Reported support staff

Counselors (FTE)
2
Nurses (FTE)
1
Psychologists (FTE)
0.8
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

  • White69.2%
  • Hispanic17.6%
  • Black1.8%
  • Asian3.3%
  • American Indian / Alaska Native1.6%
  • Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander0.1%
  • Multiracial6.4%

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 Paradise Valley Unified District (4241)

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

Mountain Trail Middle School

Middle · Grades 05–08

835 reported students

Greenway Middle School

Middle · Grades 05–08

646 reported students

Explorer Middle School

Middle · Grades 05–08

607 reported students

Shea Middle School

Middle · Grades 05–08

476 reported students

Sunrise Middle School

Middle · Grades 05–08

390 reported students

Fireside Elementary School

Elementary · Grades PK–06

693 reported students

View all 42 district schools →