At a glance
Reported students
648
NCES CCD 2024–25
Teachers (FTE)
28
NCES CCD 2024–25
Student–teacher ratio
23.1:1
Calculated; not a class-size measure
Grades served
PK–05
NCES preliminary directory 2025–26
School benchmarks
Arizona elementary enrollment
77th percentile
Compared with 1,189 same-level schools reporting enrollment.
District median enrollment
655.5
Desert Sunset Elementary School: 648 reported students.
State peer staffing position
94th percentile
23.1:1 reported; state peer median 16.3:1. Ratio is not class size.
What the reported data says about Desert Sunset Elementary School
Desert Sunset Elementary School is a public elementary school serving grades PK–05 in Buckeye. It is one of 6 current school records connected to Saddle Mountain Unified School District (4254). NCES reports 648 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 77th percentile for that peer group. Size describes the campus, not instructional quality.
The reported student–teacher ratio is 23.1:1, 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 (58.6%) and White (24.4%). These figures help families understand who the school serves; they are not rating inputs.
Questions worth asking Desert Sunset Elementary School
- 1How do the reported 23.1:1 student–teacher ratio and 28 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?
- 3How many counselors, nurses, psychologists, and social workers currently serve students?
- 4What meal assistance, transportation, after-school, and family-support services are currently available?
Enrollment needs
- Lunch program
- Yes participating without using any Provision or the CEO
Student demographics
Race and ethnicity share of reported enrollment
- White24.4%
- Hispanic58.6%
- Black10.2%
- Asian0.3%
- American Indian / Alaska Native1.2%
- Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander0.8%
- Multiracial4.5%
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.
Other schools in Saddle Mountain Unified School District (4254)
Start with campuses at the same school level or with similar reported enrollment.
Winters Well Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–05
663 reported students
Tartesso Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–08
340 reported students
Ruth Fisher Middle School
Other · Grades PK–12
745 reported students
Tonopah Valley High School
High · Grades 07–12
869 reported students
Saddle Mountain Online Academy
Other · Grades KG–12
0 reported students
Public schools near Desert Sunset Elementary School
Closest campuses by straight-line distance between NCES geocodes, favoring the same school level. Distance is not drive time or an attendance assignment.
| School | Grades | Students | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tartesso Elementary School Elementary · Saddle Mountain Unified School District (4254) | PK–08 | 340 | 1.7 mi |
| Winters Well Elementary School Elementary · Saddle Mountain Unified School District (4254) | PK–05 | 663 | 6.4 mi |
| Westpark Elementary School Elementary · Buckeye Elementary District (4269) | PK–08 | 652 | 7.7 mi |
| Imagine Schools at Buckeye Elementary · Charter · West Gilbert Charter Elementary School Inc. (79497) | KG–08 | 441 | 8.7 mi |
| John S McCain III Elementary School Elementary · Buckeye Elementary District (4269) | PK–08 | 777 | 8.9 mi |
| Steven R. Jasinski Elementary School Elementary · Buckeye Elementary District (4269) | PK–08 | 855 | 9.4 mi |
Frequently asked questions about Desert Sunset Elementary School
What grades does Desert Sunset Elementary School serve?
Desert Sunset Elementary School reports grades PK–05 in the NCES 2025–26 preliminary directory. It is classified as an elementary school in Saddle Mountain Unified School District (4254).
How many students attend Desert Sunset Elementary School?
Desert Sunset Elementary School reported 648 students in the NCES 2024–25 membership file. That places it near the 77th percentile among 1,189 Arizona elementary schools reporting enrollment.
What is the student–teacher ratio at Desert Sunset Elementary School?
The calculated ratio is 23.1:1, based on 648 students and 28 full-time-equivalent classroom teachers in 2024–25. The Arizona median for the same school level is 16.3:1. A ratio is not the same as average class size.
Is Desert Sunset Elementary School a public, charter, or magnet school?
Desert Sunset Elementary School is a public school and is not a charter school. Enrollment is generally based on Saddle Mountain Unified School District (4254) attendance boundaries and transfer rules.
Which school district is Desert Sunset Elementary School in?
Desert Sunset Elementary School is part of Saddle Mountain Unified School District (4254), based in Tonopah, AZ, which operates 6 current schools. Confirm attendance zones and enrollment rules with the district.
What public schools are near Desert Sunset Elementary School?
The closest public schools by straight-line distance include Tartesso Elementary School (1.7 mi), Winters Well Elementary School (6.4 mi), Westpark Elementary School (7.7 mi). Distance does not determine eligibility; attendance boundaries and program rules do.