At a glance
Reported students
423
NCES CCD 2024–25
Teachers (FTE)
28
NCES CCD 2024–25
Student–teacher ratio
15.1:1
Calculated; not a class-size measure
Grades served
06–08
NCES preliminary directory 2025–26
School benchmarks
Arizona middle enrollment
40th percentile
Compared with 211 same-level schools reporting enrollment.
District median enrollment
564.5
Desert Canyon Middle School: 423 reported students.
State peer staffing position
28th percentile
15.1:1 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
- 486
- Teachers (FTE)
- 26.75
- Student–teacher ratio
- 18.2:1
What the reported data says about Desert Canyon Middle School
Desert Canyon Middle School is a public middle school serving grades 06–08 in Scottsdale. It is one of 30 current school records connected to Scottsdale Unified District (4240). NCES reports 423 students for 2024–25.
Among 211 middle schools in Arizona with comparable records, this school is smaller than the reported median of 498 students. Its enrollment is at approximately the 40th percentile for that peer group. Size describes the campus, not instructional quality.
The reported student–teacher ratio is 15.1:1, below 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 (70%) and Hispanic or Latino (12.1%). English learners represent 2.9% of enrollment. Students served under IDEA represent 6.8%. 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 Canyon Middle School
- 1How do the reported 15.1:1 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?
- 3What counseling support is available today? The school reported 1.4 counselor FTE in 2021–22.
- 4What meal assistance, transportation, after-school, and family-support services are currently available?
Enrollment needs
- English learners
- 2.9%
- Students with disabilities
- 6.8%
- Lunch program
- Yes participating without using any Provision or the CEO
Reported support staff
- Counselors (FTE)
- 1.4
- Nurses (FTE)
- 1.2
- Psychologists (FTE)
- 0.5
- 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
- White70%
- Hispanic12.1%
- Black4.7%
- Asian8.3%
- American Indian / Alaska Native0.9%
- Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander0.2%
- Multiracial3.8%
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 Scottsdale Unified District (4240)
Start with campuses at the same school level or with similar reported enrollment.
Mountainside Middle School
Middle · Grades 06–08
518 reported students
Mohave Middle School
Middle · Grades 06–08
753 reported students
Ingleside Middle School
Middle · Grades 06–08
789 reported students
Cocopah Middle School
Middle · Grades 06–08
861 reported students
Anasazi Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–05
423 reported students
Redfield Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–06
420 reported students
Public schools near Desert Canyon Middle 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mission Montessori Academy's Middle Years Program Middle · Charter · The Farm at Mission Montessori Academy (91340) | 04–08 | 43 | 2.8 mi |
| Mountainside Middle School Middle · Scottsdale Unified District (4240) | 06–08 | 518 | 4.2 mi |
| Cocopah Middle School Middle · Scottsdale Unified District (4240) | 06–08 | 861 | 5.1 mi |
| Desert Shadows Middle School Middle · Paradise Valley Unified District (4241) | 05–08 | 791 | 5.5 mi |
| Sunrise Middle School Middle · Paradise Valley Unified District (4241) | 05–08 | 390 | 6.4 mi |
| Fountain Hills Middle School Middle · Fountain Hills Unified District (4247) | 04–08 | 250 | 7.3 mi |
Frequently asked questions about Desert Canyon Middle School
What grades does Desert Canyon Middle School serve?
Desert Canyon Middle School reports grades 06–08 in the NCES 2025–26 preliminary directory. It is classified as a middle school in Scottsdale Unified District (4240).
How many students attend Desert Canyon Middle School?
Desert Canyon Middle School reported 423 students in the NCES 2024–25 membership file. That places it near the 40th percentile among 211 Arizona middle schools reporting enrollment. The 2021–22 civil-rights collection recorded 486 students.
What is the student–teacher ratio at Desert Canyon Middle School?
The calculated ratio is 15.1:1, based on 423 students and 28 full-time-equivalent classroom teachers in 2024–25. The Arizona median for the same school level is 18.2:1. A ratio is not the same as average class size.
Is Desert Canyon Middle School a public, charter, or magnet school?
Desert Canyon Middle School is a public school and is not a charter school. Enrollment is generally based on Scottsdale Unified District (4240) attendance boundaries and transfer rules.
Which school district is Desert Canyon Middle School in?
Desert Canyon Middle School is part of Scottsdale Unified District (4240), based in Scottsdale, AZ, which operates 30 current schools. Confirm attendance zones and enrollment rules with the district.
What public schools are near Desert Canyon Middle School?
The closest public schools by straight-line distance include Mission Montessori Academy's Middle Years Program (2.8 mi), Mountainside Middle School (4.2 mi), Cocopah Middle School (5.1 mi). Distance does not determine eligibility; attendance boundaries and program rules do.