At a glance
Reported students
743
NCES CCD 2024–25
Teachers (FTE)
36.55
NCES CCD 2024–25
Student–teacher ratio
20.3:1
Calculated; not a class-size measure
Grades served
06–08
NCES preliminary directory 2025–26
School benchmarks
Arizona middle enrollment
80th percentile
Compared with 211 same-level schools reporting enrollment.
District median enrollment
674.5
Desert Sky Middle School: 743 reported students.
State peer staffing position
75th percentile
20.3:1 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
- 793
- Teachers (FTE)
- 39.86
- Student–teacher ratio
- 19.9:1
What the reported data says about Desert Sky Middle School
Desert Sky Middle School is a public middle school serving grades 06–08 in Tucson. It is one of 25 current school records connected to Vail Unified District (4413). NCES reports 743 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 80th percentile for that peer group. Size describes the campus, not instructional quality.
The reported student–teacher ratio is 20.3:1, 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 Hispanic or Latino (44.1%) and White (38.8%). English learners represent 1.4% of enrollment. Students served under IDEA represent 11.2%. 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 Sky Middle School
- 1How do the reported 20.3:1 student–teacher ratio and 36.55 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
- 1.4%
- Students with disabilities
- 11.2%
- Lunch program
- Yes participating without using any Provision or the CEO
Reported support staff
- Counselors (FTE)
- 1
- Nurses (FTE)
- 0
- Psychologists (FTE)
- 0.5
- Social workers (FTE)
- 2
CRDC 2021–22 full-time-equivalent counts; verify current assignments with the school.
Student demographics
Race and ethnicity share of reported enrollment
- White38.8%
- Hispanic44.1%
- Black4.3%
- Asian2.2%
- American Indian / Alaska Native0.9%
- Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander0.7%
- Multiracial9%
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 Vail Unified District (4413)
Start with campuses at the same school level or with similar reported enrollment.
Rincon Vista Middle School
Middle · Grades 06–08
712 reported students
Old Vail Middle School
Middle · Grades 06–08
811 reported students
Corona Foothills Middle School
Middle · Grades 06–08
619 reported students
Esmond Station School
Elementary · Grades PK–08
741 reported students
Ocotillo Ridge Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–05
723 reported students
Senita Valley Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–08
709 reported students
Public schools near Desert Sky 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rincon Vista Middle School Middle · Vail Unified District (4413) | 06–08 | 712 | 2.6 mi |
| Secrist Middle School Middle · Tucson Unified District (4403) | 06–08 | 248 | 5.3 mi |
| Old Vail Middle School Middle · Vail Unified District (4413) | 06–08 | 811 | 5.7 mi |
| Billy Lane Lauffer Middle School Middle · Sunnyside Unified District (4407) | 05–08 | 435 | 5.9 mi |
| Academy of Tucson Middle School Middle · Charter · Academy of Tucson Inc. (78897) | 05–08 | 143 | 7.5 mi |
| Gridley Middle School Middle · Tucson Unified District (4403) | 06–08 | 501 | 7.7 mi |
Frequently asked questions about Desert Sky Middle School
What grades does Desert Sky Middle School serve?
Desert Sky Middle School reports grades 06–08 in the NCES 2025–26 preliminary directory. It is classified as a middle school in Vail Unified District (4413).
How many students attend Desert Sky Middle School?
Desert Sky Middle School reported 743 students in the NCES 2024–25 membership file. That places it near the 80th percentile among 211 Arizona middle schools reporting enrollment. The 2021–22 civil-rights collection recorded 793 students.
What is the student–teacher ratio at Desert Sky Middle School?
The calculated ratio is 20.3:1, based on 743 students and 36.55 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 Sky Middle School a public, charter, or magnet school?
Desert Sky Middle School is a public school and is not a charter school. Enrollment is generally based on Vail Unified District (4413) attendance boundaries and transfer rules.
Which school district is Desert Sky Middle School in?
Desert Sky Middle School is part of Vail Unified District (4413), based in Vail, AZ, which operates 25 current schools. Confirm attendance zones and enrollment rules with the district.
What public schools are near Desert Sky Middle School?
The closest public schools by straight-line distance include Rincon Vista Middle School (2.6 mi), Secrist Middle School (5.3 mi), Old Vail Middle School (5.7 mi). Distance does not determine eligibility; attendance boundaries and program rules do.