Beta You're viewing our redesigned school page. Prefer the classic layout?

Desert Sun Academy

Q: Is Desert Sun Academy a good school?

Desert Sun Academy ranks 418 th of 909 Arizona elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Public Grades PK, KG-6

418^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 909 Arizona Elementary Schools

Better than 54% of Arizona elementary schools

Summary

Desert Sun Academy is an elementary school located in Scottsdale, Arizona, serving grades PK-6 with a total enrollment of 241 students. It is part of the Cave Creek Unified District, which is ranked 77 out of 289 districts in Arizona and has a 4-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Academically, Desert Sun Academy's performance, as measured by state assessments, is generally lower than the district and state averages across various grade levels and subjects. For example, in the 2024-2025 school year, the percentage of students proficient or better in English Language Arts (ELA) ranged from 37% to 55%, compared to the district's 60% to 71% and the state's 36% to 46%. Similarly, in mathematics, Desert Sun Academy's proficiency rates ranged from 39% to 55%, while the district and state averages were 37% to 68% and 29% to 42%, respectively. The school's performance in science is also below the district and state, with only 35% of 5th-grade students proficient or better, compared to the district's 54% and the state's 34%.

Interestingly, the nearby schools in the Cave Creek Unified District, such as Black Mountain Elementary, Desert Willow Elementary, and Lone Mountain Elementary, generally outperform Desert Sun Academy in academic assessments and have higher statewide rankings. In contrast, Desert Sun Academy's performance is more in line with the lower-performing schools in the Paradise Valley Unified District, such as Grayhawk Elementary and Fireside Elementary.

191

Students ?

13.2

Student/teacher ratio ?

$2,495

Per pupil spending ?

13.7%

Free/discounted lunch ?

27880 N. 64th Street
Scottsdale, AZ 85266

(480) 575-2900

District: Cave Creek Unified District

Students who attend Desert Sun Academy usually attend:

Middle:	Sonoran Trails Middle School
High:	Cactus Shadows High School

Racial breakdown:

White:

72.8%

Hispanic:

20.4%

Two or more races:

5.2%

See top rated Arizona elementary schools

Compare Desert Sun Academy to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▼ Ranking trend: Declining — 78th percentile in 2015 → 54th in 2025

Strengths

✓Above the Arizona median (54th percentile)

Worth a look

!Ranking has slipped — down 24 percentile points since 2015

!Some student groups rank well below the school's overall statewide standing

!Near the bottom of Cave Creek Unified District's ranking

Students meeting standards (2024-2025) ?

This school42%

District avg63%

Arizona avg39%

418^th of 909

Arizona public elementary schools ?

Top 46%▼ down 24 pts since 2015

From top 22% (2015) to top 46% (2025)

See the entire ranking list of Arizona Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

5^th of 5Elementary Schools in the Cave Creek Unified District

77^th of 289Cave Creek Unified District among Arizona districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2025	46.2	418 of 909	54.0%	★★★☆☆
2024	63.8	298 of 912	67.3%	★★★☆☆
2023	64.9	392 of 1245	68.5%	★★★☆☆
2022	50.3	438 of 1000	56.2%	★★★☆☆
2021	80.8	232 of 1226	81.1%	★★★★☆
2019	72.8	279 of 1039	73.1%	★★★★☆
2018	75.8	266 of 1109	76.0%	★★★★☆
2017	68.7	341 of 1106	69.2%	★★★☆☆
2016	76.5	251 of 1079	76.7%	★★★★☆
2015	75.0	213 of 955	77.7%	★★★★☆
2014	85.4	142 of 1079	86.8%	★★★★☆
2013	75.2	265 of 1158	77.1%	★★★★☆
2012	84.5	115 of 1141	89.9%	★★★★★
2011	82.6	166 of 1075	84.6%	★★★★☆
2010	88.5	83 of 1090	92.4%	★★★★★
2009	87.4	80 of 1062	92.5%	★★★★★

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2021	23.5	791 of 895	11.6%	★☆☆☆☆

English Language Learner

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2021	39.2	754 of 975	22.7%	★☆☆☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2024	48.0	292 of 602	51.5%	★★★☆☆
2023	62.6	402 of 1219	67.0%	★★★☆☆
2022	55.8	353 of 824	57.2%	★★★☆☆
2021	80.9	216 of 1219	82.3%	★★★★☆
2019	62.0	305 of 862	64.6%	★★★☆☆
2018	76.2	238 of 1023	76.7%	★★★★☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2023	48.7	533 of 1170	54.4%	★★★☆☆
2022	55.6	316 of 716	55.9%	★★★☆☆
2021	71.1	246 of 1198	79.5%	★★★★☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2018	54.2	336 of 820	59.0%	★★★☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2024	69.2	161 of 628	74.4%	★★★★☆
2023	63.8	387 of 1216	68.2%	★★★☆☆
2022	49.7	409 of 830	50.7%	★★★☆☆
2021	79.5	222 of 1220	81.8%	★★★★☆
2019	68.2	248 of 850	70.8%	★★★★☆
2018	72.2	280 of 1032	72.9%	★★★★☆

Multi-racial

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2023	38.7	423 of 617	31.4%	★★☆☆☆
2021	47.5	490 of 1027	52.3%	★★★☆☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2023	37.3	500 of 820	39.0%	★★☆☆☆
2021	66.9	190 of 1201	84.2%	★★★★☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2025	20.1	401 of 465	13.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	48.0	256 of 486	47.3%	★★☆☆☆
2023	49.2	503 of 1024	50.9%	★★★☆☆
2022	35.7	560 of 800	30.0%	★★☆☆☆
2021	71.9	277 of 1161	76.1%	★★★★☆
2019	51.0	298 of 595	49.9%	★★★☆☆
2018	65.7	250 of 720	65.3%	★★★☆☆

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

Male (2024)74th percentile+7 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2018)59th percentile-17 vs school

Hispanic (2023)54th percentile-14 vs school

Female (2024)51st percentile-16 vs school

Special Education (2023)39th percentile-29 vs school

Multi-racial (2023)31st percentile-37 vs school

English Language Learner (2021)23rd percentile-58 vs school

White (2025)14th percentile-40 vs school

African American (2021)12th percentile-69 vs school

By subject vs Arizona (2024-2025) ?

English Language Arts46%+4 vs state

Mathematics39%~ state avg

Science35%~ state avg

5.0

4 ratings · 1 written review

5★4

4★0

3★0

2★0

1★0

Rate Desert Sun Academy

Have first-hand experience? A quick rating - and a sentence or two about what stands out (teachers, academics, safety, communication) - helps other families know what to expect.

Takes about a minute. We email you a link to verify your review - your address is never shown publicly.

Tap a star to rate

What people are saying

by a parent
Friday, March 12, 2021

Staff and teachers are extremely helpful and kind! Principal really cares about the kids and works hard to make sure they have the things they need for their classes. Language program is amazing!! Close Quote

Schools Near Desert Sun Academy

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2025)				Ranking (2024)				AASA English Language Arts (2025)						AASA Mathematics (2025)						AzSCI Science (2025)		Per Pupil Expenditures (2022)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	SchoolDigger Rating (2025)	Average Standard Score (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	Rank Change from Previous Year	AASA English Language Arts 3rd Grade	AASA English Language Arts 4th Grade	AASA English Language Arts 5th Grade	AASA English Language Arts 6th Grade	AASA English Language Arts 7th Grade	AASA English Language Arts 8th Grade	AASA Mathematics 3rd Grade	AASA Mathematics 4th Grade	AASA Mathematics 5th Grade	AASA Mathematics 6th Grade	AASA Mathematics 7th Grade	AASA Mathematics 8th Grade	AzSCI Science 5th Grade	AzSCI Science 8th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures: Total	Personnel Spending from Federal Funds	Non-Personnel Spending from Federal Funds	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Personnel Spending from State and Local Funds	Non-Personnel from State and Local Funds	Sub-total Spending from State and Local Funds
Desert Sun Academy	Public	PK, KG-6	27880 N. 64th Street	Scottsdale	85266	Maricopa County	Cave Creek Unified District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(480) 575-2900	191	14	13.2		139 (72.8%)	3 (1.6%)	39 (20.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	10 (5.2%)	46.2	418^th of 909 public elementary schools	54.0%		63.8	298^th of 912 public elementary schools	67.3%	120		55.0	37.0						39.0				35.0		$2,495	$80	$57	$216	$1,867	$491	$2,358
Horseshoe Trails Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-6	5405 E. Pinnacle Vista Drive	Phoenix	85054	Maricopa County	Cave Creek Unified District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(480) 272-8500	424	24	17.7		339 (80.0%)	8 (1.9%)	38 (9.0%)	11 (2.6%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	27 (6.4%)	86.7	101^st of 909 public elementary schools	88.9%		86.7	104^th of 912 public elementary schools	88.6%	3	57.0	79.0	73.0	46.0			68.0	78.0	78.0	52.0			70.0		$2,778	$105	$60	$271	$1,959	$653	$2,612
Lone Mountain Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-6	5250 E. Montgomery Rd.	Cave Creek	85331	Maricopa County	Cave Creek Unified District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(480) 437-3000	376	25	14.9		304 (80.9%)	2 (0.5%)	36 (9.6%)	7 (1.9%)	2 (0.5%)	1 (0.3%)	24 (6.4%)	86.3	105^th of 909 public elementary schools	88.4%		84.4	129^th of 912 public elementary schools	85.9%	24	70.0	67.0	54.0	85.0			81.0	62.0	63.0	66.0			48.0		$2,966	$130	$36	$296	$2,132	$668	$2,801
Candeo North Scottsdale	Public, Charter	K-8	7191 E Ashler Hills Dr	Scottsdale	85266	Maricopa County	Candeo Schools Inc.	Yes	(n/a)	No	No	(480) 923-9963	70	16	4.3		55 (78.6%)	1 (1.4%)	4 (5.7%)	4 (5.7%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	6 (8.6%)								(n/a)																$00			$00
Desert Willow Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-6	4322 E Desert Willow Parkway	Cave Creek	85331	Maricopa County	Cave Creek Unified District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(480) 575-2800	338	23	14.7		237 (70.1%)	0 (0.0%)	71 (21.0%)	9 (2.7%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	21 (6.2%)	75.2	204^th of 909 public elementary schools	77.6%		83	144^th of 912 public elementary schools	84.2%	60	66.0	61.0	60.0	60.0			39.0	46.0	70.0	58.0			54.0		$2,222	$129	$50	$308	$1,544	$499	$2,043
Pinnacle Peak Preparatory	Public	PK, KG-8	7690 E Williams Dr	Scottsdale	85255	Maricopa County	Paradise Valley Unified District	No	(n/a)	No	No	(602) 449-6700	474	32	15.0		355 (74.9%)	9 (1.9%)	54 (11.4%)	10 (2.1%)	1 (0.2%)	4 (0.8%)	41 (8.6%)	88.2	83^rd of 909 public elementary schools	90.9%		88.8	80^th of 912 public elementary schools	91.2%	3	76.0	85.0	49.0	69.0	65.0	70.0	80.0	89.0	75.0	66.0	50.0	71.0	44.0	71.0	$7,997	$315	$131	$762	$7,067	$484	$7,551
Black Mountain Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-6	33606 N 60th St	Scottsdale	85266	Maricopa County	Cave Creek Unified District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(480) 575-2100	496	32	15.5		382 (77.0%)	7 (1.4%)	66 (13.3%)	7 (1.4%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	33 (6.7%)	85.3	114^th of 909 public elementary schools	87.5%		81.7	151^st of 912 public elementary schools	83.4%	37	67.0	81.0	65.0	51.0			69.0	75.0	75.0	48.0			52.0		$2,686	$103	$48	$254	$2,064	$470	$2,535
Desert Trails Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-7	4315 E Cashman Dr	Phoenix	85050	Maricopa County	Paradise Valley Unified District	No	(n/a)	No	No	(602) 449-4100	590	41	14.2		425 (72.0%)	8 (1.4%)	71 (12.0%)	38 (6.4%)	3 (0.5%)	1 (0.2%)	44 (7.5%)	97.1	9^th of 909 public elementary schools	99.0%		97.5	9^th of 912 public elementary schools	99.0%		72.0	76.0	80.0	93.0			81.0	80.0	94.0	96.0			66.0		$8,573	$387	$135	$908	$7,715	$337	$8,052
Wildfire Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-6	3997 E Lockwood Dr	Phoenix	85050	Maricopa County	Paradise Valley Unified District	No	(n/a)	No	No	(602) 449-4300	394	29	13.8		304 (77.2%)	5 (1.3%)	53 (13.5%)	9 (2.3%)	1 (0.3%)	1 (0.3%)	21 (5.3%)	92.4	54^th of 909 public elementary schools	94.1%		90.3	68^th of 912 public elementary schools	92.5%	14	86.0	88.0	65.0	76.0			80.0	78.0	68.0	56.0			56.0		$8,321	$181	$170	$533	$7,526	$444	$7,970
Grayhawk Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-6	7525 E Grayhawk Dr	Scottsdale	85255	Maricopa County	Paradise Valley Unified District	No	(n/a)	No	No	(602) 449-6600	408	29	14.0		320 (78.4%)	9 (2.2%)	49 (12.0%)	5 (1.2%)	2 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	23 (5.6%)	84.4	123^rd of 909 public elementary schools	86.5%		75.9	197^th of 912 public elementary schools	78.4%	74	83.0	70.0	56.0	74.0			77.0	66.0	51.0	61.0			46.0		$10,444	$407	$244	$1,058	$9,264	$529	$9,793

Frequently Asked Questions about Desert Sun Academy

What district is Desert Sun Academy in?

Cave Creek Unified District

What schools do graduates of Desert Sun Academy attend?

Students who attend Desert Sun Academy usually go on to attend:

Middle : Sonoran Trails Middle School
High : Cactus Shadows High School

How many students attend Desert Sun Academy?

In the 2024-25 school year, 191 students attended Desert Sun Academy.

What is the racial makeup of Desert Sun Academy?

Students at Desert Sun Academy are 73% White, 20% Hispanic, 5% Two or more races, 2% African American.

Is Desert Sun Academy a good school?

Desert Sun Academy ranks 418^th of 909 Arizona elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Rate Desert Sun Academy!

Other helpful SchoolDigger resources...

Compare to nearby schools

AZArizona Elementary School Rankings

AZArizona District Rankings

Schools in Scottsdale, AZ

Sign up for updates!

Be the first to know when there is an update for Desert Sun Academy!

SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Arizona Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.