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Desert Spirit

Public Grades PK, KG-8

794^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 909 Arizona Elementary Schools

Better than 13% of Arizona elementary schools

Summary

Desert Spirit is an elementary school located in Glendale, Arizona, serving grades PK-8 with a total enrollment of 683 students. The school is part of the Glendale Elementary District, which is ranked 237 out of 289 districts in Arizona and has a 1-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Desert Spirit consistently ranks in the bottom quartile of Arizona elementary schools, with academic performance significantly below the state and district averages across various subjects and grade levels. For example, in 2024-2025, only 19% of 8th-grade students were proficient or better in science, compared to 30% statewide and 18% in the Glendale Elementary District. Proficiency rates in English Language Arts and Mathematics are also low, ranging from 15% to 28% for different grade levels, compared to state averages of 36% to 46%. The school has also experienced a concerning increase in dropout rates, rising from 3.3% in 2019-2020 to 6.1% in 2022-2023.

While Desert Spirit's per-student spending is relatively high, ranging from $9,067 to $13,564 over the past four years, and its student-teacher ratio is within the typical range, the school's performance is still significantly worse than other schools in the Glendale Elementary District, such as Challenger Middle School and Discovery School. However, Desert Spirit's performance is better than some nearby schools outside the district, such as Desert Mirage Elementary School in the Pendergast Elementary District.

682

Students ?

19.2

Student/teacher ratio ?

$10,410

Per pupil spending ?

83.9%

Free/discounted lunch ?

7355 W Orangewood Ave
Glendale, AZ 85303-1645

(623) 237-4016

District: Glendale Elementary District

Students who attend Desert Spirit usually attend:

High:

Glendale High School

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:

76.7%

African American:

8.8%

White:

6.3%

See top rated Arizona elementary schools

Compare Desert Spirit to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▬ Ranking trend: Holding steady — 9th percentile in 2014 → 13th in 2025

Worth a look

!Test scores below the Arizona average (24% vs 38% meeting standards)

!In the lower quartile statewide (13th percentile)

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

Students meeting standards (2024-2025) ?

This school24%

District avg25%

Arizona avg38%

Elementary school

794^th of 909

Arizona public elementary schools ?

Bottom 13%▲ up 9 pts since 2015

From bottom 3% (2015) to bottom 13% (2025)

See the entire ranking list of Arizona Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

Middle school

426^th of 552

Arizona public middle schools ?

Bottom 23%▲ up 8 pts since 2015

From bottom 14% (2015) to bottom 23% (2025)

See the entire ranking list of Arizona Middle Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

7^th of 10Elementary Schools in the Glendale Elementary District

237^th of 289Glendale Elementary 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)

Elementary school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2025	14.5	794 of 909	12.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	15.2	1106 of 1245	11.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	14.1	861 of 1000	13.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	22.4	938 of 1226	23.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	33.9	638 of 1039	38.6%	★★☆☆☆
2018	41.5	594 of 1109	46.4%	★★☆☆☆
2017	28.4	771 of 1106	30.3%	★★☆☆☆
2016	22.2	853 of 1079	20.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2015	10.0	923 of 955	3.4%	☆☆☆☆☆
2014	14.4	983 of 1079	8.9%	☆☆☆☆☆
2013	22.0	1007 of 1158	13.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2012	25.6	963 of 1141	15.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2011	24.1	878 of 1075	18.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2010	29.1	823 of 1090	24.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2009	23.7	877 of 1062	17.4%	★☆☆☆☆

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2023	52.2	268 of 607	55.8%	★★★☆☆
2021	44.8	406 of 895	54.6%	★★★☆☆

Asian

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2023	10.5	307 of 316	2.8%	☆☆☆☆☆
2022	16.3	261 of 270	3.3%	☆☆☆☆☆
2021	17.8	558 of 620	10.0%	★☆☆☆☆

English Language Learner

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2023	17.0	428 of 451	5.1%	☆☆☆☆☆
2021	41.7	439 of 975	55.0%	★★★☆☆
2018	62.0	27 of 155	82.6%	★★★★☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2023	15.0	1113 of 1219	8.7%	☆☆☆☆☆
2021	25.0	908 of 1219	25.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	24.8	629 of 862	27.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	39.6	591 of 1023	42.2%	★★☆☆☆

Foster Care

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2021	53.2	67 of 306	78.1%	★★★★☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2025	18.5	425 of 496	14.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	17.9	1048 of 1170	10.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	17.5	630 of 716	12.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	25.9	930 of 1198	22.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	37.2	422 of 709	40.5%	★★☆☆☆
2018	50.4	397 of 911	56.4%	★★★☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2025	17.5	491 of 549	10.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	19.9	979 of 1116	12.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	18.4	546 of 618	11.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	56.8	312 of 820	62.0%	★★★☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2023	16.3	1081 of 1216	11.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	22.5	961 of 1220	21.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	33.4	524 of 850	38.4%	★★☆☆☆
2018	43.3	545 of 1032	47.2%	★★☆☆☆

Multi-racial

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2021	40.3	603 of 1027	41.3%	★★☆☆☆

Native American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2021	71.5	59 of 654	91.0%	★★★★★

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2021	33.6	798 of 1201	33.6%	★★☆☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2023	13.3	959 of 1024	6.3%	☆☆☆☆☆
2021	38.8	733 of 1161	36.9%	★★☆☆☆
2018	20.5	607 of 720	15.7%	★☆☆☆☆

Middle school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2025	19.4	426 of 552	22.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	19.1	437 of 550	20.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	16.5	748 of 854	12.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	26.7	588 of 832	29.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	22.9	452 of 605	25.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	30.5	470 of 711	33.9%	★★☆☆☆
2017	26.3	497 of 695	28.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2016	22.7	523 of 677	22.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2015	18.1	446 of 521	14.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2014	29.7	506 of 690	26.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2013	32.6	588 of 787	25.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2012	40.3	492 of 772	36.3%	★★☆☆☆
2011	32.5	482 of 685	29.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2010	30.6	519 of 692	25.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2009	26.8	520 of 663	21.6%	★☆☆☆☆

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2023	43.6	209 of 400	47.8%	★★☆☆☆
2021	49.0	207 of 573	63.9%	★★★☆☆

Asian

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2023	25.3	216 of 247	12.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	25.3	172 of 192	10.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	28.7	332 of 404	17.8%	★☆☆☆☆

English Language Learner

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2021	48.8	134 of 606	77.9%	★★★★☆
2018	56.6	10 of 31	67.7%	★★★★☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2023	17.1	708 of 806	12.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	20.2	696 of 820	15.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	15.8	391 of 466	16.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	33.0	394 of 624	36.9%	★★☆☆☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2023	16.3	698 of 760	8.2%	☆☆☆☆☆
2021	32.3	525 of 802	34.5%	★★☆☆☆
2019	26.5	281 of 387	27.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	34.7	343 of 543	36.8%	★★☆☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2023	21.9	593 of 717	17.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	42.0	259 of 503	48.5%	★★☆☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2023	17.5	703 of 810	13.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	35.5	468 of 818	42.8%	★★☆☆☆
2019	22.2	327 of 435	24.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	28.8	410 of 617	33.5%	★★☆☆☆

Multi-racial

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2021	42.5	347 of 650	46.6%	★★☆☆☆

Native American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2021	27.9	361 of 390	7.4%	☆☆☆☆☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2021	42.8	382 of 789	51.6%	★★★☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2023	32.0	457 of 675	32.3%	★★☆☆☆
2021	19.2	686 of 780	12.1%	★☆☆☆☆

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)

Elementary school

Native American (2021)91st percentile+67 vs school

Foster Care (2021)78th percentile+55 vs school

African American (2023)56th percentile+45 vs school

Multi-racial (2021)41st percentile+18 vs school

Special Education (2021)34th percentile+10 vs school

Hispanic (2025)14th percentile~ school

Male (2023)11th percentile~ school

Low Socio Economic Status (2025)11th percentile~ school

Female (2023)9th percentile~ school

White (2023)6th percentile-5 vs school

English Language Learner (2023)5th percentile-6 vs school

Asian (2023)3rd percentile-8 vs school

Middle school

English Language Learner (2021)78th percentile+49 vs school

Special Education (2021)52nd percentile+22 vs school

African American (2023)48th percentile+35 vs school

Multi-racial (2021)47th percentile+17 vs school

White (2023)32nd percentile+20 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2023)17th percentile+5 vs school

Male (2023)13th percentile~ school

Asian (2023)13th percentile~ school

Female (2023)12th percentile~ school

Hispanic (2023)8th percentile-4 vs school

Native American (2021)7th percentile-22 vs school

By subject vs Arizona (2024-2025) ?

English Language Arts25%-16 vs state

Mathematics24%-13 vs state

Science19%-11 vs state

5.0

1 rating · 1 written review

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What people are saying

by a parent
Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Desert Spirit is great! My child (6th grade) loves her teachers, the teachers really give their students attention and feedback. I really recommend to all the parents to enroll your child next year and I grantee your child will love it and you'll love the education he or she is receiving!!! Close Quote

Schools Near Desert Spirit

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 Spirit	Public	PK, KG-8	7355 W Orangewood Ave	Glendale	85303	Maricopa County	Glendale Elementary District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(623) 237-4016	682	36	19.2		43 (6.3%)	60 (8.8%)	523 (76.7%)	25 (3.7%)	10 (1.5%)	1 (0.1%)	20 (2.9%)	14.5	794^th of 909 public elementary schools	12.7%					(n/a)		25.0	22.0			28.0	27.0	27.0				17.0		19.0	$10,410	$1,721	$441	$3,883	$6,582	$1,667	$8,248
Sunset Vista	Public	PK, KG-8	7775 W Orangewood Ave	Glendale	85303	Maricopa County	Glendale Elementary District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(623) 237-5701	676	37	18.2		77 (11.4%)	70 (10.4%)	469 (69.4%)	32 (4.7%)	7 (1.0%)	3 (0.4%)	18 (2.7%)	16.1	765^th of 909 public elementary schools	15.8%		8.8	884^th of 912 public elementary schools	3.1%	119	27.0	29.0	16.0	22.0	23.0	37.0	40.0	26.0	16.0	12.0	18.0	32.0		20.0	$13,266	$2,618	$495	$5,730	$8,305	$1,848	$10,153
Desert Garden Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-6	7020 W Ocotillo Rd	Glendale	85303	Maricopa County	Glendale Elementary District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(623) 237-4014	205	11	18.6		14 (6.8%)	17 (8.3%)	156 (76.1%)	9 (4.4%)	3 (1.5%)	0 (0.0%)	6 (2.9%)								(n/a)															$11,538	$1,841	$366	$4,048	$7,563	$1,768	$9,331
Challenger Middle School	Public	K-8	6905 W Maryland Ave	Glendale	85303	Maricopa County	Glendale Elementary District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(623) 237-4011	839	41	20.7		76 (9.1%)	117 (13.9%)	554 (66.0%)	51 (6.1%)	17 (2.0%)	7 (0.8%)	17 (2.0%)	23.6	646^th of 909 public elementary schools	28.9%		19.8	700^th of 912 public elementary schools	23.2%	54	18.0	41.0	21.0	20.0	25.0	38.0	40.0	41.0	28.0	21.0	13.0	26.0		14.0	$9,687	$1,832	$492	$4,157	$5,832	$1,530	$7,362
Discovery School	Public	K-8	7910 W Maryland Ave	Glendale	85303	Maricopa County	Glendale Elementary District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(623) 237-4013	601	30	20.0		36 (6.0%)	32 (5.3%)	480 (79.9%)	28 (4.7%)	9 (1.5%)	2 (0.3%)	14 (2.3%)	38.7	477^th of 909 public elementary schools	47.5%		33.1	542^nd of 912 public elementary schools	40.6%	65	24.0	50.0	27.0	51.0	44.0	54.0	30.0	41.0	39.0	52.0	21.0	62.0	20.0	35.0	$9,660	$1,714	$453	$3,880	$5,883	$1,610	$7,493
Harold W Smith School	Public	K-8	6534 N 63rd Ave	Glendale	85301	Maricopa County	Glendale Elementary District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(623) 237-4003	719	33	21.7		31 (4.3%)	56 (7.8%)	597 (83.0%)	19 (2.6%)	8 (1.1%)	0 (0.0%)	8 (1.1%)	14.3	798^th of 909 public elementary schools	12.2%		14.9	784^th of 912 public elementary schools	14.0%	14		20.0	20.0	19.0	23.0	16.0	27.0	30.0	29.0				19.0		$9,442	$1,587	$521	$3,695	$5,714	$1,620	$7,334
Desert Mirage Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-8	8605 W Maryland Ave	Glendale	85305	Maricopa County	Pendergast Elementary District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(623) 772-2550	675	37	18.2		68 (10.1%)	38 (5.6%)	516 (76.4%)	17 (2.5%)	17 (2.5%)	0 (0.0%)	19 (2.8%)	29.5	565^th of 909 public elementary schools	37.8%		21.2	682^nd of 912 public elementary schools	25.2%	117	44.0	33.0	34.0	35.0	26.0	46.0	39.0		25.0	19.0		24.0	27.0	29.0	$5,933	$435	$1,094	$1,964	$5,257		$4,404
Cotton Boll School	Public	PK, KG-8	8540 W Butler Dr	Peoria	85345	Maricopa County	Peoria Unified School District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(623) 412-4700	756	37	20.7		194 (25.7%)	63 (8.3%)	434 (57.4%)	35 (4.6%)	6 (0.8%)	1 (0.1%)	23 (3.0%)	46.9	412^th of 909 public elementary schools	54.7%		44.1	443^rd of 912 public elementary schools	51.4%	31	48.0	39.0	36.0	35.0	36.0	36.0	72.0	45.0	32.0		19.0	22.0	35.0	28.0	$7,634	$272	$536	$1,080	$6,118	$708	$6,826
Glendale Elementary Online (G.E.O.) Learning	Public, Virtual	K-8	7301 N 58th Ave	Glendale	85301	Maricopa County	Glendale Elementary District	No	(n/a)	Yes	Yes	(623) 237-6300	25	1	25.0		2 (8.0%)	2 (8.0%)	19 (76.0%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (8.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)								(n/a)															$6,723	$1,665	$360	$3,690	$3,569	$1,128	$4,698
Glendale Landmark School	Public	PK, KG-8	5730 W Myrtle Ave	Glendale	85301	Maricopa County	Glendale Elementary District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(623) 237-4001	651	32	20.3		60 (9.2%)	99 (15.2%)	458 (70.4%)	10 (1.5%)	9 (1.4%)	1 (0.2%)	14 (2.2%)								(n/a)					18.0		24.0		24.0						$9,394	$1,371	$506	$3,248	$5,915	$1,602	$7,517

Frequently Asked Questions about Desert Spirit

How many students attend Desert Spirit?

In the 2024-25 school year, 682 students attended Desert Spirit.

What schools do graduates of Desert Spirit attend?

Students who attend Desert Spirit usually go on to attend:

High : Glendale High School

What is the racial makeup of Desert Spirit?

Students at Desert Spirit are 77% Hispanic, 9% African American, 6% White, 4% Asian, 3% Two or more races, 1% American Indian.

What district is Desert Spirit in?

Glendale Elementary District

Is Desert Spirit a good school?

Desert Spirit ranks in the bottom 12.7% of Arizona elementary schools.

Rate Desert Spirit!

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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.