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Deer Valley Middle School

Public Grades 7-8

422^nd

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 552 Arizona Middle Schools

Better than 24% of Arizona middle schools

Summary

Deer Valley Middle School is a public middle school in Phoenix, Arizona, serving 496 students in grades 7-8. The school is part of the Deer Valley Unified District, which is ranked 84 out of 289 districts in the state and has a 4-star rating.

Despite being part of a generally higher-performing district, Deer Valley Middle School consistently underperforms academically compared to the district and the state of Arizona. In the 2024-2025 school year, only 26% of 8th graders were proficient or better in Science, compared to 51% for the district and 30% for the state. The school also struggles with relatively high dropout rates, ranging from 3.3% in 2019-2020 to 6.1% in 2022-2023, which are significantly higher than the state average. When compared to other middle schools in the Deer Valley Unified District, such as Hillcrest Middle School, which ranked in the top 10% of Arizona middle schools in 2022-2023, Deer Valley Middle School ranked in the bottom 25%.

Despite the school's challenges, Deer Valley Middle School's per-student spending has fluctuated over the years, ranging from $5,650 in 2021-2022 to $7,701 in 2018-2019, suggesting that funding and resource allocation may not be the primary driver of the school's underperformance. The school's location within the generally higher-performing Deer Valley Unified District suggests that there may be opportunities to learn from and collaborate with other successful schools in the district to improve student outcomes.

448

Students ?

16.5

Student/teacher ratio ?

$5,650

Per pupil spending ?

64.8%

Free/discounted lunch ?

21100 N 27th Ave
Phoenix, AZ 85027-2401

(623) 445-3300

District: Deer Valley Unified District

Students who attend Deer Valley Middle School usually attend:

High:

Barry Goldwater High School

Feeder schools for Deer Valley Middle School:

Elementary:	Constitution Elementary School
	Esperanza Elementary School
	Park Meadows Elementary School
	Village Meadows Elementary School

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:

51.3%

White:

31.9%

Two or more races:

6.9%

See top rated Arizona middle schools

Compare Deer Valley Middle School to nearby middle schools!

At a glance

▲ Ranking trend: Rebounding — 16th percentile in 2022 → 24th in 2025

Strengths

✓Ranking is rebounding — up to 24th (2025) from a 16th-percentile low (2022)

Worth a look

!Test scores below the Arizona average (21% vs 33% meeting standards)

!In the lower quartile statewide (24th percentile)

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

Students meeting standards (2024-2025) ?

This school21%

District avg50%

Arizona avg33%

422^nd of 552

Arizona public middle schools ?

Bottom 24%▼ down 12 pts since 2015

From bottom 35% (2015) to bottom 24% (2025)

See the entire ranking list of Arizona Middle Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

3^rd of 3Middle Schools in the Deer Valley Unified District

84^th of 289Deer Valley 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	19.7	422 of 552	23.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	20.6	418 of 550	24.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	22.6	647 of 854	24.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	16.3	511 of 605	15.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	39.9	426 of 832	48.8%	★★☆☆☆
2019	22.5	458 of 605	24.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	30.0	475 of 711	33.2%	★★☆☆☆
2017	33.1	429 of 695	38.3%	★★☆☆☆
2016	38.5	374 of 677	44.8%	★★☆☆☆
2015	30.1	338 of 521	35.1%	★★☆☆☆
2014	58.6	271 of 690	60.7%	★★★☆☆
2013	55.7	341 of 787	56.7%	★★★☆☆
2012	46.3	419 of 772	45.7%	★★☆☆☆
2011	52.4	321 of 685	53.1%	★★★☆☆
2010	55.8	281 of 692	59.4%	★★★☆☆
2009	48.7	334 of 663	49.6%	★★☆☆☆

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2023	9.6	394 of 400	1.5%	☆☆☆☆☆
2021	28.7	443 of 573	22.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	22.4	105 of 125	16.0%	★☆☆☆☆

Asian

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2023	28.9	203 of 247	17.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	25.5	342 of 404	15.3%	★☆☆☆☆

English Language Learner

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2023	28.8	89 of 145	38.6%	★★☆☆☆
2021	52.3	85 of 606	86.0%	★★★★☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2025	21.5	298 of 395	24.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	23.2	273 of 386	29.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	23.1	619 of 806	23.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	15.6	439 of 494	11.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	42.1	407 of 820	50.4%	★★★☆☆
2019	20.9	360 of 466	22.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	32.8	396 of 624	36.5%	★★☆☆☆

Foster Care

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2021	31.2	129 of 166	22.3%	★☆☆☆☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2025	21.0	273 of 345	20.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	26.1	229 of 329	30.4%	★★☆☆☆
2023	21.5	622 of 760	18.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	19.1	333 of 392	15.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	43.6	369 of 802	54.0%	★★★☆☆
2019	23.0	308 of 387	20.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	33.2	352 of 543	35.2%	★★☆☆☆

Homeless

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2023	20.0	53 of 64	17.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	70.2	18 of 257	93.0%	★★★★★

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2025	21.7	267 of 344	22.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	28.0	224 of 320	30.0%	★★☆☆☆
2023	22.9	580 of 717	19.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	18.5	323 of 369	12.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	31.0	347 of 503	31.0%	★★☆☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2025	9.9	352 of 379	7.1%	☆☆☆☆☆
2024	10.4	342 of 370	7.6%	☆☆☆☆☆
2023	20.5	658 of 810	18.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	12.1	432 of 476	9.2%	☆☆☆☆☆
2021	39.9	419 of 818	48.8%	★★☆☆☆
2019	15.0	376 of 435	13.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	25.6	439 of 617	28.8%	★☆☆☆☆

Military Connected

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2022	58.3	26 of 68	61.8%	★★★☆☆

Multi-racial

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2023	6.6	382 of 384	0.5%	☆☆☆☆☆
2021	34.7	432 of 650	33.5%	★★☆☆☆

Native American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2023	25.9	110 of 159	30.8%	★★☆☆☆
2021	36.7	239 of 390	38.7%	★★☆☆☆

Pacific Islander

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2021	34.6	66 of 108	38.9%	★★☆☆☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2023	18.4	328 of 363	9.6%	☆☆☆☆☆
2021	43.4	371 of 789	53.0%	★★★☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2025	15.0	240 of 277	13.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	7.7	275 of 288	4.5%	☆☆☆☆☆
2023	16.8	610 of 675	9.6%	☆☆☆☆☆
2022	7.6	429 of 446	3.8%	☆☆☆☆☆
2021	45.0	400 of 780	48.7%	★★☆☆☆
2019	7.3	321 of 337	4.7%	☆☆☆☆☆
2018	16.4	388 of 436	11.0%	★☆☆☆☆

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)

Military Connected (2022)62nd percentile+46 vs school

Pacific Islander (2021)39th percentile-10 vs school

English Language Learner (2023)39th percentile+14 vs school

Native American (2023)31st percentile+7 vs school

Female (2025)25th percentile~ school

Low Socio Economic Status (2025)22nd percentile~ school

Foster Care (2021)22nd percentile-27 vs school

Hispanic (2025)21st percentile-3 vs school

Asian (2023)18th percentile-6 vs school

Homeless (2023)17th percentile-7 vs school

White (2025)13th percentile-10 vs school

Special Education (2023)10th percentile-15 vs school

Male (2025)7th percentile-16 vs school

African American (2023)2nd percentile-23 vs school

Multi-racial (2023)1st percentile-24 vs school

By subject vs Arizona (2024-2025) ?

English Language Arts29%-12 vs state

Science26%-4 vs state

Mathematics12%-16 vs state

3.0

2 ratings · 2 written reviews

5★0

4★1

3★0

2★1

1★0

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What people are saying

by a student
Tuesday, October 9, 2018

This school is not as bad as people as people say, a few bad teachers i had brought this review to 4 stars. The teacher who we will call Mrs. Violence actually threatened to put my head through the board for tossing the eraser into the air Close Quote

by a parent
Monday, September 26, 2011

I have to say I am really disappointed with this school. My son has had several issue with bullying and inapropriate comments from some of the teachers there. Last year I had a teacher make a racist comment in my sons classroom to him. I called the teacher several times never got a return call. When I called the principle he said he would look into the issue but never even called me back even after I left several messages. That says a lot about a school when the principle doesnt even care! I do have to say the assistant principle when I contacted her addressed the issue right away. She seems to care a lot but I stil have been in at least 4 times this year for the bullying issue. These schools dont hold the adults more accountable for what goes on in there classes so the kids see this and continue to do the same thing over and over. Dont get me wrong it starts at home with the Parent but Accountability is very important if these adults do teach this kids this soon I fear this issue is going to get much worse. Close Quote

Schools Near Deer Valley Middle School

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 5th Grade	AASA English Language Arts 6th Grade	AASA English Language Arts 7th Grade	AASA English Language Arts 8th Grade	AASA Mathematics 5th Grade	AASA Mathematics 7th Grade	AASA Mathematics 8th 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
Deer Valley Middle School	Public	7-8	21100 N 27th Ave	Phoenix	85027	Maricopa County	Deer Valley Unified District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(623) 445-3300	448	27	16.5		143 (31.9%)	26 (5.8%)	230 (51.3%)	4 (0.9%)	10 (2.2%)	4 (0.9%)	31 (6.9%)	19.7	422^nd of 552 public middle schools	23.6%		20.6	418^th of 550 public middle schools	24.0%	4			26.0	32.0		10.0	13.0	26.0	$5,650	$520	$19	$1,059	$4,683	$428	$5,111
Desert Sky Middle School	Public	7-8	5130 W Grovers Ave	Glendale	85308	Maricopa County	Deer Valley Unified District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(602) 467-6500	640	28	22.5		333 (52.0%)	28 (4.4%)	234 (36.6%)	9 (1.4%)	4 (0.6%)	1 (0.2%)	31 (4.8%)	32.6	313^th of 552 public middle schools	43.3%		39.3	281^st of 550 public middle schools	48.9%	32			41.0	35.0		26.0	17.0	29.0	$6,113	$515	$127	$1,157	$5,264	$206	$5,471
Mountain Sky Middle School	Public	7-8	16225 N 7th Ave	Phoenix	85023	Maricopa County	Washington Elementary School District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(602) 896-6100	672	32	21.1		235 (35.0%)	58 (8.6%)	320 (47.6%)	10 (1.5%)	17 (2.5%)	2 (0.3%)	30 (4.5%)	36.6	293^rd of 552 public middle schools	46.9%		27.9	353^rd of 550 public middle schools	35.8%	60			42.0	38.0		24.0	26.0	30.0	$6,668	$408	$103	$919	$5,323	$834	$6,157
Desert Foothills Middle School	Public	7-8	3333 W Banff Ln	Phoenix	85053	Maricopa County	Washington Elementary School District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(602) 896-5500	621	41	15.1		205 (33.0%)	52 (8.4%)	312 (50.2%)	16 (2.6%)	9 (1.4%)	1 (0.2%)	26 (4.2%)	26.3	362^nd of 552 public middle schools	34.4%		30.6	336^th of 550 public middle schools	38.9%	26			37.0	29.0		22.0	18.0	25.0	$7,585	$582	$243	$1,406	$5,460	$1,302	$6,761
Mountain Trail Middle School	Public	5-8	2323 E Mountain Gate Pass	Phoenix	85024	Maricopa County	Paradise Valley Unified District	No	(n/a)	No	No	(602) 449-4600	835	39	21.4		461 (55.2%)	14 (1.7%)	250 (29.9%)	58 (6.9%)	6 (0.7%)	5 (0.6%)	41 (4.9%)	77.6	94^th of 552 public middle schools	83.0%		65.8	151^st of 550 public middle schools	72.5%	57			66.0	59.0		50.0	47.0	47.0	$6,163	$525	$176	$1,226	$5,094	$367	$5,462
Hillcrest Middle School	Public	7-8	22833 N 71st Ave	Glendale	85310	Maricopa County	Deer Valley Unified District	No	(n/a)	No	No	(623) 445-3300	732	38	19.5		523 (71.4%)	17 (2.3%)	138 (18.9%)	19 (2.6%)	5 (0.7%)	1 (0.1%)	29 (4.0%)	78.2	92^nd of 552 public middle schools	83.3%		82.6	73^rd of 550 public middle schools	86.7%	19			58.0	59.0		48.0	52.0	53.0	$5,381	$507	$03	$1,017	$4,633	$237	$4,870
Cholla Middle School	Public	5-8	3120 W Cholla St	Phoenix	85029	Maricopa County	Washington Elementary School District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(602) 896-5400	681	38	17.8		146 (21.4%)	76 (11.2%)	385 (56.5%)	23 (3.4%)	21 (3.1%)	0 (0.0%)	30 (4.4%)	20.3	413^th of 552 public middle schools	25.2%		30.5	337^th of 550 public middle schools	38.7%	76			30.0	25.0		22.0	20.0	15.0	$7,511	$638	$159	$1,434	$5,468	$1,246	$6,714
Vista College Preparatory - Metro North Middle	Public, Charter	5-8	2133 W Peoria Ave	Phoenix	85029	Maricopa County	Vista College Preparatory Inc.	Yes	(n/a)	No	No	(602) 612-3327	188	13	14.4		20 (10.6%)	35 (18.6%)	124 (66.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	8 (4.3%)								(n/a)	28.0	26.0			30.0		26.0
Greenway Middle School	Public	5-8	3002 E Nisbet Rd	Phoenix	85032	Maricopa County	Paradise Valley Unified District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(602) 449-2400	646	38	17.0		62 (9.6%)	52 (8.0%)	497 (76.9%)	7 (1.1%)	15 (2.3%)	2 (0.3%)	11 (1.7%)	12.6	507^th of 552 public middle schools	8.2%		11.4	515^th of 550 public middle schools	6.4%	8			21.0	21.0		13.0	15.0	12.0	$8,288	$510	$191	$1,210	$7,055	$533	$7,588
Explorer Middle School	Public	5-8	22401 N 40th St	Phoenix	85050	Maricopa County	Paradise Valley Unified District	No	(n/a)	No	No	(602) 449-4200	607	31	19.5		473 (77.9%)	8 (1.3%)	78 (12.9%)	19 (3.1%)	2 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	27 (4.4%)	81.6	74^th of 552 public middle schools	86.6%		81.9	76^th of 550 public middle schools	86.2%	2			65.0	57.0		60.0	59.0	45.0	$6,002	$187	$138	$512	$5,487	$190	$5,677

Frequently Asked Questions about Deer Valley Middle School

What is the racial makeup of Deer Valley Middle School?

Students at Deer Valley Middle School are 51% Hispanic, 32% White, 7% Two or more races, 6% African American, 2% American Indian.

What high school do graduates of Deer Valley Middle School attend?

Students who attend Deer Valley Middle School usually go on to attend Barry Goldwater High School

Is Deer Valley Middle School a good school?

Deer Valley Middle School ranks in the bottom 23.6% of Arizona middle schools.

What district is Deer Valley Middle School in?

Deer Valley Unified District

How many students attend Deer Valley Middle School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 448 students attended Deer Valley Middle School.

Rate Deer Valley Middle School!

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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.