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Desert Marigold School

Public, Charter, Alternative Grades K-12

Summary

Desert Marigold School is an alternative public charter school located in Phoenix, Arizona, serving 284 students in grades K-12 as part of the Valley of the Sun Waldorf Education Association district.

The school has seen a steady increase in its four-year graduation rate, from 75.7% in 2020-2021 to 78.4% in 2023-2024, which is higher than the state average. However, its dropout rate has also been increasing, from 3.3% in 2019-2020 to 6.1% in 2022-2023, which is higher than the state average. In terms of academic performance, Desert Marigold School generally performs better than the state average in English Language Arts (ELA) assessments, with proficiency rates ranging from 43% to 66% across different grade levels. But in Mathematics, the school's proficiency rates are significantly lower, ranging from 3% to 16%, well below the state average. The school's spending per student has decreased from $11,046 in 2018-2019 to $10,138 in 2019-2020, which is still higher than the state average.

Comparing Desert Marigold School to nearby public charter schools, Arizona Virtual Academy has similar graduation and dropout rates, but significantly lower test scores, especially in Mathematics. Sonoran Science Academy - Phoenix has a higher proficiency rate in 3rd grade Mathematics (46%) compared to Desert Marigold School (16%), while ASU Preparatory Academy Digital has higher test scores in both ELA and Mathematics, particularly in the upper grades. BASIS Ahwatukee consistently outperforms Desert Marigold School and the state average in both ELA and Mathematics assessments, with proficiency rates often exceeding 80%.

286

Students ?

n/a

Student/teacher ratio ?

8.9%

Free/discounted lunch ?

6210 S 28th St
Phoenix, AZ 85042-4715

(602) 243-6909

District: Valley of the Sun Waldorf Education Association d

Racial breakdown:

White:

60.5%

Hispanic:

26.9%

Two or more races:

7.0%

See top rated Arizona public schools

Compare Desert Marigold School to nearby alternative schools!

At a glance

▲ Ranking trend: Improving — 57th percentile in 2019 → 68th in 2024

Strengths

✓Test scores above the Arizona average (52% vs 35% meeting standards)

✓Ranking is trending up — up 11 percentile points since 2019

Worth a look

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

Students meeting standards (2024-2025) ?

This school52%

District avg52%

Arizona avg35%

Not ranked this year

Desert Marigold School did not have enough recent test-score data to be ranked. Check the trend below for past years.

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
2024	64.2	293 of 912	67.9%	★★★☆☆
2023	40.4	668 of 1245	46.3%	★★☆☆☆
2022	59.9	348 of 1000	65.2%	★★★☆☆
2021	57.6	461 of 1226	62.4%	★★★☆☆
2019	53.1	450 of 1039	56.7%	★★★☆☆
2018	39.7	618 of 1109	44.3%	★★☆☆☆
2017	50.8	478 of 1106	56.8%	★★★☆☆
2016	45.9	519 of 1079	51.9%	★★★☆☆
2015	73.4	232 of 955	75.7%	★★★★☆
2014	44.6	606 of 1079	43.8%	★★☆☆☆
2013	56.6	497 of 1158	57.1%	★★★☆☆
2012	41.3	718 of 1141	37.1%	★★☆☆☆
2011	42.2	623 of 1075	42.0%	★★☆☆☆
2010	32.7	774 of 1090	29.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2009	23.3	887 of 1062	16.5%	★☆☆☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2023	39.1	671 of 1219	45.0%	★★☆☆☆
2021	61.9	409 of 1219	66.4%	★★★☆☆
2018	31.5	686 of 1023	32.9%	★★☆☆☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2023	47.3	549 of 1170	53.1%	★★★☆☆
2022	78.0	122 of 716	83.0%	★★★★☆
2021	49.0	522 of 1198	56.4%	★★★☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2023	41.2	643 of 1216	47.1%	★★☆☆☆
2021	49.3	541 of 1220	55.7%	★★★☆☆
2018	41.7	557 of 1032	46.0%	★★☆☆☆

Multi-racial

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2023	31.2	497 of 617	19.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	52.5	200 of 444	55.0%	★★★☆☆
2021	30.1	769 of 1027	25.1%	★☆☆☆☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2023	96.1	10 of 820	98.8%	★★★★★
2022	64.5	63 of 145	56.6%	★★★☆☆
2021	69.1	171 of 1201	85.8%	★★★★☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2023	31.0	745 of 1024	27.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	40.5	499 of 800	37.6%	★★☆☆☆
2021	52.3	530 of 1161	54.3%	★★★☆☆
2019	43.0	366 of 595	38.5%	★★☆☆☆
2018	18.9	622 of 720	13.6%	★☆☆☆☆

Middle school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2023	33.2	514 of 854	39.8%	★★☆☆☆
2021	59.1	267 of 832	67.9%	★★★☆☆
2018	58.7	247 of 711	65.3%	★★★☆☆
2017	62.7	209 of 695	69.9%	★★★★☆
2016	64.8	191 of 677	71.8%	★★★★☆
2015	91.8	35 of 521	93.3%	★★★★★
2014	55.6	290 of 690	58.0%	★★★☆☆
2013	64.9	248 of 787	68.5%	★★★☆☆
2012	48.0	404 of 772	47.7%	★★☆☆☆
2011	58.2	263 of 685	61.6%	★★★☆☆
2010	44.6	386 of 692	44.2%	★★☆☆☆
2009	56.7	267 of 663	59.7%	★★★☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2023	32.3	501 of 806	37.8%	★★☆☆☆
2022	24.4	374 of 494	24.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	52.5	313 of 820	61.8%	★★★☆☆
2018	47.8	279 of 624	55.3%	★★★☆☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2023	34.7	464 of 760	38.9%	★★☆☆☆
2021	40.0	424 of 802	47.1%	★★☆☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2023	35.7	457 of 810	43.6%	★★☆☆☆
2021	58.6	265 of 818	67.6%	★★★☆☆
2018	59.0	200 of 617	67.6%	★★★☆☆

Multi-racial

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2023	28.9	300 of 384	21.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	38.1	390 of 650	40.0%	★★☆☆☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2023	81.1	37 of 363	89.8%	★★★★★
2022	68.7	14 of 36	61.1%	★★★☆☆
2021	52.3	214 of 789	72.9%	★★★★☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2023	18.6	598 of 675	11.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	54.1	315 of 780	59.6%	★★★☆☆
2018	46.0	228 of 436	47.7%	★★☆☆☆

High school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2023	24.1	345 of 469	26.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	83.9	51 of 464	89.0%	★★★★☆
2021	88.8	51 of 509	90.0%	★★★★★
2018	52.2	137 of 420	67.4%	★★★☆☆
2017	66.4	87 of 416	79.1%	★★★★☆
2016	76.2	58 of 406	85.7%	★★★★☆
2013	64.4	188 of 491	61.7%	★★★☆☆
2012	73.4	122 of 471	74.1%	★★★★☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2023	46.0	186 of 406	54.2%	★★★☆☆
2022	98.3	16 of 456	96.5%	★★★★★
2021	99.7	10 of 492	98.0%	★★★★★

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2022	30.6	255 of 455	44.0%	★★☆☆☆
2021	45.3	221 of 492	55.1%	★★★☆☆
2018	52.8	129 of 370	65.1%	★★★☆☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2022	32.4	192 of 380	49.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	31.9	212 of 422	49.8%	★★☆☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2023	23.8	289 of 371	22.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	71.4	80 of 409	80.4%	★★★★☆
2021	78.4	76 of 448	83.0%	★★★★☆
2018	38.5	159 of 291	45.4%	★★☆☆☆

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

Special Education (2023)99th percentile+52 vs school

Hispanic (2023)53rd percentile+7 vs school

Male (2023)47th percentile~ school

Female (2023)45th percentile~ school

White (2023)27th percentile-19 vs school

Multi-racial (2023)19th percentile-27 vs school

Middle school

Special Education (2023)90th percentile+50 vs school

Male (2023)44th percentile+4 vs school

Hispanic (2023)39th percentile~ school

Female (2023)38th percentile~ school

Multi-racial (2023)22nd percentile-18 vs school

White (2023)11th percentile-28 vs school

High school

Female (2023)54th percentile+28 vs school

Special Education (2022)49th percentile-40 vs school

Male (2022)44th percentile-45 vs school

White (2023)22nd percentile-4 vs school

By subject vs Arizona (2024-2025) ?

Science54%+24 vs state

English Language Arts50%+10 vs state

1.0

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What people are saying

by a parent
Friday, June 4, 2010

My Children have been attending DMS "desert marigold school" for 3 years, in that time my children have been in grades: kindergarten, first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, eighth, and ninth

PROS
more accepting of developmentally delayed children
emotionally supportive
lovely campus (this is the best and only thing significantly positive thing about DMS)

CONS
over 90% of the student body is intellectually or emotionally disabled (the healthy students leave)
no advanced classes (the good teachers usually leave within a year)
no average classes (there is literally a basket weaving class for high school)
poor teaching
special ed school
some verbal bullies

Here are two samples of their standardized test scores:
In 2009 the third grade had a 23 percent passing rate, sixth grade had a 36 percent passing rate; 60% to 80% of all students in these grades are failing to pass the bare minimum standards set by the state. These students are failing miserably.

Now compare these numbers with a school that has good teachers, I have found that teachers are the most critical factor, a great teacher with a bad administration still teaches well.

For 2009 every grade at Basis had a 97% or higher passing rate, you can't even begin to compare the top scores of desert marigold vs Basis, its like comparing monkeys with humans.

Some other considerations:
While visiting school in 2010 I found drug paraphernalia (a joint and papers) in the bathroom
My average ability child was the top student in his class
Teachers are supposed to teach the same students from first through eighth grade but it rarely happens

Do not do what I did and waste your children’s precious formative years with a school like DMS, try schools that have much higher quality teachers and students, here is a list of the top schools:
http://phoenix.about.com/library/blschoolscharter.htm

For example:
Villa Montessori - Phoenix Campus
Great Hearts
Tempe Prepatory Academy

If you have a child that is severely disabled: autism, chemical abuse, aspergers, and functioning at 2 or more grades below level, then DMS may be a great fit, but if you have an average or above average child, you will be harming them by sending them to desert marigold school. Close Quote

Schools Near Desert Marigold School

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

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking ()				Ranking ()				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 ()	Statewide Rank ()	State Percentile ()	SchoolDigger Rating ()	Average Standard Score ()	Statewide Rank ()	State Percentile ()	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 English Language Arts 11th 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	AASA Mathematics 11th Grade	AzSCI Science 5th Grade	AzSCI Science 8th Grade	AzSCI Science 11th 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 Marigold School	Public, Charter, Alternative	K-12	6210 S 28th St	Phoenix	85042	Maricopa County	Valley of the Sun Waldorf Education Association d	Yes	(n/a)	No	No	(602) 243-6909	286				173 (60.5%)	8 (2.8%)	77 (26.9%)	6 (2.1%)	2 (0.7%)	0 (0.0%)	20 (7.0%)								(n/a)						50.0										54.0			$00			$00
The Paideia Academy of South Phoenix	Public, Charter, Alternative	K-12	7777 S 15th Ter	Phoenix	85042	Maricopa County	The Paideia Academies Inc	Yes	(n/a)	No	Yes	(602) 343-3040	579	39	14.8		53 (9.2%)	96 (16.6%)	406 (70.1%)	6 (1.0%)	4 (0.7%)	4 (0.7%)	10 (1.7%)								(n/a)	25.0	35.0	18.0	30.0				30.0	24.0						14.0				$00			$00
ASU Preparatory Academy - South Phoenix Intermediate	Public, Charter, Alternative	PK, KG-12	5610 S. Central Avenue	Phoenix	85040	Maricopa County	ASU Preparatory Academy	Yes	(n/a)	No	Yes	(602) 551-6594	99	9	11.0		4 (4.0%)	7 (7.1%)	81 (81.8%)	1 (1.0%)	2 (2.0%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (4.0%)								(n/a)																			$00			$00
Kelly	Public, Charter, Alternative	K-12	1648 S 16th St	Phoenix	85034	Maricopa County	Edkey Inc. - Sequoia School for the Deaf and Hard	Yes	(n/a)	No	No	(602) 712-0500	21	5	4.2		5 (23.8%)	5 (23.8%)	10 (47.6%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (4.8%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)								(n/a)																		$54,496	$5,871	$1,155	$12,896	$21,040	$26,430	$47,470
BASIS Ahwatukee	Public, Charter, Alternative	4-12	10210 S 50th Pl	Phoenix	85044	Maricopa County	BASIS Charter Schools Inc.	Yes	(n/a)	No	No	(480) 659-2294	661	53	12.4		99 (15.0%)	73 (11.0%)	48 (7.3%)	388 (58.7%)	5 (0.8%)	1 (0.2%)	47 (7.1%)								(n/a)		84.0	69.0	85.0	82.0	87.0			85.0	62.0	78.0	87.0	90.0		62.0	80.0	85.0	$8,768	$254	$30	$537	$6,241	$2,244	$8,485
Nueva Vista School / Arizona State Hospital	Public, Alternative	K-12	2500 E Van Buren St # G1181	Phoenix	85008	Maricopa County	Arizona State Hospital	No	(n/a)	No	No	(602) 244-1331	0				0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()								(n/a)
BASIS Phoenix South	Public, Charter, Alternative	K-12	5700 S 19th Ave	Phoenix	85041	Maricopa County	BASIS Charter Schools Inc.	Yes	(n/a)	No	Yes	(602) 962-7393	523	47	11.1		39 (7.5%)	142 (27.2%)	238 (45.5%)	72 (13.8%)	5 (1.0%)	0 (0.0%)	27 (5.2%)								(n/a)	46.0	38.0	30.0	48.0	69.0	81.0		63.0		32.0	27.0	50.0			20.0	57.0		$12,233	$658	$56	$1,372	$7,547	$3,972	$11,519
Great Hearts Online - Arizona	Public, Virtual, Charter, Alternative	K-12	4801 E Washington St Ste 250	Phoenix	85034	Maricopa County	Archway Classical Academy Trivium West	Yes	(n/a)	Yes	(n/a)	(602) 438-7045	246	33	7.5		99 (40.2%)	15 (6.1%)	85 (34.6%)	18 (7.3%)	3 (1.2%)	0 (0.0%)	26 (10.6%)								(n/a)		68.0	57.0		52.0	40.0			47.0	48.0					52.0
Sonoran Science Academy - Phoenix	Public, Charter, Alternative	K-12	4837 E McDowell Rd	Phoenix	85008	Maricopa County	Daisy Education Corporation dba Sonoran Science Ac	Yes	(n/a)	No	No	(602) 244-9855	439	32	13.5		35 (8.0%)	238 (54.2%)	95 (21.6%)	48 (10.9%)	7 (1.6%)	0 (0.0%)	16 (3.6%)								(n/a)					30.0	32.0	46.0												$00			$00
ASU Preparatory Academy Digital	Public, Virtual, Charter, Alternative	K-12	1130 E University Dr STE 230	Tempe	85281	Maricopa County	ASU Preparatory Academy Digital	Yes	(n/a)	Yes	No	(844) 692-3372	3,850	230	16.7		1,714 (44.5%)	269 (7.0%)	1,282 (33.3%)	140 (3.6%)	178 (4.6%)	18 (0.5%)	249 (6.5%)								(n/a)	34.0	54.0	31.0	55.0	59.0	50.0	67.0	25.0	32.0	21.0	23.0	30.0	18.0	43.0	28.0	35.0	42.0		$00			$00

Frequently Asked Questions about Desert Marigold School

What is the racial makeup of Desert Marigold School?

Students at Desert Marigold School are 60% White, 27% Hispanic, 7% Two or more races, 3% African American, 2% Asian.

What district is Desert Marigold School in?

Valley of the Sun Waldorf Education Association d

How many students attend Desert Marigold School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 286 students attended Desert Marigold 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.