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Desert Mountain Elementary

Q: Is Desert Mountain Elementary a good school?

Desert Mountain Elementary ranks 172 nd of 909 Arizona elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

Public Grades PK, KG-6

172^nd

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 909 Arizona Elementary Schools

Better than 81% of Arizona elementary schools

Summary

Desert Mountain Elementary is a public elementary school located in Queen Creek, Arizona, serving grades PK-6 with a total enrollment of 740 students. The school is part of the Queen Creek Unified District, which is ranked 96 out of 289 districts in Arizona and has a 3-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Desert Mountain Elementary has consistently performed well, ranking in the top 20% of Arizona elementary schools over the past several years. In the 2024-2025 school year, the school ranked 172 out of 909 Arizona elementary schools and received a 4-star rating from SchoolDigger. The school's academic performance consistently outperforms the state and district averages in English Language Arts and Mathematics proficiency across all grade levels. For example, in the 2024-2025 school year, the school's 4th-grade English Language Arts proficiency rate was 69%, compared to the district's 65% and the state's 46%, and its 4th-grade Mathematics proficiency rate was 73%, significantly higher than the district's 62% and the state's 40%.

While Desert Mountain Elementary has shown strong performance in supporting its Special Education students, its English Language Learner (ELL) students have not performed as well, ranking in the bottom quarter of Arizona elementary schools in that subgroup. This indicates that the school may need to re-evaluate its ELL support strategies and implement more targeted interventions to better serve this student population. Overall, Desert Mountain Elementary is a high-performing school that has consistently demonstrated strong academic achievement, particularly in its core subject areas and among various student subgroups.

682

Students ?

17.2

Student/teacher ratio ?

$5,912

Per pupil spending ?

16.9%

Free/discounted lunch ?

22301 S Hawes Rd
Queen Creek, AZ 85142-8987

(480) 987-5912

District: Queen Creek Unified District

Students who attend Desert Mountain Elementary usually attend:

Middle:	Newell Barney College Preparatory School
High:	Queen Creek High School

Racial breakdown:

White:

63.6%

Hispanic:

23.6%

Two or more races:

6.9%

See top rated Arizona elementary schools

Compare Desert Mountain Elementary to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▬ Ranking trend: Holding steady — 80th percentile in 2015 → 81st in 2025

Strengths

✓Test scores above the Arizona average (58% vs 38% meeting standards)

✓Ranks in the top 19% of Arizona elementary schools

Worth a look

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

Students meeting standards (2024-2025) ?

This school58%

District avg56%

Arizona avg38%

172^nd of 909

Arizona public elementary schools ?

Top 19%▲ up 1 pts since 2015

See the entire ranking list of Arizona Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

3^rd of 9Elementary Schools in the Queen Creek Unified District

96^th of 289Queen 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	78.6	172 of 909	81.1%	★★★★☆
2024	78.8	175 of 912	80.8%	★★★★☆
2023	84.4	187 of 1245	85.0%	★★★★☆
2022	74.4	208 of 1000	79.2%	★★★★☆
2021	84.5	187 of 1226	84.7%	★★★★☆
2019	85.5	129 of 1039	87.6%	★★★★☆
2018	85.2	153 of 1109	86.2%	★★★★☆
2017	85.0	166 of 1106	85.0%	★★★★☆
2016	87.0	129 of 1079	88.0%	★★★★☆
2015	77.7	195 of 955	79.6%	★★★★☆
2014	91.4	48 of 1079	95.6%	★★★★★
2013	89.0	55 of 1158	95.3%	★★★★★
2012	88.2	56 of 1141	95.1%	★★★★★
2011	88.4	81 of 1075	92.5%	★★★★★
2010	86.9	105 of 1090	90.4%	★★★★★
2009	89.5	48 of 1062	95.5%	★★★★★

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2023	88.3	24 of 607	96.0%	★★★★★
2022	46.4	203 of 289	29.8%	★★☆☆☆
2021	34.1	615 of 895	31.3%	★★☆☆☆

Asian

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2021	84.4	26 of 620	95.8%	★★★★★

English Language Learner

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2023	88.1	32 of 451	92.9%	★★★★★
2021	39.2	754 of 975	22.7%	★☆☆☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2025	58.8	211 of 589	64.2%	★★★☆☆
2024	63.6	189 of 602	68.6%	★★★☆☆
2023	83.6	173 of 1219	85.8%	★★★★☆
2022	67.6	226 of 824	72.6%	★★★★☆
2021	84.6	168 of 1219	86.2%	★★★★☆
2019	84.7	95 of 862	89.0%	★★★★☆
2018	84.0	152 of 1023	85.1%	★★★★☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2025	80.4	79 of 496	84.1%	★★★★☆
2024	65.3	147 of 486	69.8%	★★★★☆
2023	74.9	217 of 1170	81.5%	★★★★☆
2022	64.9	246 of 716	65.6%	★★★☆☆
2021	80.9	136 of 1198	88.6%	★★★★☆
2019	89.5	50 of 709	92.9%	★★★★★
2018	79.6	143 of 911	84.3%	★★★★☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2025	72.4	115 of 549	79.1%	★★★★☆
2024	80.6	70 of 556	87.4%	★★★★☆
2023	68.7	251 of 1116	77.5%	★★★★☆
2018	69.4	193 of 820	76.5%	★★★★☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2025	70.9	145 of 626	76.8%	★★★★☆
2024	68.5	165 of 628	73.7%	★★★★☆
2023	81.5	199 of 1216	83.6%	★★★★☆
2022	68.2	221 of 830	73.4%	★★★★☆
2021	82.4	192 of 1220	84.3%	★★★★☆
2019	74.4	197 of 850	76.8%	★★★★☆
2018	82.9	166 of 1032	83.9%	★★★★☆

Multi-racial

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2023	68.0	117 of 617	81.0%	★★★★☆
2022	62.5	136 of 444	69.4%	★★★☆☆
2021	57.3	351 of 1027	65.8%	★★★☆☆

Native American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2021	63.8	95 of 654	85.5%	★★★★☆

Pacific Islander

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2021	58.8	38 of 171	77.8%	★★★★☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2023	46.8	366 of 820	55.4%	★★★☆☆
2021	66.3	199 of 1201	83.4%	★★★★☆
2018	92.7	17 of 417	95.9%	★★★★★

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arizona percentile	Rating
2025	55.4	189 of 465	59.4%	★★★☆☆
2024	59.9	175 of 486	64.0%	★★★☆☆
2023	74.5	206 of 1024	79.9%	★★★★☆
2022	67.3	206 of 800	74.3%	★★★★☆
2021	78.2	195 of 1161	83.2%	★★★★☆
2019	68.7	154 of 595	74.1%	★★★★☆
2018	74.2	177 of 720	75.4%	★★★★☆

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)

African American (2023)96th percentile+11 vs school

Asian (2021)96th percentile+11 vs school

English Language Learner (2023)93rd percentile+8 vs school

Native American (2021)85th percentile~ school

Hispanic (2025)84th percentile+3 vs school

Multi-racial (2023)81st percentile-4 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2025)79th percentile~ school

Pacific Islander (2021)78th percentile-7 vs school

Male (2025)77th percentile-4 vs school

Female (2025)64th percentile-17 vs school

White (2025)59th percentile-22 vs school

Special Education (2023)55th percentile-30 vs school

By subject vs Arizona (2024-2025) ?

Mathematics60%+24 vs state

English Language Arts58%+18 vs state

Science51%+17 vs state

5.0

1 rating · 1 written review

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What people are saying

by a parent
Friday, May 6, 2016

This is an amazing school!!!!The Communication is 2nd to none and the teachers and staff are wonderful!!! I can not say enough good things about this school!! Close Quote

Schools Near Desert Mountain Elementary

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Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

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 Mathematics 3rd Grade	AASA Mathematics 4th Grade	AASA Mathematics 5th Grade	AASA Mathematics 6th Grade	AzSCI Science 5th 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 Mountain Elementary	Public	PK, KG-6	22301 S Hawes Rd	Queen Creek	85142	Maricopa County	Queen Creek Unified District	No	(n/a)	No	No	(480) 987-5912	682	40	17.2		434 (63.6%)	12 (1.8%)	161 (23.6%)	20 (2.9%)	7 (1.0%)	1 (0.1%)	47 (6.9%)	78.6	172^nd of 909 public elementary schools	81.1%		78.8	175^th of 912 public elementary schools	80.8%	3	50.0	69.0	55.0	59.0	60.0	73.0	63.0	46.0	51.0	$5,912	$338		$675	$4,906	$669	$5,574
Cambridge Academy East	Public, Charter	K-8	20365 East Ocotillo Road	Queen Creek	85142	Maricopa County	Cambridge Academy East Inc	Yes	(n/a)	No	No	(480) 987-3577	0				0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()								(n/a)										$8,360	$570	$407	$1,548	$5,573	$1,809	$7,383
Queen Creek Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-6	23636 S 204th St	Queen Creek	85142	Maricopa County	Queen Creek Unified District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(480) 987-5920	711	42	16.7		427 (60.1%)	19 (2.7%)	212 (29.8%)	7 (1.0%)	9 (1.3%)	2 (0.3%)	35 (4.9%)	76.7	191^st of 909 public elementary schools	79.0%		77.1	187^th of 912 public elementary schools	79.5%	4	47.0	72.0	58.0	57.0	64.0	55.0	67.0	49.0	47.0	$7,890	$388	$29	$806	$6,777	$695	$7,472
Jack Barnes Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-6	20750 S 214th St	Queen Creek	85142	Maricopa County	Queen Creek Unified District	No	(n/a)	No	No	(480) 987-7400	621	37	17.0		360 (58.0%)	24 (3.9%)	170 (27.4%)	23 (3.7%)	6 (1.0%)	5 (0.8%)	33 (5.3%)	50.1	384^th of 909 public elementary schools	57.8%		52.3	388^th of 912 public elementary schools	57.5%	4	47.0	54.0	40.0	42.0	54.0	40.0	34.0	44.0	32.0	$7,101	$242		$485	$6,219	$639	$6,858
Benjamin Franklin Charter School - Power	Public, Charter	K-6	22951 S. Power Rd.	Gilbert	85142	Maricopa County	Benjamin Franklin Charter School - Queen Creek	Yes	(n/a)	No	No	(480) 677-8400	565	31	18.2		385 (68.1%)	11 (1.9%)	113 (20.0%)	13 (2.3%)	3 (0.5%)	3 (0.5%)	37 (6.5%)	61.2	311^th of 909 public elementary schools	65.8%		55	366^th of 912 public elementary schools	59.9%	55	38.0	51.0	54.0	62.0	50.0	48.0	50.0	46.0	39.0	$6,011	$373	$180	$927	$4,376	$1,082	$5,458
Dr. Gary and Annette Auxier Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-6	22700 S Power Rd	Queen Creek	85142	Maricopa County	Chandler Unified District #80	No	(n/a)	No	No	(480) 424-8400	534	37	14.6		325 (60.9%)	11 (2.1%)	143 (26.8%)	15 (2.8%)	2 (0.4%)	1 (0.2%)	37 (6.9%)	63.8	296^th of 909 public elementary schools	67.4%		65	284^th of 912 public elementary schools	68.9%	12	51.0	59.0	40.0	69.0	53.0	42.0	47.0	49.0	42.0	$8,326	$763	$82	$1,609	$7,234	$247	$7,481
Cortina Elementary	Public	PK, KG-8	19680 S 188th St	Queen Creek	85142	Maricopa County	Higley Unified School District	No	(n/a)	No	No	(480) 279-7800	629	41	15.5		441 (70.1%)	17 (2.7%)	120 (19.1%)	15 (2.4%)	4 (0.6%)	1 (0.2%)	31 (4.9%)	85.2	116^th of 909 public elementary schools	87.2%		84.1	132^nd of 912 public elementary schools	85.5%	16	66.0	69.0	59.0	71.0	69.0	66.0	56.0	63.0	50.0	$6,754	$349	$100	$798	$5,950	$354	$6,305
Frances Brandon-Pickett Elementary	Public	PK, KG-6	22706 East Village Loop Rd	Queen Creek	85142	Maricopa County	Queen Creek Unified District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(480) 987-7420	642	36	17.8		381 (59.3%)	21 (3.3%)	187 (29.1%)	2 (0.3%)	6 (0.9%)	3 (0.5%)	42 (6.5%)	73.7	217^th of 909 public elementary schools	76.1%		71.8	233^rd of 912 public elementary schools	74.5%	16	52.0	70.0	45.0	63.0	63.0	68.0	43.0	53.0	45.0	$7,003	$355	$10	$720	$5,782	$855	$6,638
American Leadership Academy Signal Butte K-6	Public, Charter	K-6	Apn 304-64-878	Queen Creek	85142	Maricopa County	American Leadership Academy Inc.	Yes	(n/a)	No	Yes	(480) 420-2101	457	41	11.2		272 (59.5%)	11 (2.4%)	148 (32.4%)	2 (0.4%)	1 (0.2%)	1 (0.2%)	22 (4.8%)	44.3	444^th of 909 public elementary schools	51.2%		50.1	409^th of 912 public elementary schools	55.2%	35	42.0	55.0	35.0	44.0	53.0	29.0	33.0	40.0	29.0	$10,587	$677	$1,955	$3,308	$6,093	$1,862	$7,955
Benjamin Franklin Charter School - Crismon	Public, Charter	K-6	22120 E Queen Creek Rd	Queen Creek	85142	Maricopa County	Benjamin Franklin Charter School - Queen Creek	Yes	(n/a)	No	No	(480) 987-0722	834	37	22.5		591 (70.9%)	9 (1.1%)	149 (17.9%)	14 (1.7%)	8 (1.0%)	2 (0.2%)	61 (7.3%)	60.9	313^th of 909 public elementary schools	65.6%		54.8	369^th of 912 public elementary schools	59.5%	56	46.0	53.0	54.0	56.0	54.0	49.0	46.0	32.0	44.0	$5,816	$326	$166	$818	$4,401	$923	$5,324

Frequently Asked Questions about Desert Mountain Elementary

What is the racial makeup of Desert Mountain Elementary?

Students at Desert Mountain Elementary are 64% White, 24% Hispanic, 7% Two or more races, 3% Asian, 2% African American, 1% American Indian.

What schools do graduates of Desert Mountain Elementary attend?

Students who attend Desert Mountain Elementary usually go on to attend:

Middle : Newell Barney College Preparatory School
High : Queen Creek High School

Is Desert Mountain Elementary a good school?

Desert Mountain Elementary ranks 172^nd of 909 Arizona elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

What district is Desert Mountain Elementary in?

Queen Creek Unified District

How many students attend Desert Mountain Elementary?

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

Rate Desert Mountain Elementary!

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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.