Desert Shadows Middle School

Summary:

Desert Shadows Middle School is a public middle school in Nogales, Arizona, serving 760 students in grades 6-8. The school is part of the Nogales Unified District, which is ranked 196 out of 288 districts in the state.

Desert Shadows Middle School consistently outperforms the Nogales Unified District and the state of Arizona in academic proficiency across various subjects and grade levels. In the 2023-2024 school year, 43% of 6th-grade students were proficient or better in English Language Arts, compared to 33% for the district and 43% for the state. In mathematics, 35% of 6th-grade students were proficient or better, compared to 24% for the district and 30% for the state. The school's performance is particularly strong for Hispanic students, who ranked 121 out of 322 Arizona middle schools in English Language Arts and 208 out of 760 in mathematics for the 2023-2024 school year.

When compared to nearby schools, Desert Shadows Middle School significantly outperforms its counterparts. For example, in the 2023-2024 school year, Wade Carpenter Middle School, also part of the Nogales Unified District, had only 9% of 6th-grade students proficient or better in mathematics, compared to 35% at Desert Shadows Middle School. Similarly, Coatimundi Middle School, part of the Santa Cruz Valley Unified District, lags behind Desert Shadows Middle School in academic performance.


Detail:

Public 6-8

 340 Blvd. del Rey David
       Nogales, AZ  85621


(520) 377-2646

District: Nogales Unified District

SchoolDigger Rank:
262nd of 533 Arizona Middle Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $6,426 Help


Students who attend Desert Shadows Middle School usually attend:

High:    Nogales High School

Feeder schools for Desert Shadows Middle School:

Elementary:    Challenger Elementary School
    Francisco Vasquez De Coronado Elementary School
    Robert Bracker Elementary

Student/teacher ratio:  21.7 Help
Number of students:  760

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:
98.8%
Asian:
0.8%
White:
0.3%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  74.9% Help


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Performance Trends
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Compare Details Desert Shadows Middle School ranks better than 50.8% of middle schools in Arizona. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 41.45. (See more...)
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The high school dropout rate measures the percentage of students who do not complete their high school education.
Student Body
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Compare Details Racial makeup is: Hispanic (98.8%), Asian (0.8%), White (0.3%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 74.9% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Desert Shadows Middle School is 21.7. (See more...)
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Compare Desert Shadows Middle School employs 35 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Desert Shadows Middle School is $6,426.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Desert Shadows Middle School:

SchoolDigger ranks Desert Shadows Middle School 262nd of 533 Arizona public middle schools. (See Desert Shadows Middle School in the ranking list.)

Middle School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Female students:
Male students:
Hispanic students:


Nogales Unified District:

SchoolDigger ranks Nogales Unified District 196th of 288 Arizona school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Rank History for Desert Shadows Middle School

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Compare

Rank History for all students at Desert Shadows Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools AZ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2009 54.88 291st 663 56.1%
2010 59.06 256th 692 63.0%
2011 61.79 241st 685 64.8%
2012 59.85 288th 772 62.7%
2013 66.49 234th 787 70.3%
2014 66.48 217th 690 68.6%
2015 45.49 245th 521 53.0%
2016 47.70 298th 677 56.0%
2017 51.83 274th 695 60.6%
2018 47.27 323rd 711 54.6%
2019 40.73 314th 605 48.1%
2021 30.00 541st 832 35.0%
2022 37.97 331st 605 45.3%
2023 53.76 309th 854 63.8%
2024 41.45 262nd 533 50.8%
See the entire list of Arizona Middle School Rankings!

Rank History for Multi-racial students at Desert Shadows Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools AZ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2021 42.80 344th 650 47.1%
See the entire list of Best Arizona Middle Schools for Multi-racial Students!

Rank History for English Language Learner students at Desert Shadows Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools AZ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 84.80 1st 31 96.8%
2021 43.46 190th 606 68.6%
2023 30.54 82nd 145 43.4%
See the entire list of Best Arizona Middle Schools for English Language Learner Students!

Rank History for Special Education students at Desert Shadows Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools AZ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 19.82 164th 178 7.9%
2021 32.07 579th 789 26.6%
See the entire list of Best Arizona Middle Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Desert Shadows Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools AZ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2022 38.28 212th 369 42.5%
2023 61.65 190th 717 73.5%
See the entire list of Best Arizona Middle Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Homeless students at Desert Shadows Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools AZ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2021 53.41 55th 257 78.6%
2023 33.82 35th 64 45.3%
See the entire list of Best Arizona Middle Schools for Homeless Students!

Rank History for Female students at Desert Shadows Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools AZ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 50.17 261st 624 58.2%
2019 39.90 253rd 466 45.7%
2021 29.29 561st 820 31.6%
2022 35.50 312th 494 36.8%
2023 55.36 279th 806 65.4%
2024 33.79 229th 379 39.6%
See the entire list of Best Arizona Middle Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Male students at Desert Shadows Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools AZ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 47.09 265th 617 57.1%
2019 30.13 280th 435 35.6%
2021 33.08 501st 818 38.8%
2022 27.44 334th 476 29.8%
2023 47.89 345th 810 57.4%
2024 26.47 250th 356 29.8%
See the entire list of Best Arizona Middle Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for Asian students at Desert Shadows Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools AZ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2021 25.66 341st 404 15.6%
See the entire list of Best Arizona Middle Schools for Asian Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at Desert Shadows Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools AZ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 60.65 156th 543 71.3%
2019 52.03 156th 387 59.7%
2021 37.86 447th 802 44.3%
2022 42.83 204th 392 48.0%
2023 62.06 208th 760 72.6%
2024 50.04 121st 322 62.4%
See the entire list of Best Arizona Middle Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for White students at Desert Shadows Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools AZ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2021 19.06 688th 780 11.8%
See the entire list of Best Arizona Middle Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: Arizona Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

Desert Shadows Middle School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 





Data source: Arizona Department of Education

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Enrollment information for Desert Shadows Middle School

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Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 17 3 1 518 0 n/a n/a 34 573
1989 23 1 1 602 0 n/a n/a -9 618
1990 19 n/a 1 625 n/a n/a n/a -27 618
1991 17 0 2 625 0 n/a n/a -25 619
1992 16 0 1 647 0 n/a n/a 1 665
1993 20 1 1 716 0 n/a n/a 0 738
1994 22 2 0 771 0 n/a n/a 0 795
1995 24 0 1 674 0 n/a n/a 0 699
1996 24 0 1 674 0 n/a n/a 0 699
1997 32 1 2 704 0 n/a n/a 0 739
1998 33 0 3 705 0 n/a n/a 0 741
1999 30 1 2 695 1 n/a n/a 0 729
2000 26 4 0 761 3 n/a n/a 0 794
2001 24 4 0 753 1 n/a n/a 0 782
2002 15 1 0 754 0 n/a n/a 0 770
2003 15 1 0 754 0 n/a n/a 0 770
2004 10 0 0 789 1 n/a n/a 0 800
2005 7 0 1 840 2 n/a n/a 0 850
2006 11 0 0 859 2 n/a n/a 0 872
2007 14 0 0 824 0 n/a n/a 0 838
2008 15 0 0 785 0 n/a n/a 0 800
2009 6 1 2 761 0 n/a n/a 0 770
2010 15 0 0 786 0 n/a n/a 0 801
2011 11 0 1 756 0 1 0 0 769
2012 9 1 3 755 0 1 0 0 769
2013 7 1 4 743 0 2 0 0 757
2014 8 3 5 744 0 1 1 0 762
2015 6 2 3 678 0 1 1 0 691
2016 2 1 4 682 0 0 1 0 690
2017 2 1 3 693 0 0 1 0 700
2018 0 1 3 725 0 0 1 0 730
2019 2 1 3 755 0 0 0 0 761
2020 17 4 4 764 0 0 1 0 790
2021 3 1 8 768 0 0 4 0 784
2022 2 1 10 707 0 0 2 0 722
2023 2 0 6 751 0 0 1 0 760

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Desert Shadows Middle School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 573 27.0 21.2 n/a
1989 618 29.0 21.3 n/a
1990 618 30.0 20.6 n/a
1991 619 30.0 20.6 n/a
1992 665 30.0 22.1 n/a
1993 738 28.0 26.4 n/a
1994 795 28.0 28.4 n/a
1995 699 30.5 22.9 n/a
1996 699 30.5 22.9 n/a
1997 739 32.0 23.1 n/a
1998 741 30.0 24.7 n/a
1999 729 31.0 23.5 n/a
2000 794 30.0 26.5 n/a
2001 782 34.0 23.0 n/a
2002 770 36.0 21.4 n/a
2003 770 36.0 21.4 n/a
2004 800 37.0 21.6 71.3
2005 850 35.0 24.3 75.5
2006 872 36.0 24.2 99.1
2007 838 38.0 22.1 73.4
2008 800 32.0 25.0 72.8
2009 770 33.0 23.3 76.2
2010 801 33.0 24.2 73.5
2011 769 32.0 24.0 77.4
2012 769 31.0 24.8 72
2013 757 35.0 21.6 75.3
2014 762 34.0 22.4 n/a
2015 691 30.0 23.0 0
2016 690 34.0 20.2 99.7
2017 700 36.0 19.4 99.6
2018 730 0.0 n/a 74.8
2019 761 0.0 n/a 74.9
2020 790 n/a n/a 74.8
2021 784 37.0 21.1 n/a
2022 722 37.0 19.5 74.8
2023 760 35.0 21.7 74.9

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Desert Shadows Middle School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 573 27.0 21.2 n/a
1989 618 29.0 21.3 n/a
1990 618 30.0 20.6 n/a
1991 619 30.0 20.6 n/a
1992 665 30.0 22.1 n/a
1993 738 28.0 26.4 n/a
1994 795 28.0 28.4 n/a
1995 699 30.5 22.9 n/a
1996 699 30.5 22.9 n/a
1997 739 32.0 23.1 n/a
1998 741 30.0 24.7 n/a
1999 729 31.0 23.5 n/a
2000 794 30.0 26.5 n/a
2001 782 34.0 23.0 n/a
2002 770 36.0 21.4 n/a
2003 770 36.0 21.4 n/a
2004 800 37.0 21.6 71.3
2005 850 35.0 24.3 75.5
2006 872 36.0 24.2 99.1
2007 838 38.0 22.1 73.4
2008 800 32.0 25.0 72.8
2009 770 33.0 23.3 76.2
2010 801 33.0 24.2 73.5
2011 769 32.0 24.0 77.4
2012 769 31.0 24.8 72
2013 757 35.0 21.6 75.3
2014 762 34.0 22.4 n/a
2015 691 30.0 23.0 0
2016 690 34.0 20.2 99.7
2017 700 36.0 19.4 99.6
2018 730 0.0 n/a 74.8
2019 761 0.0 n/a 74.9
2020 790 n/a n/a 74.8
2021 784 37.0 21.1 n/a
2022 722 37.0 19.5 74.8
2023 760 35.0 21.7 74.9

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Desert Shadows Middle School

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YearPersonnel Expenditures from Federal FundsNon-Personnel Expenditures from Federal FundsTotal Expenditures from Federal FundsPersonnel Expenditures from State and Local FundsNon-Personnel Expenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $547 (7.0%) $245 (3.1%) $1,339 (17.1%) $5,361 (68.4%) $1,684 (21.5%) $7,044 (89.9%) $7,836
2020 $208 (3.8%) $156 (2.8%) $573 (10.4%) $4,503 (81.8%) $638 (11.6%) $5,142 (93.4%) $5,506
2021 $357 (6.4%) $114 (2.0%) $828 (14.9%) $4,702 (84.5%) $392 (7.0%) $5,094 (91.5%) $5,565
2022 $333 (5.2%) $34 (0.5%) $701 (10.9%) $5,522 (85.9%) $537 (8.4%) $6,059 (94.3%) $6,426

Data source: Arizona Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Desert Shadows Middle School

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Ranks 314th of 605 Middle schoolsRanks 309th of 854 Middle schools
 15.7%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students761760
 0.1%
African American10
 100%
American Indian00
Asian36
 100%
Hispanic755751
 0.5%
Pacific Islander00
White22
Two or More Races01
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients74.9%74.9%
 0%


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Frequently Asked Questions about Desert Shadows Middle School

Desert Shadows Middle School ranks 262nd of 533 Arizona middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Students who attend Desert Shadows Middle School usually go on to attend Nogales High School

Students at Desert Shadows Middle School are 99% Hispanic.

In the 2022-23 school year, 760 students attended Desert Shadows 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.





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