Desert Cove Elementary School

Summary:

Desert Cove Elementary School is a public elementary school in Phoenix, Arizona, serving 396 students in grades PK-6. The school is part of the Paradise Valley Unified District, which is ranked 108 out of 288 districts in the state and has a 3-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Desert Cove's academic performance is generally higher than the state and district averages, particularly in 3rd, 4th, and 5th grades. However, 6th-grade performance lags behind the district and state. The school performs well for female students, ranking in the top 50% of Arizona elementary schools, but struggles with Asian, African American, and Hispanic student performance, ranking in the bottom 50% or lower. Despite these disparities, Desert Cove has maintained a consistent 3-star rating from SchoolDigger, indicating a stable level of performance.

Interestingly, some nearby schools, such as Benchmark School and Mercury Mine Elementary School, demonstrate even stronger academic results, especially in English Language Arts and Mathematics. Additionally, Desert Cove has a relatively low percentage of free/reduced lunch recipients (35.61%) compared to some of the surrounding schools, such as Scholars Academy Sunnyslope (81.77%) and Sunnyslope Elementary School (92.88%), which may be a contributing factor to its academic performance.


Detail:

Public PK, KG-6

 11020 N 28th St
       Phoenix, AZ  85028-2511


(602) 449-3400

District: Paradise Valley Unified District

SchoolDigger Rank:
378th of 904 Arizona Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $10,366 Help


Students who attend Desert Cove Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:    Shea Middle School
High:    Shadow Mountain High School

Student/teacher ratio:  12.0 Help
Number of students:  396

Racial breakdown:

White:
58.3%
Hispanic:
29.5%
Two or more races:
6.3%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  35.6% Help


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Performance Trends
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Compare Details Desert Cove Elementary School ranks better than 58.2% of elementary schools in Arizona. It also ranks 17th among 25 ranked elementary schools in the Paradise Valley Unified District. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 53.12. (See more...)
Student Body
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Compare Details Racial makeup is: White (58.3%), Hispanic (29.5%), two or more races (6.3%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 35.6% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Desert Cove Elementary School is 12, which is the 7th best among 25 elementary schools in the Paradise Valley Unified District. (See more...)
Help
Compare Desert Cove Elementary School employs 32.8 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Desert Cove Elementary School is $10,366, which is the 8th highest among 25 elementary schools in the Paradise Valley Unified District.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Desert Cove Elementary School:

SchoolDigger ranks Desert Cove Elementary School 378th of 904 Arizona public elementary schools. (See Desert Cove Elementary School in the ranking list.)

Elementary School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Female students:
Male students:
White students:


Paradise Valley Unified District:

SchoolDigger ranks Paradise Valley Unified District 108th of 288 Arizona school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Your rating for Desert Cove Elementary School?

Rank History for Desert Cove Elementary School

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Compare

Rank History for all students at Desert Cove Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools AZ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2009 67.20 369th 1062 65.3%
2010 66.41 371st 1090 66.0%
2011 72.83 292nd 1075 72.8%
2012 66.88 362nd 1141 68.3%
2013 56.24 499th 1158 56.9%
2014 62.83 404th 1079 62.6%
2015 52.21 401st 955 58.0%
2016 52.09 466th 1079 56.8%
2017 53.47 456th 1106 58.8%
2018 50.48 495th 1109 55.4%
2019 46.17 512th 1039 50.7%
2021 61.00 432nd 1226 64.8%
2022 59.23 361st 1000 63.9%
2023 65.95 380th 1245 69.5%
2024 53.12 378th 904 58.2%
See the entire list of Arizona Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for Multi-racial students at Desert Cove Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools AZ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2021 62.67 288th 1027 72.0%
2022 25.64 404th 444 9.0%
2023 42.38 387th 617 37.3%
See the entire list of Best Arizona Elementary Schools for Multi-racial Students!

Rank History for English Language Learner students at Desert Cove Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools AZ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2021 39.29 545th 975 44.1%
See the entire list of Best Arizona Elementary Schools for English Language Learner Students!

Rank History for Special Education students at Desert Cove Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools AZ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 46.83 176th 417 57.8%
2021 58.34 311th 1201 74.1%
2022 41.85 109th 145 24.8%
2023 40.35 450th 820 45.1%
See the entire list of Best Arizona Elementary Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Desert Cove Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools AZ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 28.81 618th 820 24.6%
2022 68.87 186th 618 69.9%
2023 48.77 505th 1116 54.7%
See the entire list of Best Arizona Elementary Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at Desert Cove Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools AZ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 51.96 457th 1023 55.3%
2019 49.62 408th 862 52.7%
2021 49.21 547th 1219 55.1%
2022 62.32 278th 824 66.3%
2023 61.20 422nd 1219 65.4%
2024 54.03 248th 593 58.2%
See the entire list of Best Arizona Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Foster Care students at Desert Cove Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools AZ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2021 29.90 239th 306 21.9%
See the entire list of Best Arizona Elementary Schools for Foster Care Students!

Rank History for Male students at Desert Cove Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools AZ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 44.48 535th 1032 48.2%
2019 45.11 435th 850 48.8%
2021 69.66 335th 1220 72.5%
2022 58.71 309th 830 62.8%
2023 65.77 369th 1216 69.7%
2024 46.00 316th 609 48.1%
See the entire list of Best Arizona Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for Asian students at Desert Cove Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools AZ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2021 65.25 203rd 620 67.3%
2022 21.01 249th 270 7.8%
See the entire list of Best Arizona Elementary Schools for Asian Students!

Rank History for African American students at Desert Cove Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools AZ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2021 22.43 809th 895 9.6%
See the entire list of Best Arizona Elementary Schools for African American Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at Desert Cove Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools AZ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 26.86 699th 911 23.3%
2021 42.51 609th 1198 49.2%
2023 48.03 540th 1170 53.8%
See the entire list of Best Arizona Elementary Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for White students at Desert Cove Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools AZ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 45.82 417th 720 42.1%
2019 33.92 419th 595 29.6%
2021 58.99 432nd 1161 62.8%
2022 56.73 312th 800 61.0%
2023 62.65 340th 1024 66.8%
2024 38.31 314th 477 34.2%
See the entire list of Best Arizona Elementary 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 Cove Elementary School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 






Data source: Arizona Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 4.3)
75%

0%

0%

25%

0%

  

Reviews:
by a parent
Friday, March 29, 2019

Open Quote Admin is a pushy and self-centered. Not student centered Close Quote


by a parent
Tuesday, October 17, 2017

Open Quote Desert Cove is a great school with a lot to offer like a gifted program and friendly teachers that care about their students future. Close Quote


by a parent
Thursday, March 10, 2011

Open Quote Great school. Pretty new. All my 3 kids went or go there. Close Quote



Enrollment information for Desert Cove Elementary School

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Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 581 11 5 13 0 n/a n/a -10 600
1989 588 10 7 10 0 n/a n/a -52 563
1990 552 12 10 8 n/a n/a n/a -11 571
1991 555 14 13 20 1 n/a n/a 13 616
1992 542 8 13 22 0 n/a n/a 0 585
1993 561 7 19 23 4 n/a n/a 0 614
1994 537 13 11 31 0 n/a n/a 0 592
1995 512 17 13 26 0 n/a n/a 0 568
1996 512 17 13 26 0 n/a n/a 0 568
1997 524 17 10 35 1 n/a n/a 0 587
1998 499 13 10 37 1 n/a n/a 0 560
1999 463 19 6 47 2 n/a n/a 0 537
2000 439 15 7 47 3 n/a n/a 0 511
2001 410 14 6 56 3 n/a n/a 0 489
2002 413 23 9 40 7 n/a n/a 0 492
2003 413 23 9 40 7 n/a n/a 0 492
2004 540 22 10 74 11 n/a n/a 0 657
2005 511 20 10 73 7 n/a n/a 0 621
2006 484 27 13 86 8 n/a n/a 0 618
2007 440 21 13 78 10 n/a n/a 0 562
2008 447 21 12 80 5 n/a n/a 0 565
2009 432 30 10 82 10 n/a n/a 0 564
2010 401 31 15 90 9 n/a n/a 0 546
2011 353 8 15 107 4 2 48 0 537
2012 387 15 16 107 5 4 38 0 572
2013 393 14 21 112 6 3 33 0 582
2014 409 15 23 118 5 4 35 0 609
2015 328 17 15 116 6 7 34 0 523
2016 348 17 7 113 7 4 35 0 531
2017 334 17 9 115 8 6 31 0 520
2018 321 23 3 121 9 6 23 0 506
2019 297 20 4 124 7 4 22 0 478
2020 303 9 5 123 5 5 22 0 472
2021 250 6 5 118 4 4 18 0 405
2022 243 10 8 112 3 5 22 0 403
2023 231 8 5 117 5 5 25 0 396

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 Cove Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 600 38.0 15.7 n/a
1989 563 35.0 16.0 n/a
1990 571 38.0 15.0 n/a
1991 616 37.2 16.5 n/a
1992 585 38.3 15.2 n/a
1993 614 38.2 16.1 n/a
1994 592 36.2 16.4 n/a
1995 568 36.7 15.5 n/a
1996 568 36.7 15.5 n/a
1997 587 35.2 16.7 n/a
1998 560 34.5 16.2 n/a
1999 537 34.6 15.5 n/a
2000 511 34.6 14.8 n/a
2001 489 31.9 15.3 n/a
2002 492 36.2 13.6 23.2
2003 492 36.2 13.6 23.2
2004 657 43.5 15.1 28.5
2005 621 35.3 17.6 30.8
2006 618 34.8 17.8 28.5
2007 562 36.3 15.5 24.9
2008 565 36.0 15.7 23.7
2009 564 33.0 17.1 27.8
2010 546 35.5 15.3 29.9
2011 537 38.5 13.9 30.9
2012 572 37.5 15.2 35.7
2013 582 34.5 16.8 44.3
2014 609 36.3 16.7 15.8
2015 523 37.0 14.1 32.1
2016 531 38.0 13.9 29.9
2017 520 40.5 12.8 39
2018 506 37.5 13.4 40.9
2019 478 36.2 13.2 37.7
2020 472 34.3 13.7 35
2021 405 32.0 12.6 n/a
2022 403 30.3 13.2 16.9
2023 396 32.8 12.0 35.6

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 Cove Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 600 38.0 15.7 n/a
1989 563 35.0 16.0 n/a
1990 571 38.0 15.0 n/a
1991 616 37.2 16.5 n/a
1992 585 38.3 15.2 n/a
1993 614 38.2 16.1 n/a
1994 592 36.2 16.4 n/a
1995 568 36.7 15.5 n/a
1996 568 36.7 15.5 n/a
1997 587 35.2 16.7 n/a
1998 560 34.5 16.2 n/a
1999 537 34.6 15.5 n/a
2000 511 34.6 14.8 n/a
2001 489 31.9 15.3 n/a
2002 492 36.2 13.6 23.2
2003 492 36.2 13.6 23.2
2004 657 43.5 15.1 28.5
2005 621 35.3 17.6 30.8
2006 618 34.8 17.8 28.5
2007 562 36.3 15.5 24.9
2008 565 36.0 15.7 23.7
2009 564 33.0 17.1 27.8
2010 546 35.5 15.3 29.9
2011 537 38.5 13.9 30.9
2012 572 37.5 15.2 35.7
2013 582 34.5 16.8 44.3
2014 609 36.3 16.7 15.8
2015 523 37.0 14.1 32.1
2016 531 38.0 13.9 29.9
2017 520 40.5 12.8 39
2018 506 37.5 13.4 40.9
2019 478 36.2 13.2 37.7
2020 472 34.3 13.7 35
2021 405 32.0 12.6 n/a
2022 403 30.3 13.2 16.9
2023 396 32.8 12.0 35.6

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 Cove Elementary 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 $423 (4.0%) $54 (0.5%) $900 (8.6%) $8,341 (79.4%) $1,681 (16.0%) $10,023 (95.5%) $10,500
2020 $00 (0.0%) n/a n/a $7,944 (96.0%) $332 (4.0%) $8,276 (100.0%) $8,276
2021 $1,337 (14.1%) $350 (3.7%) $3,025 (31.8%) $7,480 (78.6%) $348 (3.7%) $7,828 (82.3%) $9,516
2022 $702 (6.8%) $214 (2.1%) $1,618 (15.6%) $9,039 (87.2%) $410 (4.0%) $9,449 (91.2%) $10,366

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

Impact of COVID-19 on Desert Cove Elementary 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 512th of 1039 Elementary schoolsRanks 380th of 1245 Elementary schools
 18.8%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students478396
 17.2%
African American208
 60%
American Indian75
 28.6%
Asian45
 25%
Hispanic124117
 5.6%
Pacific Islander45
 25%
White297231
 22.2%
Two or More Races2225
 13.6%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients37.7%35.6%
 2.1%


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Frequently Asked Questions about Desert Cove Elementary School

In the 2022-23 school year, 396 students attended Desert Cove Elementary School.

Students who attend Desert Cove Elementary School usually go on to attend:

Middle : Shea Middle School
High : Shadow Mountain High School

Desert Cove Elementary School ranks 378th of 904 Arizona elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Students at Desert Cove Elementary School are 58% White, 30% Hispanic, 6% Two or more races, 2% African American, 1% Asian, 1% American Indian, 1% Pacific Islander.


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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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