Desert Shadows Middle School

5858 E SWEETWATER AVE
SCOTTSDALE, AZ 85254

desertshadowsms.pvschools.net/

791 Students

Middle School 5th - 8th

School Overview

Desert Shadows Middle School, located in Scottsdale, Arizona, is a prominent campus within the Paradise Valley Unified School District. Serving students in grades 6 through 8, the school is known for its commitment to academic excellence and a well-rounded educational experience. The curriculum is designed to challenge students through rigorous core subjects while preparing them for the transition to high school, consistently maintaining a reputation as a high-performing institution within the local community.

Beyond academics, Desert Shadows emphasizes a supportive and inclusive campus culture that encourages student involvement in extracurricular activities. The school offers a variety of programs, including competitive athletics, performing arts, and diverse clubs, aimed at fostering leadership, social development, and personal interests. By balancing academic rigor with a focus on holistic student growth, Desert Shadows Middle School strives to create an environment where students are prepared to succeed both inside and outside the classroom.

791

Total Students

39.4

Full-Time Teachers

20.1

Student/Teacher Ratio

N/A

Free/Reduced Lunch

Student Demographics

Student Demographics Data Table

Student Demographics for Desert Shadows Middle School
Demographic	Student Count
White	547
Hispanic	139
Black	14
Asian	26
Two or More	51
American Indian	13
Pacific Islander	1

White
547 (69.2%)
Hispanic
139 (17.6%)
Two or More
51 (6.4%)
Asian
26 (3.3%)
Black
14 (1.8%)
American Indian
13 (1.6%)
Pacific Islander
1 (0.1%)

School Location

School Details

Status:	Open
School Level:	Middle School
School Type:	Regular School
Charter Status:*	Public Non-Charter
Virtual Instruction:	No virtual instruction
Shared Time Status:	No
District:	Paradise Valley Unified District (4241)
Phone:	(602)449-6800
Website:	http://desertshadowsms.pvschools.net/
Grade Range:	5th - 8th
Total Students:	791
Full-Time Teachers (FTE):	39.4
Pupil/Teacher Ratio:	20.1
NSLP Participation:¹	Yes participating without using any Provision or the CEO
Qualified Free Lunch:	0
Qualified Reduced Lunch:	0

* Charter Schools: A public charter school is a publicly funded school that operates independently under a legislative contract (or "charter") with a state, school district, or designated authorizing entity. Charters grant these schools greater operational flexibility over curriculum, staffing, and budgeting in exchange for strict accountability to achieve performance standards established in their charter agreement.

¹ National School Lunch Program (NSLP): The National School Lunch Program is a federally assisted meal program operating in public and nonprofit private schools. It provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches to eligible children each school day based on household income thresholds or community eligibility options (CEO).

Title I Program Overview: Title I, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) allocates federal financial assistance to local educational agencies and public schools with high percentages of children from low-income families to help ensure that all children meet challenging state academic standards.

Grades Taught

Grade 7 417

Grade 8 374