Desert Cove Elementary School

11020 North 28th Street

School District

Paradise Valley Unified District
Grade

PK, K-6
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:13
Type

public

School Map for Paradise Valley Unified District

GreatSchools Rating

The school rating calculation is based on four ratings: the Student Progress Rating or Academic Progress Rating, College Readiness Rating, Equity Rating, and Test Score Rating each designed to show different facets of school success. Learn more about GreatSchools Ratings

Reviews

Submitted by parent on November 15, 2022

Congrats to Desert Cove Elementary for earning an “A” rating from the Arizona State Board of Education for the 2021-2022 school year. Same rating as Mercury Mine Elementary. As a parent, I see the hard work the teachers, staff, and students are putting in and it is great to see it paying off.
Submitted by parent on August 25, 2022

My children attended Desert Cove in their self contained gifted program. We love their program! not only is the program great, but the class size is generally smaller. My children learned effectively but also created stronger bonds with teachers and the students in their class, and grew tremendously in their social emotional learning. I have never encountered or heard of any bullying or issues with bullying. The kids are all really supportive of eachother!
Submitted by parent on April 01, 2018

Both of my kids have attended Desert Cove since kindergarten in the gifted program. There teachers are wonderful, and the staff is supportive. We have had no issues with bullying, as the school maintains a zero tolerance bullying policy. One year there was a teacher we didn't like, but she transferred to another school. I highly recommend Desert Cove!
Submitted by parent on January 25, 2016

After being part of the community for several years we are horrified by blatant disregard and involvement of school administration when it comes to bullying related incidents. What a disappointment! On the surface it all looks well managed but there are some major issues
Submitted by parent on January 19, 2016

Great teachers and support staff. Most staff readily available to speak with and most issues are resolved immediately. Fun school events throughout the year.
Submitted by parent on September 15, 2015

Moving from Oregon was a concern for me since Arizona is known to have lower school academics, but DC made the transition smooth for my children. Both of my children have attended DC since we moved here in 2012. They have loved their teachers and I have been very happy with their teachers and the communication about my children from the staff. The principal is great with the kids and seems to truly care about their education. I would highly recommend DC. I'm very surprised DC is rated only a 6 out of 10 on this site! -Proud parent of two Desert Cove children
Submitted by parent on August 30, 2015

2 of my 3 kids go here and it is truly a well run institution
Submitted by parent on December 01, 2014

My son has been going here for 2 years now and I love everything about this school. It has been a very positive experience for us both and Principal Lanese seems to genuinely care about all of the students.
Submitted by parent on October 04, 2014

The Self-Contained Gifted Program at DCES is stellar. Mr. Lanes is an amazing leader and the kids learn all the right values here
Submitted by parent on July 21, 2014

Desert Cove has been amazing for my child, who is now going into 4th grade. I have another starting K in the fall. We moved to the area from Scottsdale schools, and I have found the principal, teachers, and all staff to be more involved, more considerate of the students' needs, and more attentive than the "best" schools in Scottsdale (which my older kids attended). The level of parent involvement is great, and I find the activities hosted by the PTO to be outstanding and well-attended. I would recommend this school to any and all of my family & friends!
Submitted by parent on May 22, 2014

Desert Cove Elementary is fabulous from the principal (Mr. Lanese), to all the teachers, but especially the SCG teachers, to the staff and of course, the kids. Everyone here is polite, friendly, helpful and extremely qualified. We have felt so welcome and our daughter has thrived and excelled at Desert Cove.
Submitted by parent on September 26, 2013

My son switched to this school last school year and he has just improved so much from his previous school which had him to the point of hating to go, but now with the wonderful teachers and staff he once again enjoys going and is getting very involved in activities. Such a nice and pleasant learning environment.
Submitted by parent on February 11, 2013

We couldn't be more pleased with this school. The principal is warm, engaging, and hand-on, and he creates such a positive atmosphere for both students and staff. The school uses a positive-behavior based behavioral program and really employs it, posting expectations throughout the school and constantly reminding the kids what is expected of them. The teachers are incredible and seem very happy to be a part of this school. The school holds kids to a high standard -- both academically and behaviorally -- and rewards them when they meet that standard. Thank you for making this such a positive environment for both parents and kids.
Submitted by parent on December 21, 2012

I've had 3 children attend Desert Cove; my youngest is still currently a student there, and one of my sons was in a special ed self contained class. The teachers are professional, organized, caring and have been great for my kids. The current principal is approachable and always there; he knows the kids and is an encouraging figure. I have had two small issues with other children that were dealt with immediately and professionally. There is no bullying here, and our experience has been that the staff and parents have been supportive and caring to the students. I have recommended Desert Cove to other parents.
Submitted by parent on December 13, 2012

Terrible school my son went there for his 6th grade I've noticed that teachers and even the principal would treat him differant because he was hispanic they would not talk to him in english even though he spoke it very well and was constantly being sent home and for some reason the principal would always call him up to her office to talk about things he was being blamed for and always resulted in him actually not doing anything on one occasion at a school confrence i was speaking to my son in spanish and was told very rudely to speak english by the staff
Submitted by parent on August 02, 2012

I have nothing but great things to say about Desert Cove!! I have 3 kids attending. My oldest has been attending since Kindergarden (2007) and will be starting 5th grade next week. We have moved out of district and the kids refused to go anywhere but Desert Cove! The PTO is great with a huge parent involvement. I have spoken one on one with the principal with any concern I have, and always am very impressed with the outcome! The teachers are very involved and always available to meet after or before school. My kids and I give Desert Cove an A+.
Submitted by parent on May 26, 2012

My son moved to Desert Cove in December. I have been so impressed with this school! The principal communicates and cares about the students. The teachers are amazing and it truly feels like the small private school we could no longer afford. We have not missed a thing and love this school! Academics are top notch, my son is finally challenged. He says the work before was boring but now he loves the type of work he does, the way the teacher works with him, and how interesting each and every day is. This school feels like family and I am out of district. One other thing to meniton, the ladies at the front desk are so kind, friendly and helpful. This is HUGE! After years of trying to get information from the school by our house I have found them to be so comforting and easy to communicate with. It just helps make everything else that is wonderful really amazing... and the PTO is wonderful as well!
Submitted by parent on May 20, 2012

Our experience with Desert Cove has been phenomenal! No complaints and the kids love it there.
Submitted by parent on February 29, 2012

Both of my kids have gone to this school a long time, one since 2nd grade who is now in middle school, and the other since kindergarten and is currently in 4th grade. I have a lot of respect and admiration for the teachers and staff that are at Desert Cove. My oldest child had some attention issues and every teacher, each year, was very willing to work with us to find ways to help her focus and stay on task, and above all get the most out of her education. I am very grateful to all of them for their hard work and attention, which is so difficult to provide in a public school setting. Both of my kids have been in the gifted/honors classes and I have to say that has been one of the BEST aspects of their education. The teacher is AMAZING! The classes are tough, but she is very fair and her focus is on making sure the kids are challenged and understand the materials. She is communicative and very proactive in discussing potential issues with parents. I don't think I could ask for a better teacher, role model, and mentor for my kids. No school or person (teacher) is perfect, but I am grateful that the staff and teachers at Desert Cove do their very best for our kids... every day.
Submitted by parent on January 29, 2012

Read the prior review and am sorry for that families experience. I just wanted to comment that I had an issue that needed attention from teacher and principal this school year and it was dealt with professionally and promptly. Overall, I feel teachers and administration seem very committed to their students and that's what I hear from several other parents as well.