Desert Canyon Elementary School

10203 East McDowell Mountain Ranch Road

School District

Scottsdale Unified District
Grade

PK, K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:13
Type

public

School Map for Scottsdale 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 February 26, 2025

Longtime DCES family! We love this school and our community!
Submitted by parent on February 26, 2025

This school has been a wonderful place for my child. He started in kindergarden and is now in 3rd grade. The teachers have worked with him in and out of the classroom to help him reach his potential in reading and writing. They care about their students and it shows in the respect on display in and out of the classroom. Diversity is welcomed at this school. Inclusivity is practiced. These kids are learning, both academically and emotionally. The admin are present on campus each day and engaged with teachers and classrooms to encourage learning and development. Parents are heavily engaged in school volunteering and activities. I could not recommend this school more enthusiastically than I already do.
Submitted by parent on February 23, 2025

This school is a zoo! First and foremost, I am beyond concerned about the safety at this school, everyday…It’s nonexistent. The curriculum does not prepare your children for anything and grades are faked to keep ratings high. The teachers are BEYOND rude and lazy and are constantly on their phones not paying attention to the kids. I wish I could mention the principal but she’s never around except for big events. A good portion of the staff have very concerning personal issues that filter into the school, resulting in an extreme lack of overall care. The staff constantly has attitudes and have intimidation tactics to deal with students. There is a HUGE lack of diversity resulting in racism, the children are very sexually advanced, parents are not involved in their kids lives and bullying is generally accepted at this school and not dealt with. I 100% DO NOT recommend this school for any parent who cares about their child’s education, safety, growth or emotions.
Submitted by parent on September 10, 2024

Excellent school, fantastic instructors and a nice welcoming environment. My one complaint would be that there’s one security officer shared between this building and Redfield elementary. Seems there should be a full-time person on campus given there’s a middle school connected.
Submitted by parent on September 06, 2024

The school hates students. The receptionist is extremely rude and has acted as an obstacle between the school and parents. She yells at students and parents. She belittles parents and students.
Submitted by parent on March 05, 2024

Desert Canyon Elementary is a great public school! It meets the diverse needs of my three students. I have had very positive interactions with the administration and special education staff. All of my students' teachers have been kind, supportive and have approached the occasional issues that have arisen with a problem solving lens. All three are pushed in developmentally appropriate ways and all three come home happy at the end of the day. There are lots of extra curricular sports and activities; parents are very involved here. The school promotes ROAR behaviors, which stands for Respect, Outstanding Character, Appreciation and Responsibility. The staff, students and broader school community exemplify these every day.
Submitted by parent on November 17, 2023

We originally came to Desert Canyon for the Mandarin Program and were so happy to find not only a great Mandarin Immersion eduction for our kids, but also a loving neighborhood school where they can have all the events and community support that comes along with it. We love the immersion program, the garden club, the PTO events, the Gifted programs, and the fact that so many teachers have been at the school for so long. The school layout was designed with a child psychologist so each grade has “coves” which allows the kids better socialization opportunities than I have seen at other schools which is so important at this age. DCES has the whole package and we feel so fortunate that our children are able to get a Dual Language Immersion education along with the quintessential elementary school experience.
Submitted by parent on November 15, 2023

DCES is an incredible school. I’m so grateful we found it. Both my students are in the Mandarin Immersion program and THRIVING. The teachers are top notch. Many have been with the school since it opened. The community here is also wonderful. We have a very involved and engaged PTO. There are always opportunities to volunteer from Tuesday garden club to in classroom centers. We are also fortunate to have an amazing social worker Mrs L on campus along with her service dog Pax. The kids all love when Pax comes to class for a visit. We are one of the few elementary schools in the area that have a resource officer on campus and that really adds to the campus safety. DCES is also a Be Kind school.
Submitted by parent on August 22, 2023

Our experience at Desert Canyon has been fantastic! We have two children who have attended since Kindergarten and they are so happy to come to school each day. In my opinion that is the mark of a great school. Our kids have had amazing teachers each year and we are incredibly happy with their experience in the Mandarin Immersion program. There are several teachers who have been here since the school opened 25 years ago! The specials teachers are all truly special. Students not in the Mandarin Immersion program get to enjoy Mandarin as a special each week. The Principal is always so kind, fair, and absolutely loves the students. She has handled a few loud and difficult parents with such grace. We highly recommend Desert Canyon and are so glad we chose it for our kids!!
Submitted by parent on August 21, 2023

Our experience at Desert Canyon has been extremely positive. It has a great family community and the teachers are fantastic. There are many opportunities for parents to volunteer and many events for parents to attend. The school also offers a fantastic Mandarin Immersion program. They also have a very supportive PTO and highly qualified teachers. I feel like my kids are engaged everyday in their classrooms and come back home with nothing by good things to say about school. We highly recommend this school for everyone.
Submitted by parent on August 21, 2023

Our student has had incredible teachers each year in the Mandarin Immersion Program. The parent community is very welcoming and we adore the campus. The special area teachers are so talented as well. Just the right amount of homework. Kind and responsive administration.
Submitted by parent on August 21, 2023

The school acts as a barrier between you and your child.
Submitted by parent on August 16, 2023

DCES is a special school. There are so many opportunities for all children; garden club, Mandarin, band, strings, choir, not to mention the countless after school activities offered. The teachers are all credentialed and have many years experience. They come to school excited and enthusiastic every day which really rubs off on the students. The PTO really does a great job of bringing the community together and providing many fun opportunities throughout the year. My kids have loved every minute of being at DCES. We are lucky to have such an amazing school.
Submitted by parent on August 09, 2023

This is our fifth year at DCES. Both of my kids love the school and actually looked forward to returning after summer break, which says a lot. Every teacher we've had has exceeded my expectations and this year is no different. The teachers make learning fun while preparing kids for the next grade. DCES is a neighborhood school where the parent community is extremely supportive of one another and of the school in general. Parents are encouraged to volunteer on campus and to bring forth ideas to improve the school and the teacher and student experience. I am so happy we chose this school!
Submitted by parent on August 05, 2023

Desert Canyon Elementary School thrives thanks to its amazing teachers, PTO, and supportive parents. They are the heart of the school, nurturing a positive and enriching learning environment for the students. Offering our students different settings of learning in general education and Mandarin immersion program on campus.
Submitted by parent on February 17, 2023

Teachers have been amazing here but they lack the support of the administrators and it shows. It’s hard for students to learn when other students are a constant distraction with their poor behavior. The behaviors of students are out of control this year. My student comes home and shuts down daily because the distractions of poor behavior and teachers yelling throughout the day are overwhelming. Many do not care for the Principal or Assistant Principal because they don’t seem to enforce the district code of conduct and actually do something with the kids on campus fighting.
Submitted by parent on May 09, 2019

Really positive - a massive fan of their Chinese immersion program
Submitted by parent on May 09, 2019

Desert Canyon Elementary is a fantastic school. The teachers all care about every student succeeding and the parent involvement is outstanding. This school is very hands on for the students and family. We highly recommend DCES.
Submitted by parent on May 09, 2019

Amazing! We've had amazing teachers every year! The staff have been supportive!
Submitted by parent on May 09, 2019

Both of my children started at DCES in pre-K and I have enjoyed every single school year for each of them. The teaching staff, administration and community of DCES families have created a wonderful environment for my children to grow academically and personally. I highly recommend this school!