Desert Sands Academy Of Mass Communication & Journalism (Ranked Bottom 50% for 2025-26)

6308 W Campbell Ave
Phoenix, AZ 85033

( shown in map)

Bottom 50%

Serving 518 students in grades 6-8, Desert Sands Academy Of Mass Communication & Journalism ranks in the bottom 50% of all schools in Arizona for overall test scores (math proficiency is bottom 50%, and reading proficiency is bottom 50%).

The percentage of students achieving is 9% (which is lower than the Arizona state average of 34%). The percentage of students achieving is 19% (which is lower than the Arizona state average of 40%).

The student-teacher ratio of 18:1 is higher than the Arizona state level of 17:1.

Minority enrollment is 98% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is higher than the Arizona state average of 66% (majority Hispanic).

Quick Facts (2025-26)

Grades: 6-8
Enrollment: 518 students
Student-Teacher Ratio: 18:1
Minority Enrollment: 98%
: Bottom 50% in AZ
: 9% (Btm 50%)
: 19% (Btm 50%)
: 7% (Btm 50%)
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), AZ Dept. of Education

School Overview

Desert Sands Academy Of Mass Communication & Journalism's student population of 518 students has declined by 43% over five school years.

The teacher population of 29 teachers has declined by 44% over five school years.

Grades Offered

Grades 6-8
(No virtual instruction)

View Data

Distribution of Students By Grade Trends
Grade	Desert Sands Academy Of Mass Communication & Journalism
7	241
8	277

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Total Students

518 students

View Data

Total Students Trends Over Years (1987-2023)
Year	Desert Sands Academy Of Mass Communication & Journalism
2023	572
2022	441
2021	515
2020	920
2019	920
2018	1,101
2017	1,101
2016	1,051
2015	1,103
2014	1,119
2013	1,146
2012	1,121
2011	1,052
2010	1,175
2009	1,209
2008	1,400
2007	1,453
2006	1,423
2005	985
2004	946
2003	1,018
2002	899
2001	1,010
2000	1,201
1999	1,214
1998	1,042
1997	1,110
1996	1,078
1995	969
1994	974
1993	971
1992	897
1991	815
1990	821
1989	853
1988	814
1987	898

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Gender %

Total Classroom Teachers

29 teachers

View Data

Total Classroom Teachers Trends Over Years (1987-2023)
Year	Desert Sands Academy Of Mass Communication & Journalism
2023	29
2022	25
2021	30
2020	52
2019	52
2018	50
2017	50
2016	50
2015	48
2014	56
2013	59
2012	63
2011	56
2010	54
2009	62
2008	68
2007	67
2006	70
2005	51
2004	46
2003	48
2002	48
2001	46
2000	54
1999	54
1998	54
1997	50
1996	49
1995	49
1994	47
1993	47
1992	45
1991	45
1990	44
1989	44
1988	47
1987	47

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School Calendar

School Motto

Growing leaders and learners - every child, every classroom, every day!

School Rankings

Desert Sands Academy Of Mass Communication & Journalism ranks within the bottom 50% of all 1,921 schools in Arizona (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).

The of Desert Sands Academy Of Mass Communication & Journalism is 0.27, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.66. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.

This School

State Level (AZ)

#1737 out of 1921 schools
(Bottom 50%)

View Data

Overall School Rank Trends Over Years (2012-2023)
Year	Desert Sands Academy Of Mass Communication & Journalism
2023	#1737
2022	#1761
2021	#1563
2019	#1936
2018	#1809
2017	#1554
2016	#1471
2015	#1800
2014	#1221
2013	#1117
2012	#1332

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34%

View Data

Math Proficiency Comparison Over Years (2012-2023)
Year	Desert Sands Academy Of Mass Communication & Journalism	Arizona	Cartwright Elementary District (4282) School District
2023	9%	34%	19%
2022	9%	35%	15%
2021	7%	32%	8%
2019	16%	45%	29%
2018	16%	45%	27%
2017	20%	42%	28%
2016	20%	39%	24%
2015	16%	38%	22%
2014	56%	63%	57%
2013	58%	63%	59%
2012	50%	63%	56%

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19%

40%

View Data

Reading and Language Arts Proficiency Comparison Over Years (2011-2022)
Year	Desert Sands Academy Of Mass Communication & Journalism	Arizona	Cartwright Elementary District (4282) School District
2022	19%	40%	21%
2021	20%	39%	18%
2019	23%	45%	28%
2018	25%	44%	27%
2017	24%	42%	26%
2016	21%	40%	22%
2015	14%	38%	18%
2014	68%	79%	69%
2013	71%	78%	69%
2012	66%	77%	68%
2011	68%	77%	68%

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24%

Student-Teacher Ratio

18:1

17:1

View Data

Student-Teacher Ratio Comparison Over Years (1987-2023)
Year	Desert Sands Academy Of Mass Communication & Journalism	Arizona	Cartwright Elementary District (4282) School District
2023	20:1	17:1	23:1
2022	18:1	17:1	21:1
2021	17:1	17:1	20:1
2020	18:1	18:1	20:1
2019	18:1	18:1	20:1
2018	22:1	19:1	22:1
2017	22:1	19:1	22:1
2016	21:1	20:1	23:1
2015	23:1	20:1	21:1
2014	20:1	19:1	21:1
2013	19:1	19:1	20:1
2012	18:1	18:1	17:1
2011	19:1	19:1	18:1
2010	22:1	18:1	20:1
2009	19:1	18:1	18:1
2008	21:1	18:1	18:1
2007	22:1	18:1	18:1
2006	20:1	18:1	20:1
2005	19:1	19:1	20:1
2004	21:1	19:1	21:1
2003	21:1	19:1	21:1
2002	19:1	19:1	21:1
2001	22:1	19:1	22:1
2000	22:1	19:1	21:1
1999	22:1	19:1	22:1
1998	19:1	19:1	19:1
1997	22:1	19:1	20:1
1996	22:1	19:1	21:1
1995	20:1	19:1	20:1
1994	21:1	19:1	21:1
1993	21:1	20:1	21:1
1992	20:1	20:1	21:1
1991	18:1	20:1	21:1
1990	19:1	20:1	21:1
1989	19:1	20:1	20:1
1988	18:1	20:1	21:1
1987	19:1	20:1	21:1

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American Indian

View Data

American Indian Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1992-2023)
Year	Desert Sands Academy Of Mass Communication & Journalism	Arizona	Cartwright Elementary District (4282) School District
2023	1%	5%	2%
2022	1%	5%	1%
2021	1%	5%	1%
2020	2%	6%	1%
2019	2%	6%	1%
2018	2%	6%	2%
2017	2%	6%	2%
2016	1%	5%	1%
2015	1%	5%	2%
2014	2%	5%	1%
2013	2%	5%	2%
2012	1%	5%	2%
2010	2%	6%	2%
2009	1%	6%	2%
2008	1%	5%	2%
2007	1%	6%	1%
2006	1%	7%	1%
2005	2%	7%	1%
2004	1%	8%	1%
2003	1%	8%	1%
2002	2%	8%	2%
2001	2%	8%	2%
2000	3%	8%	2%
1999	1%	7%	2%
1998	1%	7%	2%
1997	2%	7%	2%
1996	1%	7%	2%
1995	1%	7%	1%
1994	1%	7%	1%
1993	1%	7%	2%
1992	1%	8%	1%

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Asian

View Data

Asian Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1992-2023)
Year	Desert Sands Academy Of Mass Communication & Journalism	Arizona	Cartwright Elementary District (4282) School District
2023	1%	3%
2022	1%	3%
2021	1%	3%
2020	1%	3%
2019	1%	3%
2014	1%	3%
2013	1%	3%
2009	1%	3%
2008	1%	3%
2007	1%	3%
2006	1%	2%	1%
2005	1%	2%	1%
2004	1%	2%	1%
2003	1%	2%	1%
2002	1%	2%	1%
2001	1%	2%	1%
2000	1%	2%	1%
1999	1%	2%	1%
1998	1%	2%	1%
1997	1%	2%	1%
1996	1%	2%	1%
1995	1%	2%	1%
1994	1%	2%	1%
1993	2%	2%	1%
1992	1%	2%	1%

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Hispanic

85%

48%

View Data

Hispanic Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1991-2023)
Year	Desert Sands Academy Of Mass Communication & Journalism	Arizona	Cartwright Elementary District (4282) School District
2023	86%	47%	89%
2022	86%	47%	89%
2021	88%	46%	89%
2020	87%	45%	89%
2019	87%	45%	89%
2018	88%	45%	90%
2017	88%	45%	90%
2016	88%	45%	90%
2015	88%	45%	87%
2014	86%	44%	90%
2013	86%	43%	89%
2012	85%	43%	89%
2011	87%	42%	89%
2010	88%	41%	90%
2009	88%	41%	90%
2008	89%	42%	90%
2007	84%	41%	90%
2006	84%	39%	88%
2005	80%	38%	85%
2004	79%	37%	83%
2003	72%	36%	79%
2002	70%	35%	76%
2001	63%	33%	72%
2000	57%	33%	68%
1999	56%	32%	63%
1998	53%	31%	59%
1997	48%	30%	54%
1996	42%	30%	49%
1995	39%	29%	44%
1994	33%	28%	40%
1993	33%	27%	35%
1992	27%	25%	31%
1991	30%	25%	27%

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Black

View Data

Black Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1991-2023)
Year	Desert Sands Academy Of Mass Communication & Journalism	Arizona	Cartwright Elementary District (4282) School District
2023	6%	6%	5%
2022	6%	6%	6%
2021	5%	6%	6%
2020	5%	5%	6%
2019	5%	5%	6%
2018	6%	5%	5%
2017	6%	5%	5%
2016	6%	5%	5%
2015	6%	5%	6%
2014	6%	5%	4%
2013	6%	5%	4%
2012	7%	5%	4%
2011	6%	5%	4%
2010	4%	6%	4%
2009	4%	6%	4%
2008	4%	6%	4%
2007	6%	5%	4%
2006	6%	5%	4%
2005	6%	5%	5%
2004	7%	5%	5%
2003	10%	5%	7%
2002	10%	5%	7%
2001	11%	5%	9%
2000	12%	4%	9%
1999	11%	5%	10%
1998	13%	4%	11%
1997	14%	4%	11%
1996	12%	4%	12%
1995	13%	4%	13%
1994	14%	4%	13%
1993	14%	4%	12%
1992	12%	4%	11%
1991	10%	3%	8%

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White

34%

View Data

White Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1991-2023)
Year	Desert Sands Academy Of Mass Communication & Journalism	Arizona	Cartwright Elementary District (4282) School District
2023	4%	35%	3%
2022	5%	35%	3%
2021	4%	36%	3%
2020	4%	38%	4%
2019	4%	38%	4%
2018	4%	38%	3%
2017	4%	38%	3%
2016	5%	39%	4%
2015	5%	40%	5%
2014	5%	41%	4%
2013	5%	42%	4%
2012	6%	42%	4%
2011	6%	42%	4%
2010	6%	44%	4%
2009	6%	44%	4%
2008	5%	44%	4%
2007	8%	45%	5%
2006	8%	47%	6%
2005	11%	48%	8%
2004	11%	48%	10%
2003	15%	49%	12%
2002	17%	50%	14%
2001	23%	52%	16%
2000	27%	53%	20%
1999	31%	54%	24%
1998	31%	56%	27%
1997	35%	57%	32%
1996	43%	57%	36%
1995	45%	58%	41%
1994	51%	59%	45%
1993	50%	60%	50%
1992	58%	61%	56%
1991	61%	65%	63%

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Hawaiian

n/a

Two or more races

View Data

Two or More Races Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (2011-2023)
Year	Desert Sands Academy Of Mass Communication & Journalism	Arizona	Cartwright Elementary District (4282) School District
2023	2%	4%	1%
2022	1%	4%	1%
2021	1%	4%	1%
2020	1%	3%
2019	1%	3%
2012	1%	2%	1%
2011	1%	1%	1%

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All Ethnic Groups

0.27

0.66

View Data

Diversity Score Comparison Over Years (1991-2023)
Year	Desert Sands Academy Of Mass Communication & Journalism	Arizona	Cartwright Elementary District (4282) School District
2023	0.26	0.65	0.20
2022	0.26	0.65	0.21
2021	0.22	0.66	0.21
2020	0.24	0.65	0.21
2019	0.24	0.65	0.21
2018	0.22	0.65	0.18
2017	0.22	0.65	0.18
2016	0.22	0.65	0.19
2015	0.22	0.64	0.22
2014	0.26	0.64	0.20
2013	0.28	0.64	0.20
2012	0.27	0.64	0.21
2011	0.26	0.65	0.21
2010	0.22	0.64	0.18
2009	0.22	0.64	0.18
2008	0.21	0.63	0.18
2007	0.29	0.63	0.19
2006	0.29	0.63	0.23
2005	0.36	0.62	0.27
2004	0.36	0.63	0.30
2003	0.45	0.63	0.36
2002	0.48	0.62	0.39
2001	0.54	0.62	0.45
2000	0.59	0.62	0.50
1999	0.58	0.60	0.54
1998	0.61	0.59	0.57
1997	0.63	0.58	0.60
1996	0.63	0.58	0.62
1995	0.63	0.58	0.63
1994	0.62	0.57	0.63
1993	0.63	0.56	0.62
1992	0.58	0.56	0.59
1991	0.58	0.54	0.54

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Eligible for

100%

40%

View Data

Free Lunch Eligibility Comparison Over Years (2004-2023)
Year	Desert Sands Academy Of Mass Communication & Journalism	Arizona	Cartwright Elementary District (4282) School District
2023	62%	39%	63%
2022	34%	29%	39%
2021	100%	42%	97%
2020	79%	43%	81%
2019	79%	43%	81%
2018	99%	42%	98%
2017	99%	42%	98%
2013	100%	37%	100%
2012	84%	36%	84%
2011	80%	36%	80%
2010	72%	38%	71%
2009	63%	39%	65%
2008	64%	29%	66%
2007	60%	32%	64%
2006	68%	37%	72%
2005	79%	40%	81%
2004	72%	37%	72%

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Eligible for

10%

View Data

Reduced-Price Lunch Eligibility Comparison Over Years (2005-2023)
Year	Desert Sands Academy Of Mass Communication & Journalism	Arizona	Cartwright Elementary District (4282) School District
2023	10%	7%	11%
2020	8%	7%	6%
2019	8%	7%	6%
2016	99%	11%	95%
2014	100%	14%	100%
2012	5%	11%	5%
2011	4%	10%	4%
2010	6%	8%	5%
2009	9%	10%	8%
2008	10%	9%	11%
2007	13%	9%	12%
2006	12%	8%	12%
2005	13%	8%	12%

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School Statewide Testing

School District Name

Cartwright Elementary District (4282) School District

Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), AZ Dept. of Education

Profile last updated: 02/09/2025

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Desert Sands Academy Of Mass Communication & Journalism's ranking?

Desert Sands Academy Of Mass Communication & Journalism is ranked #1737 out of 1,921 schools, which ranks it among the bottom 50% of public schools in Arizona.

What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?

9% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 34% AZ state average), while 19% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 40% AZ state average).

How many students attend Desert Sands Academy Of Mass Communication & Journalism?

518 students attend Desert Sands Academy Of Mass Communication & Journalism.

What is the racial composition of the student body?

85% of Desert Sands Academy Of Mass Communication & Journalism students are Hispanic, 8% of students are Black, 2% of students are American Indian, 2% of students are White, 2% of students are Two or more races, and 1% of students are Asian.

What is the student-teacher ratio of Desert Sands Academy Of Mass Communication & Journalism?

Desert Sands Academy Of Mass Communication & Journalism has a student ration of 18:1, which is higher than the Arizona state average of 17:1.

What grades does Desert Sands Academy Of Mass Communication & Journalism offer ?

Desert Sands Academy Of Mass Communication & Journalism offers enrollment in grades 6-8 (No virtual instruction).

What school district is Desert Sands Academy Of Mass Communication & Journalism part of?

Desert Sands Academy Of Mass Communication & Journalism is part of Cartwright Elementary District (4282) School District.

In what neighborhood is Desert Sands Academy Of Mass Communication & Journalism located?

Desert Sands Academy Of Mass Communication & Journalism is located in the Maryvale Village neighborhood of Phoenix, AZ. There are 65 other public schools located in Maryvale Village.