Desert Canyon Elementary School

Public | K-5 | 730 students |  

PHONE: (480) 484-1700

FAX: (480) 484-4601

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10203 E McDowell Mountain Ranch

Scottsdale, AZ 85255

Maricopa County | Map

Scottsdale Unified District

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Desert Canyon Elementary School, located in Scottsdale, Arizona, serves grades K-5 in the Scottsdale Unified District. It is among the few public elementary schools in Arizona to receive a distinguished GreatSchools Rating of 10 out of 10.

This school has an average Community Rating of 4 out of 5 stars, based on reviews from 33 school community members.

Learn more about this school's teachers and students.

School highlights:

Academic contests; Band; Basketball
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Recent Reviews

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Community Rating

Read all 26 reviews
  • Principal leadership
  • Teacher quality
  • Parent involvement
Posted on Feb 13, 2012
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I have 4 kids attending this school and have been very pleased. Except for 2 teachers in our 6 years there, all the teachers have been outstanding. The 2 bad teachers were fine academically but were mean to the students. They have both been teaching too long and should be retired, but I think you will find a few teachers like that anywhere. The parents are really involved and the administration is good. The vice principal is on top of bullying issues and other problems but is fair and friendly. I highly recommend Desert Canyon Elementary!
--Submitted by a parent

Posted on Sep 20, 2010
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My son started Kindergarten at DCES this fall. He absolutely loves his teacher and enjoys going to school. As a parent, I am unsatisfied with the class size this year. Right now DCES Kindergarten has 25 in each class and could go to 27. In addition, they have eliminated instructional assistants from the classrooms. If my child will be in a class of up to 30 kids in coming grades, I will be looking into charter or private school options.
--Submitted by a parent

Posted on Oct 30, 2009
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I am surprised with a few posts here. To each his own... but I find my children's school and staff excellent. The principal has tough rules, but to me that is great! The teachers thus far have been terrific. I am very pleased and my children are happy, and thriving! Thank you DCES staff!
--Submitted by a parent

Posted on Oct 21, 2009
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Excellent, caring teachers!!!!
--Submitted by a parent

Posted on Oct 12, 2009
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Desert Canyon Elementary has a very diverse teaching program, including special needs classes for kids with learning disabilities and kids with ADD/ADHD that require more 1:1 attention. All this in addition to providing extracurricular activities/afterschool activities that help to broaden and enhance the children's self-esteem/knowledge (band, Spanish, Chess, monthly ball sports, tennis, science, etc.).
--Submitted by a parent

Posted on Jun 17, 2009
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I have not been pleased with this school. The principal and assist. principal are terrible. They do not care about the parents, teachers or students. They really don't relate well. While I have had some great teachers in the past, this year my 2nd grade daughter was bored every day and wanted to know why she kept learning the same things over and over and my older son had a terrible teacher who was just not nice at all (and this is not a trouble maker). Watch the 10 rating, they should be an 8. Parent involvement is super though.
--Submitted by a parent

Posted on Jun 8, 2009
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This was my childrens' first year in Desert Canyon (we moved here from NY) and I was thrilled with the school. They too were thrilled with their experience. They just finished first grade and had really wonderful, nurturing teachers that helped them to grow emotionally, socially and intellectually this year. I have nothing but good things to say about the school so far.
--Submitted by a parent

Posted on Jan 27, 2009
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good educators not so good loving and caring for children.

Posted on Feb 29, 2008
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Very pleased with the teachers, and staff, my only complaint at this time, is the sand. My child comes home with half the playground in her shoes, as I'm sure your kids do too. Are there any plans on removing the sand, and replacing it with rubberized material? Also, the sand hides things, such as the 3 inch nail I found poking up by the swings on the first day of school.
--Submitted by a parent

Posted on Dec 20, 2007
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Awesome school, dedicated teachers and a principal who really cares. I couldn't ask for more.
--Submitted by a parent


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