Desert Star School

Goodyear, AZ 85338

Phone: (623) 772-4600
Fax: (623) 772-4620
District: Avondale Elementary District

8

GreatSchools Rating

public • Grades PK,KG,1,2,3,4,5,6,7, • 635 students

Desert Star School, a public school located in Goodyear, AZ, serves grades PK-8 & Ungraded in the Avondale Elementary District.It has received a GreatSchools Rating of 8 out of 10, based on a variety of school quality measures.

Desert Star School is a public school located in Goodyear, AZ. 635 students attend Desert Star School.

School Ratings

Category Rating Details
Test Scores 5/10 The Test Score Rating examines how students at this school performed on standardized tests compared with other schools in the state. The Test Rating was created using 2025 Arizona Academic Standards Assessment data from Arizona Department of Education, and using 2025 Arizona Science Field Test data from Arizona Department of Education.
Student Growth 10/10 The Student Progress Rating measures whether students at this school are making academic progress over time based on student growth data provided by the Department of Education. Specifically, this rating looks at how much progress individual students have made on state assessments during the past year or more, how this performance aligns with expected progress based on a student growth model established by the state Department of Education, and how this school's growth data compares to other schools in the state. The Growth Rating was created using 2025 Student growth data from Arizona Department of Education.

Posted: April 21, 2021

My child has attended Desert star for the past 7 years, we have always received exceptional service at this school. The staff is amazing and the after school program has been very helpful in taking care of my child and keeping her safe when I cannot pick her up right after school. Teachers are caring and put in exceptional effort in their students learning and communicating with parents. Front office staff is always welcoming and helpful. I am thankful to the entire staff for their professionalism and helping my child succeed in life.

Posted: April 21, 2021

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Posted: May 3, 2017

Posted: May 3, 2017

Not one school in this district (outside of charter or private placement) is following 504s or IEPs.

Posted: May 3, 2017

Posted: May 3, 2017

Posted: May 3, 2017

Posted: May 3, 2017

Posted: May 3, 2017

I want to advise anyone who is considering placing their child into the Avondale Elementary School District to SERIOUSLY consider any other available option. To say what we have been through with a special needs child has been a nightmare would be an understatement. No child should ever be fearful of their school environment, teacher, or peers. Yet, that's exactly where we are. We continue to fight an uphill battle, even with the assistance of an outside advocate, to make sure our son receives the education and support that he has every right to have.

Posted: October 18, 2016

I have had 4 children attend Desert Star over the past 10 years and have always been pleased with the school's expectations of my kids. The have all excelled in a variety of areas and have gone on to high school well prepared and were able to excel there as well. We will always have fond memories of the great staff at Desert Star - especially Ms. Largent! Thank you for expecting the best from my kids!

Posted: May 31, 2015

Posted: May 31, 2015

Posted: May 31, 2015

The cafeteria has 6. Pillars of character painted on the walls. The kids receive awards based on these traits. The teachers encourage good character every day.

Posted: January 7, 2014

Desert School is a wonderful school. My son is excited to go to school each day. I'm very impressed with his progress. All of the teachers and staff are caring and concerned about all students.

Posted: October 19, 2013

Desert Star is an awesome school that really cares about their students! I have two children that attend Desert Star and their teachers work so hard to help them reach their goals and to be successful! They make learning fun and provide a safe comfortable place to learn.

Posted: October 9, 2013

I have two children that attend Desert Star. I love the friendly and warm atmosphere at the school and I believe it is a safe and nurturing environment for my children. Everyone is always friendly and helpful. I do wish they were offered more electives and that the class sizes were smaller, but overall, we have been very happy with Desert Star.

Posted: October 9, 2013

I have two children that attend Desert Star and our experience has been very positive. The teachers work very well together and my children are receiving an excellent education. Both of my children love to read and that is because Desert Star has made it enjoyable for them.

Posted: October 9, 2013

I have had all my 3 kids attend Desert Star and have always found the staff very helpful and outstanding. They go out of their way to make sure that my kids are cared for and are always checking in with me through emails, newsletters, phone calls as well as keeping their websites updated. I also love that I can check my kids grades on PowerSchool.

Posted: October 8, 2013

My two kids have been attending Desert Star for over 6 years. They both have had wonderful teachers who take the time to get to know them on a personal level. As the travel through the grades I notice the amount of rigor increasing. It is obvious that the teachers and all the staff work hard to make this school a great place to learn and grow.

Posted: October 7, 2013

My daughter LOVES Desert Star. She has an amazing teacher! The school maintains a strong focus on student achievement and offers many services for students. They have interventions during the day and after school. They also offer extracurricular clubs, sports, and activities. Parents are welcome to participate in many ways. The parent pick up runs smoothly now that it has been renovated.

Posted: October 7, 2013

At Desert Star, we work very hard to help students achieve academic success, as well as support them in other aspects of their lives. We are very open to parent and community involvement, especially if there are changes you'd like to see. Many staff members are proud bring our children here as well. We love Desert Star and want to help every child be successful.

Posted: October 7, 2013

My daughter has been in this school for two years and is now in 4th grade. Her teacher takes the time to understand my child's needs and keeps her challenged. The parent contact is consistent and I have found that any questions I have are answered quickly. The positive and supportive atmosphere is evident in my daughter's love to go to school.

Posted: October 6, 2013

I have two children attending Desert Star currently, one elementary and one middle school. I have been very impressed with all the teachers - they are extremely caring and professional. They maintain an "open door" policy when it comes to parent questions or concerns. They are always looking for additional ways to support and challenge my children. The staff is very friendly and respectful. I know I can rest easy when I send my kids off to school each day - they enjoy the school very much. Thank you to all the staff at Desert Star who seem to constantly strive to do better for all the kids in their care. It really does seem like they believe that every child is a "kid at hope."

Posted: January 14, 2013

My child went to this school, and I am so happy We switched him out! The teacher did not help him when he needed help, he was failing but in the report card he was doing good. His homework and spelling test said a different story,he was failing. This school is far behind and unorganized without a doubt!

Posted: May 25, 2011

Kindergarten teachers are rude and two faced. Our Teacher is always late and never responds to any phone messages. I have witnessed on at least one account the teacher raising her voice to the kindergarteners to a tone that very loud and very upsetting even to me as an adult. I do not want my child at this school but I'm currently stuck. This school will charge you 2 bucks to feed your kids Hot Pockets for lunch. My child came home one day starving so I asked about his meal. He informed me that they has a bread stick with cheese for lunch. Being concerned and thinking my child must've been mistaken I asked about the lunch and sure enough that's a meal to them. I asked about protein, etc. To which I got the answer of, "Well there's tuna on the salad bar." Really? You want a 5 year old to know that he should eat tuna with his bread sticks? I've seen teachers grabbing kids by the arms and drilling them about their destination. Yet 5 yr old my kid gets to sit on a wall in the sun all recess for hugging a kid. The teachers act like the Gestapo. "Where are your papers?!" "Tuck in your shirt!" Heaven knows the world will stop spinning if kids didn't tuck in their polo's. Fact.

Posted: July 15, 2009

Posted: September 25, 2007

Reviews provided by GreatSchools

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