Desert Thunder

16750 W Garfield St
Goodyear, AZ 85338
(School attendance zone shown in map)
7/
10
Top 50%
Serving 886 students in grades Prekindergarten-8, Desert Thunder ranks in the top 50% of all schools in Arizona for overall test scores (math proficiency is top 50%, and reading proficiency is top 50%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 42% (which is higher than the Arizona state average of 35%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 46% (which is higher than the Arizona state average of 40%).
The student:teacher ratio of 20:1 is higher than the Arizona state level of 17:1.
Minority enrollment is 77% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is higher than the Arizona state average of 65% (majority Hispanic).

Quick Stats (2024)

  • Grades: Prekindergarten-8
  • Enrollment: 886 students
  • Student:Teacher Ratio: 20:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 77%
  • : Top 50% in AZ
  • : 42% (Top 50%)
  • : 46% (Top 50%)
  • : 32% (Top 30%)
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), AZ Dept. of Education

School Overview

Desert Thunder's student population of 886 students has grown by 14% over five school years.
The teacher population of 45 teachers has grown by 25% over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades Prekindergarten-8
Total Students
886 students
This chart displays total students of Desert Thunder by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
Gender %
This chart displays gender of Desert Thunder
Total Classroom Teachers
45 teachers
This chart displays the total teachers of Desert Thunder by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
Students by Grade
This chart displays the students of Desert Thunder by grade.

School Rankings

Desert Thunder ranks within the top 50% of all 1,956 schools in Arizona (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Desert Thunder is 0.60, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.65. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
This School
State Level (AZ)
#656 out of 1956 schools
(Top 50%)
This chart displays the overall school rank of Desert Thunder, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
42%
35%
This chart displays the percentage of students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Math of Desert Thunder and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Math of public schools in Arizona by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
46%
40%
This chart displays the percentage of students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Reading/Language Arts of Desert Thunder and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Reading/Language Arts of Arizona by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
32%
24%
Student : Teacher Ratio
20:1
17:1
This chart displays the student teacher ratio of Desert Thunder and the public school average student teacher ratio of Arizona by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
American Indian
1%
5%
This chart displays the percentage of American Indian students in Desert Thunder and percentage of American Indian public school students in Arizona by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
Asian
2%
3%
This chart displays the percentage of Asian students in Desert Thunder and the percentage of Asian public school students in Arizona by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
Hispanic
58%
47%
This chart displays the percentage of Hispanic students in Desert Thunder and the percentage of Hispanic public school students in Arizona by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
Black
14%
6%
This chart displays the percentage of Black students in Desert Thunder and the percentage of Black public school students in Arizona by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
White
23%
35%
This chart displays the percentage of White students in Desert Thunder and the percentage of White public school students in Arizona by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
Two or more races
2%
4%
This chart displays the percentage of students of two or more races in Desert Thunder and the percentage of public school students of two or more races in Arizona by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
All Ethnic Groups
This chart displays the percentage breakdown of students of all ethnic groups in Desert Thunder.
This chart displays the percentage breakdown of public school students of all ethnic groups in Arizona.
0.60
This chart displays the diversity score of Desert Thunder and the public school average diversity score of Arizona by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
Eligible for Free Lunch
20%
29%
This chart displays the percentage of students who is eligible for free lunch in Desert Thunder and the percentage of public school students who is eligible for free lunch in Arizona by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
Eligible for Reduced Lunch (20-21)
1%
9%
This chart displays the percentage of students who is eligible for reduced lunch in Desert Thunder and the percentage of public school students who is eligible for reduced lunch in Arizona by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), AZ Dept. of Education

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Desert Thunder's ranking?
Desert Thunder is ranked #656 out of 1,956 schools, which ranks it among the top 50% of public schools in Arizona.
What schools are Desert Thunder often compared to?
Desert Thunderis often viewed alongside schools like Copper Trails by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
42% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 35% AZ state average), while 46% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 40% AZ state average).
How many students attend Desert Thunder?
886 students attend Desert Thunder.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
58% of Desert Thunder students are Hispanic, 23% of students are White, 14% of students are Black, 2% of students are Asian, 2% of students are Two or more races, and 1% of students are American Indian.
What is the student:teacher ratio of Desert Thunder?
Desert Thunder has a student ration of 20:1, which is higher than the Arizona state average of 17:1.
What grades does Desert Thunder offer ?
Desert Thunder offers enrollment in grades Prekindergarten-8
What school district is Desert Thunder part of?
In what neighborhood is Desert Thunder located?
Desert Thunder is located in the Canyon Trails neighborhood of Goodyear, AZ. There are 1 other public schools located in Canyon Trails.

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Quick Stats (2024)

  • Grades: Prekindergarten-8
  • Enrollment: 886 students
  • Student:Teacher Ratio: 20:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 77%
  • : Top 50%
  • : 42% (Top 50%)
  • : 46% (Top 50%)
  • : 32% (Top 30%)
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), AZ Dept. of Education

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