School Overview
Desert Canyon Middle School (DCMS), located in the McDowell Mountain Ranch community of Scottsdale, Arizona, is a highly regarded public school serving students in grades 6 through 8. As part of the Scottsdale Unified School District, the school is well-known for its commitment to academic excellence, providing a comprehensive curriculum that balances core subjects with a wide array of elective offerings. The campus is designed to support a collaborative learning environment, focusing on preparing students for the transition to high school through a blend of rigorous instruction and personal development.

Beyond academics, Desert Canyon Middle School places a strong emphasis on community engagement and student well-being. The school hosts numerous extracurricular activities, including competitive sports, performing arts programs, and various student-led clubs, which encourage students to explore their interests and develop leadership skills outside the classroom. With a dedicated staff and a supportive parent-teacher organization, DCMS maintains a positive school culture that prioritizes character development and social-emotional growth, making it a cornerstone of the local Scottsdale community.
490
Total Students
29.8
Full-Time Teachers
16.4
Student/Teacher Ratio
N/A
Free/Reduced Lunch
Student Demographics

Student Demographics Data Table

Student Demographics for Desert Canyon Middle School
Demographic Student Count
White353
Hispanic64
Black18
Asian36
Two or More13
American Indian6
  • White
    353 (72.0 %)
  • Hispanic
    64 (13.1 %)
  • Asian
    36 (7.3 %)
  • Black
    18 (3.7 %)
  • Two or More
    13 (2.7 %)
  • American Indian
    6 (1.2 %)
School Location
School Details
Status: Open
School Level: Middle School
School Type: Regular School
Charter Status:* Public Non-Charter
Virtual Instruction: No virtual instruction
Shared Time Status: No
District: Scottsdale Unified District (4240)
Phone: (480)484-4600
Website: http://www.susd.org/dcms
Grade Range: 6th - 8th
Total Students: 490
Full-Time Teachers (FTE): 29.8
Pupil/Teacher Ratio: 16.4
NSLP Participation:1 Yes participating without using any Provision or the CEO
Qualified Free Lunch: 0
Qualified Reduced Lunch: 0
Grades Taught
Grade 6 149
Grade 7 158
Grade 8 183

Grades Taught Data Table

Grades Taught and Student Counts for Desert Canyon Middle School
Grade Student Count
Grade 6149
Grade 7158
Grade 8183
Gender Ratio

Student Gender Ratio Data Table

Student Gender Ratio for Desert Canyon Middle School
Gender Student Count Percentage
Female24049%
Male25051%
Nearby Middle Schools (Within 10 Miles)