- Sunset Ridge School — 0.9 mi · Grades PK–8 · 563 students
- Boulder Creek High School — 2.2 mi · Grades 7–12 · 2,221 students
- Anthem School — 2.4 mi · Grades PK–8 · 400 students
- Gavilan Peak School — 2.5 mi · Grades PK–8 · 473 students
- Diamond Canyon School — 2.5 mi · Grades PK–8 · 740 students
- Desert Mountain School — 3.1 mi · Grades PK–8 · 438 students
- Sonoran Foothills School — 3.5 mi · Grades PK–8 · 921 students
- Canyon Springs STEM Academy — 3.8 mi · Grades PK–8 · 805 students
with district
with district
| Metric | Deer Valley Unified District | National Average | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Enrollment | 33,199 | 3,544 | ↑ Larger than avg |
| Number of Schools | 41 | 7 | Varies by district |
| Per-Pupil Spending | $11,503/yr | $17,619/yr | ↓ 35% below avg |
| District Type | Charter School District | Public District | — |
| Overall Rating | 8/10 — Good | — | Above average |
| District | Rating | Percentile | Students |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deer Valley Unified District (this district) | 8/10 | 77th | 33,199 |
| Peoria Unified School District | 7/10 | 65th | 36,527 |
| Paradise Valley Unified District | 8/10 | 74th | 27,919 |
| Cave Creek Unified District | 9/10 | 82nd | 4,499 |
🔢 Show the math behind this rating
Ranked against 492 rated districts in AZ → 77th percentile → 8/10.
Source: Arizona Dept. of Education AASA/ACT/MSAA combined assessments, Percent Passing, 2025. Full methodology →
About Deer Valley Unified District
Families in zip code 85086 (Phoenix, Arizona) are assigned to Deer Valley Unified District for public education through 12th. This overview covers the district’s funding levels, scale, rating, and what to expect from the enrollment process if you’re moving to or within this zip code.
Understanding the 8/10 Rating
Deer Valley Unified District has earned an overall SchoolDistrictFinder rating of 8/10, placing it in the above average tier. Our ratings are based on state assessment results — the share of students scoring proficient or above in reading and math, as reported in Arizona’s AASA/ACT/MSAA combined assessments (2025 school year). We average each district’s reading and math proficiency, then rank it against other districts in the same state to produce a 1–10 score. Because Arizona is compared only against itself, the rating reflects how this district performs relative to its in-state peers.
Deer Valley Unified District earns an above-average rating, with reading and math proficiency rates stronger than most other districts in Arizona. Above-average districts generally show solid and consistent academic results across their schools. Families considering this area will find a district with meaningful academic strengths. Research the specific schools assigned to your address — even above-average districts have variation between individual buildings.
Enrollment for Families in Zip Code 85086
Children in zip code 85086 are assigned to Deer Valley Unified District for public school enrollment, covering grades Pre-K – 12th. School assignments are address-specific — your elementary, middle, and high school placements depend on your exact street address within zip code 85086, not just your neighborhood. Two homes on opposite ends of the same zip code may be assigned to different schools within the same district.
To confirm your specific school assignments, contact Deer Valley Unified District at (623)445-5000 or visit dvusd.org. Typical enrollment documents include proof of residency (lease or deed plus a utility bill), your child’s birth certificate, current immunization records, and prior school records. If your child has an IEP or 504 plan, bring that documentation to enrollment — Arizona districts are required to continue services within a reasonable period. Fall enrollment windows typically open in late winter or early spring; contact the district for exact dates and required steps.
School Districts and Home Values in Phoenix
School district quality is one of the most consistent factors in residential home pricing. Because Deer Valley Unified District serves zip code 85086, homes in and around zip code 85086 often carry a measurable premium over comparable properties in adjacent lower-rated districts. District boundaries are address-specific — verify the exact district assignment for any property you’re seriously considering rather than assuming based on the neighborhood. A single block can place two adjacent homes in different districts with different ratings and different annual property tax implications.
Use the property tax estimator on this page to calculate estimated annual tax obligations based on your target purchase price. In Arizona, property taxes are a primary funding source for public schools — your tax payments directly support Deer Valley Unified District programs and staff. Understanding both district quality and the associated tax burden is essential financial due diligence before committing to any home in zip code 85086.
Data Sources and Accuracy
All district information on this page is sourced from the NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) 2024–2025, the U.S. Department of Education’s annual census of all public school districts — the same dataset used by researchers, journalists, and policymakers to analyze American public education. District boundaries, school assignments and phone numbers are updated annually when NCES publishes new data, typically in spring; per-pupil spending comes from the US Census Bureau's Annual Survey of School System Finances, released about two years after the fiscal year it covers. Always verify your specific school assignment and enrollment requirements directly with Deer Valley Unified District before making any housing or enrollment decision based on zip code 85086 data.