Desert View Elementary ranked #1 in Yuma County

Each year in Arizona, schools are graded on a scale of A to F by the state’s Department of Education (ADE).

This year, nine elementary schools in Yuma County received an ‘A’ letter grade, with Desert View Elementary in San Luis ranking number one among the county’s elementary schools. Meredith Nelson is the principal of the Desert View E lementary school in San Luis.

In her nine years as principal, the school has received an ‘A’ letter grade for five consecutive years.

The grades are based on the AZ Merit test scores.

Nelson explained, ” The AZ Merit scores are based on third through six grade students. All of them take the test in language arts and math. Fourth graders also in science. ”

After tabulating all of those scores for proficiency, growth, and acceleration, Desert View earned 90.78% out of 100.

This year they came out as number one in Yuma County.

” We’re very consistent with our staff, curriculum, our professional development. We have a vision, and we don’t water from that vision, ” said Nelson.

Despite continuous funding cuts from the state, the border town school has almost 700 students enrolled, and there are plenty of parents anxiously waiting for an open seat for their child.

” What we can control is what we can teach them, how we make them feel, and the opportunities that we give them, ” Nelson told News 11.

Students have access to opportunities such as college courses, test prep, and tutoring.

The school’s motto is the race for excellence has no finish line and Mrs. Nelson believes excellence isn’t only measured by a letter grade.

She said, “I think the biggest factor is when they come in these doors, they feel loved, they feel safe, and they know that their teachers have high expectations but lots of support to give to them.”

One of the ways Desert View Elementary will be celebrating their five big A’s is with a spirit week featuring themed dress-up days and special lunch menu’s for their students.