• Welcome to Desert Canyon Elementary School

    At Desert Canyon Elementary, we empower each student to be a lifelong learner and responsible citizen in our global community.

  • DCES Mountain Lion Cubs

    Principal: Kimberly Mills
    Assistant Principal: Erin Scagnelli
    Address: 10203 E. McDowell Mountain Ranch Road
    Phone: 480-484-1700
    Fax: 480-484-4602
    Office Hours: 7:30 am - 3:30 pm
    School Hours: 8:45am - 3:15pm 
    Grades: 3(s) - 5th Grade
    Colors: Blue and Silver
    Mascot: Mountain Lion Cubs
    Year Opened: 1998

PTO Information

  • *This link will take you to a site over which the Scottsdale Unified School District has no control. The District assumes no responsibility for the content of the material contained at that site or for the accuracy of any information that is found there. The contents of any site or link not maintained by the District does not necessarily reflect the opinions, standards or policies of the Scottsdale Unified School District, its officials, agents or employees.

    Click here to view the PTO Website

Visitors & Volunteers

  • Parents who are scheduled to volunteer on campus are required to sign in at the front office, provide ID, and wear a visitor sticker any time they are on campus. Other adult visitors must make arrangements with the front office to visit our campus. Student visitor are not permitted.

Principal Kimberly Mills

  • Principal Kimberly MillsPhone: 480-484-1710  
    Email: kmills@susd.org

    Administrative Support Coordinator  
    Shelley Gilbert
    480-484-1702

    Mrs. Kimberly Mills is the proud principal of Desert Canyon Elementary School. She is beginning her 19th year in education and 4th year leading Desert Canyon Elementary. She is honored to have the opportunity to lead a school with such a tradition of educational excellence and parental involvement. Prior to becoming principal of Desert Canyon Elementary, she served as the assistant principal at Pima Elementary School, as well as a Positive Behavior Intervention Support (PBIS) Coach. Mrs. Mills led schools in designing and implementing positive behavior programs to impact students' academic and social/emotional growth. Mrs. Mills' passion for serving students stems from her 11 years in a classroom, teaching 1st, 2nd, 4th and 5th grades.

    Mrs. Mills is a native of Arizona and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education and a Masters of Education in Principal Leadership from Arizona State University. Mrs. Mills believes in having a solid partnership between parents and staff, and understanding that it takes a village to raise a child.  She values the support and crucial role families have alongside staff in ensuring high student achievement and personal success for every child. As a mother of two school-aged children, she understands the impact of the home-school connection and the importance of working as a team to ensure students receive the best education every day. As the instructional leader, she will ensure that Desert Canyon Elementary maintains its tradition of excellence and continues to show social-emotional and academic growth in all areas.

Assistant Principal Erin Scagnelli