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Average

#1483 of 2,000 schools in AZ

Desert Edge High School

High School · Agua Fria Union High School District (4289)

15778 W YUMA RD, Goodyear, AZ 85338

Enrollment

2,051

Student-Teacher

23.3:1

Score

5.3

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Goodyear

#11 of 15

public schools

Arizona high schools

#327 of 429

In district

#5 of 5

Agua Fria Union High School District (4289)

Academic performance

7.2 / 10

Strong

About Desert Edge High School

Desert Edge High School serves 2,051 students in grades 9-12 in Goodyear, Arizona, operating with a student-teacher ratio of 23.3:1 across 88 full-time equivalent teachers. This regular public high school ranks in the 52nd percentile among Arizona high schools, placing #971 out of 2,029 schools statewide with a MySchoolScout rating of 5.6 out of 10. Academically, Desert Edge shows room for growth, with 38% of students performing proficient or above in English Language Arts and 44% reaching proficiency in mathematics.

The school's academic score of 6.9 out of 10 reflects ongoing efforts to strengthen student achievement across all grade levels. The school draws from an established suburban community where families enjoy financial stability, with a median household income of $93,435 and median home values of $365,500. The surrounding 85338 ZIP code area houses nearly 61,000 residents, with 30% holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a low poverty rate of just 5.7%.

Desert Edge High School sits in Goodyear's large suburban landscape, serving a community that values education and economic opportunity in one of Arizona's growing metropolitan areas.

What Parents Should Know

Desert Edge High School is a large school with 2,051 students enrolled. Larger schools typically offer a wider range of academic programs, electives, and extracurricular activities. Parents may want to ask about how the school maintains a sense of community and ensures students don't get lost in the crowd.

The student-teacher ratio at Desert Edge High School is 23.3:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress6.7Above Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2.63 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics7.2Very Good25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency44%
Reading/ELA Proficiency38%
Overall Proficiency41%
Expected (poverty-adj.)45%
vs. Expected-3.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile58th
College Readiness3.3Fair30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation11.8%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment4.4Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio23.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$9,930

Desert Edge High School — Students at Desert Edge High School score 41% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

0.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores AZ EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 41.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 36.3%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from AZ state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
57%
ELA
37%
2021*
Math
23%
ELA
34%
2022
Math
44%
ELA
38%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 6.7/10.

How Desert Edge High School Compares

See how Desert Edge High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.3/10
26th percentile in AZ
Academic
7.2/10
7.2/10
Growth
6.7/10
Above average
Environment
4.4/10
Below average

Location

15778 W YUMA RD, Goodyear, AZ 85338

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Desert Edge High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Great Hearts Academies - Trivium Prep (rated 7.3/10, 2.6 miles away, in nearby Phoenix), which scores notably higher. Additionally, BASIS Goodyear (rated 5.4/10, 0.2 miles away, in nearby Scottsdale), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Goodyear, see our Goodyear schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.0 mi
School Distance Rating
West-MEC - Desert Edge High School Goodyear 0.0 mi
BASIS Goodyear Scottsdale 0.2 mi 5.4
BASIS Goodyear Primary Scottsdale 0.2 mi 3.4
Wildflower Accelerated Academy Goodyear 0.6 mi 6.9
Desert Star Goodyear 0.7 mi 7.5
Centerra Mirage STEM Academy Goodyear 0.8 mi 5.1
Legacy Traditional School - Goodyear Goodyear 1.0 mi 3.7
WEST VALLEY CHRISTAIN SCHOOL Goodyear 1.1 mi 6.0
PALM VALLEY MONTESSORI L L C Goodyear 1.2 mi 8.2
Incito Schools Goodyear 1.3 mi 6.0
Copper Trails Goodyear 1.3 mi 5.3
Somerset Academy Skyway Campus Goodyear 1.5 mi 7.8
Desert Thunder Goodyear 1.7 mi 6.8
The Odyssey Preparatory Academy Goodyear Buckeye 2.2 mi 4.6
Great Hearts Academies - Archway Trivium Phoenix 2.6 mi 7.2
Great Hearts Academies - Trivium Prep Phoenix 2.6 mi 7.3
Lattie Coor Avondale 2.7 mi 3.6
Michael Anderson Avondale 2.8 mi 5.6
ST JOHN VIANNEY CATHOLIC SCHOOL Goodyear 2.8 mi 4.4
MONTESSORI IN THE PARK Goodyear 3.0 mi 6.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 85338 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$99,345

Median Home Value

$396,100

Median Rent

$1,822/mo

Population

64,448

College Educated

32.2%

Homeownership

76.1%

Avg Commute

31.1 min

Poverty Rate

6.1%

Median Age

37.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding Desert Edge High School has a median household income of $99,345. It is an area where 32% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $396,100, with a median rent of $1,822/month. The local poverty rate of 6.1% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 31 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Kofa High School Yuma, AZ 5.3
Marcos De Niza High School Tempe, AZ 5.3
Prescott High School Prescott, AZ 5.3
Thunderbird High School Phoenix, AZ 5.3
BROPHY COLLEGE PREPARATORY Phoenix, AZ 5.2
Greenway High School Phoenix, AZ 5.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Desert Edge High School

What grades does Desert Edge High School serve?

Desert Edge High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Desert Edge High School?

Desert Edge High School has an enrollment of approximately 2,051 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Desert Edge High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Desert Edge High School is 23.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Desert Edge High School rank in AZ?

Desert Edge High School is ranked #1483 out of 2,000 schools in AZ.

What is Desert Edge High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Desert Edge High School has a composite rating of 5.3 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Desert Edge High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Desert Edge High School has 41.3% math proficiency and 36.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Desert Edge High School a charter school?

No, Desert Edge High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Desert Edge High School a Title I school?

No, Desert Edge High School is not currently a Title I school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
29 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
35 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (1,654/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Goodyear). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
2,051
Student-Teacher Ratio
23.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
88
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Maricopa County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Agua Fria Union High School District (4289)
District Enrollment
9,855
Schools in District
6
Per-Pupil Spending
$10,525
District Rank
#5 of 5

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

Related reading

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