Average
#670 of 2,000 schools in AZ
Top 34% in state
Desert Hills High School
High School · American Charter Schools Foundation d.b.a. Desert (79872)
1515 S VAL VISTA DR, Gilbert, AZ 85296
Enrollment
245
Score
6.9
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
245
Score
6.9
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Gilbert
#38 of 62
public schools
Arizona high schools
#121 of 429
Academic growth
9.7 / 10
Exceptional
About Desert Hills High School
Desert Hills High School is an alternative high school located in Gilbert, Arizona, in a large city setting. The school serves 245 students in grades 9 through 12. As a charter school, Desert Hills High offers a unique educational experience tailored to meet the needs of its diverse student body.
The school's MySchoolScout rating is 4.2 out of 10, reflecting its state ranking of 27th percentile out of 2029 schools in Arizona. Academically, 24% of students are proficient or above in both English Language Arts and Math, indicating areas where the school is focusing on student development and growth. The school is situated in a neighborhood with a median household income of $112,832 and a median home value of $436,600.
The area is home to a college-educated population, with 48% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher, and a low poverty rate of 4.6%. Desert Hills High School is part of a community that values education and offers a supportive environment for students to thrive.
What Parents Should Know
Desert Hills High School is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Desert Hills High School — Students at Desert Hills High School score 24% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 38%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
0.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores AZ EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 test records from AZ state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 9.7/10.
How Desert Hills High School Compares
See how Desert Hills High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 12% (2019) to 24.5% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 22% (2019) to 24.5% (2022).
Location
1515 S VAL VISTA DR, Gilbert, AZ 85296
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Desert Hills High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Gilbert High School (rated 8.4/10, 1.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Williams Field High School (rated 8.3/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Gilbert, see our Gilbert schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Benjamin Franklin Charter School - Gilbert Gilbert | 0.0 mi | 7.1 |
| Ashland Elementary Gilbert | 0.8 mi | 9.2 |
| SPONDEO PRESCHOOL Gilbert | 1.4 mi | — |
| Leading Edge Academy Online Gilbert | 1.2 mi | 5.7 |
| South Valley Jr. High Gilbert | 1.4 mi | 8.0 |
| Spectrum Elementary Gilbert | 1.6 mi | 9.2 |
| Mesquite Elementary School Gilbert | 1.6 mi | 7.3 |
| Finley Farms Elementary Gilbert | 1.6 mi | 8.7 |
| GILBERT CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS Gilbert | 1.6 mi | 5.8 |
| Settlers Point Elementary Gilbert | 1.6 mi | 8.0 |
| Gilbert High School Gilbert | 1.9 mi | 8.4 |
| EVIT - Gilbert High School Gilbert | 1.9 mi | — |
| Greenfield Junior High School Gilbert | 2.1 mi | 7.3 |
| American Leadership Academy Gilbert North K-12 Chandler | 1.9 mi | 5.7 |
| Kaizen Education Foundation dba Gilbert Arts Academy Gilbert | 2.1 mi | 3.8 |
| GPS Global Academy Gilbert | 2.2 mi | 6.2 |
| Greenfield Elementary School Gilbert | 2.2 mi | 7.6 |
| Williams Field High School Gilbert | 2.0 mi | 8.3 |
| American Leadership Academy Gilbert K-6 Gilbert | 2.3 mi | 6.5 |
| LIFE - LAUREN'S INSTITUTE FOR EDUCATION Gilbert | 2.0 mi | 5.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 85296 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$117,120
Median Home Value
$496,200
Median Rent
$2,141/mo
Population
52,058
College Educated
49.1%
Homeownership
70.7%
Avg Commute
25.5 min
Poverty Rate
4.7%
Median Age
35.4
Community Profile
The community surrounding Desert Hills High School has a median household income of $117,120. It is a well-educated community where 49% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $496,200, with a median rent of $2,141/month. The local poverty rate of 4.7% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 26 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 |
|---|---|
| A+ Charter Schools Maricopa, AZ | 6.9 |
| Bagdad Middle / Senior High School Bagdad, AZ | 6.9 |
| Desert View Middle & High School Yuma, AZ | 6.9 |
| Phoenix Coding Academy Phoenix, AZ | 6.9 |
| AAEC - Paradise Valley Phoenix, AZ | 7.0 |
| ASU Preparatory Academy - Casa Grande HS Casa Grande, AZ | 7.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Desert Hills High School
What grades does Desert Hills High School serve?
Desert Hills High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Desert Hills High School?
Desert Hills High School has an enrollment of approximately 245 students.
How does Desert Hills High School rank in AZ?
Desert Hills High School is ranked #670 out of 2,000 schools in AZ.
What is Desert Hills High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Desert Hills High School has a composite rating of 6.9 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 Hills High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Desert Hills High School has 15.5% math proficiency and 18.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Desert Hills High School a charter school?
Yes, Desert Hills High School is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.
Is Desert Hills High School a Title I school?
No, Desert Hills High School is not currently a Title I school.
Neighborhood Context
- Walk Score
- 63 Somewhat Walkable
- Transit Score
- 0 Minimal Transit
- Bike Score
- 54 Bikeable
- City Safety
- Elevated (1,104/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Gilbert). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 245
- Type
- alternative
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Maricopa County
- Phone
- (480) 813-1151
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
American Charter Schools Foundation d.b.a. Desert (79872)- District Enrollment
- 245
- Schools in District
- 1
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,330
- District Rank
- #1 of 1
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 methodologyRelated reading
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