Excellent
#54 of 2,000 schools in AZ
Top 3% in state
Desert Mountain High School
High School · Scottsdale Unified District (4240)
12575 E. Via Linda, Scottsdale, AZ 85259
Enrollment
1,940
Student-Teacher
20.9:1
Score
8.8
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,940
Student-Teacher
20.9:1
Score
8.8
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Scottsdale
#1 of 5
public schools
Arizona high schools
#4 of 429
In district
#4 of 30
Scottsdale Unified District (4240)
Academic performance
9.8 / 10
Exceptional
About Desert Mountain High School
Desert Mountain High School is a public high school in Scottsdale, AZ, part of the Scottsdale Unified District (4240). The school serves approximately 1,940 students in grades 9th – 12th with a student-teacher ratio of 20.9:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.8/10, placing it in the 97.4th percentile among AZ schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 69% proficiency in math and 64% in reading/language arts. The school scores particularly well in student growth (9.4/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $145,574, where 69% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a midsize city setting.
What's said publicly about Desert Mountain High School
Synthesized from public, attributable sources. Updated May 2026. Reviewed for accuracy.
Sources (3)
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Desert Mountain High School is 20.9:1, 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 metricsView breakdown
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Desert Mountain High School — Students at Desert Mountain High School score 79% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 48%).
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: 9.4/10.
How Desert Mountain High School Compares
See how Desert Mountain High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2020-21 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 78% (2019) to 81% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 67% (2019) to 77% (2022).
Location
12575 E. Via Linda, Scottsdale, AZ 85259
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Desert Mountain High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. SCOTTSDALE CHILD CARE AND LEARNING CENTER (rated 9.0/10, 4.3 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Cheyenne Traditional School (rated 8.3/10, 3.6 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Desert Canyon Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 4.0 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Scottsdale, see our Scottsdale schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 4.6 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 85259 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$145,574
Median Home Value
$956,300
Median Rent
$1,769/mo
Population
22,156
College Educated
68.6%
Homeownership
77.5%
Avg Commute
24.7 min
Poverty Rate
3.9%
Median Age
52
Community Profile
The community surrounding Desert Mountain High School has a median household income of $145,574. It is a well-educated community where 69% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $956,300, with a median rent of $1,769/month. The local poverty rate of 3.9% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 25 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 |
|---|---|
| Perry High School Gilbert, AZ | 8.9 |
| Saguaro High School Scottsdale, AZ | 8.7 |
| Arizona College Prep High School Chandler, AZ | 8.5 |
| Cactus Shadows High School Cave Creek, AZ | 8.5 |
| Horizon High School Scottsdale, AZ | 8.5 |
| Paradise Valley High School Phoenix, AZ | 8.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Desert Mountain High School
What grades does Desert Mountain High School serve?
Desert Mountain High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Desert Mountain High School?
Desert Mountain High School has an enrollment of approximately 1,940 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Desert Mountain High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Desert Mountain High School is 20.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Desert Mountain High School rank in AZ?
Desert Mountain High School is ranked #54 out of 2,000 schools in AZ.
What is Desert Mountain High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Desert Mountain High School has a composite rating of 8.8 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 Mountain High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Desert Mountain High School has 69.3% math proficiency and 63.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Desert Mountain High School a charter school?
No, Desert Mountain High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Desert Mountain High School a Title I school?
No, Desert Mountain High School is not currently a Title I school.
Neighborhood Context
- Walk Score
- 6 Car-Dependent
- Transit Score
- 0 Minimal Transit
- Bike Score
- 31 Somewhat Bikeable
- City Safety
- High (2,031/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Scottsdale). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 1,940
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 20.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 93
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Maricopa County
- Phone
- (480) 484-7000
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Scottsdale Unified District (4240)- District Enrollment
- 20,940
- Schools in District
- 30
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,306
- District Rank
- #4 of 30
Other Schools in This District
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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