Average
#684 of 2,000 schools in AZ
Top 34% in state
Desert Ridge High
High School · Gilbert Unified District (4239)
10045 E MADERO AVE, Mesa, AZ 85209
Enrollment
2,222
Student-Teacher
20.2:1
Score
6.9
Grades
8th – 12th
Enrollment
2,222
Student-Teacher
20.2:1
Score
6.9
Grades
8th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Mesa
#32 of 119
public schools
Arizona high schools
#126 of 429
In district
#29 of 38
Gilbert Unified District (4239)
Academic growth
9.3 / 10
Exceptional
About Desert Ridge High
Desert Ridge High serves 2,222 students in grades 8-12 in Mesa, Arizona, earning a solid 7.3 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating. This large public high school ranks #371 out of 2,029 Arizona schools, placing it in the 82nd percentile statewide with an impressive 8.4 academic score. Students demonstrate strong performance in both core subjects, with 58% achieving proficiency or above in mathematics and 54% meeting or exceeding standards in English Language Arts and reading.
The school maintains a 20.2:1 student-teacher ratio with 110 full-time equivalent teachers serving the diverse student body. Desert Ridge High draws families from the 85209 ZIP code area, a stable community where the median household income reaches $75,808 and median home values sit at $327,700. The neighborhood reflects an educated population, with 32% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher, while maintaining a low poverty rate of just 7.1%.
Located on East Madero Avenue, Desert Ridge High operates within Mesa's large city environment, providing students with both suburban community feel and urban opportunities. The school serves a well-established area of Maricopa County that attracts families seeking quality education in a prosperous, family-oriented setting.
What Parents Should Know
Desert Ridge High is a large school with 2,222 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 Ridge High is 20.2:1, 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 Ridge High — Students at Desert Ridge High score 56% 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: 9.3/10.
How Desert Ridge High Compares
See how Desert Ridge High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 51% (2019) to 58% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 51% (2019) to 54% (2022).
Location
10045 E MADERO AVE, Mesa, AZ 85209
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Desert Ridge High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Skyline High School (rated 6.2/10, 2.0 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Eastmark High School (rated 5.8/10, 3.4 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Mesa, see our Mesa schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Desert Ridge Jr. High Mesa | 0.3 mi | 6.6 |
| Augusta Ranch Elementary Mesa | 0.8 mi | 8.5 |
| Canyon Rim Elementary Mesa | 0.9 mi | 8.9 |
| Legacy Traditional School - East Mesa Chandler | 1.0 mi | 4.2 |
| Imagine East Mesa Elementary Phoenix | 1.5 mi | 3.2 |
| Imagine East Mesa Middle Phoenix | 1.5 mi | 7.5 |
| Skyline High School Mesa | 2.0 mi | 6.2 |
| EVIT - Skyline High School Mesa | 2.0 mi | — |
| Stevenson Elementary School Mesa | 2.3 mi | 3.5 |
| Patterson Elementary Mesa | 2.4 mi | 5.2 |
| Meridian Mesa | 2.3 mi | 8.7 |
| Sequoia Pathfinder Academy at Eastmark Mesa | 3.0 mi | 7.6 |
| Brinton Elementary Mesa | 2.7 mi | 4.9 |
| Boulder Creek Elementary Mesa | 2.6 mi | 8.1 |
| BASIS Mesa Mesa | 3.2 mi | 5.6 |
| American Leadership Academy Mesa K-6 Chandler | 3.0 mi | 8.0 |
| Eastmark High School Mesa | 3.4 mi | 5.8 |
| EVIT Eastmark High School Mesa | 3.4 mi | — |
| Gateway Polytechnic Academy Mesa | 3.4 mi | 7.7 |
| Leading Edge Academy at East Mesa Gilbert | 3.6 mi | 5.2 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 85209 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$80,498
Median Home Value
$363,800
Median Rent
$1,798/mo
Population
42,171
College Educated
33.2%
Homeownership
73.9%
Avg Commute
26 min
Poverty Rate
6.9%
Median Age
45.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding Desert Ridge High has a median household income of $80,498. It is an area where 33% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $363,800, with a median rent of $1,798/month. The local poverty rate of 6.9% 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 |
|---|---|
| Arcadia High School Phoenix, AZ | 6.9 |
| Barry Goldwater High School Phoenix, AZ | 6.9 |
| Desert Vista High School Phoenix, AZ | 6.9 |
| Centennial High School Peoria, AZ | 7.0 |
| Rio Rico High School Rio Rico, AZ | 7.0 |
| Verrado High School Buckeye, AZ | 6.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Desert Ridge High
What grades does Desert Ridge High serve?
Desert Ridge High serves students in grades 8th through 12th.
How many students attend Desert Ridge High?
Desert Ridge High has an enrollment of approximately 2,222 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Desert Ridge High?
The student-teacher ratio at Desert Ridge High is 20.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Desert Ridge High rank in AZ?
Desert Ridge High is ranked #684 out of 2,000 schools in AZ.
What is Desert Ridge High's MySchoolScout rating?
Desert Ridge High 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 Ridge High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Desert Ridge High has 44.3% math proficiency and 45.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Desert Ridge High a charter school?
No, Desert Ridge High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Desert Ridge High a Title I school?
No, Desert Ridge High is not currently a Title I school.
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 8th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 2,222
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 20.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 110
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Maricopa County
- Phone
- (480) 984-8947
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Gilbert Unified District (4239)- District Enrollment
- 32,402
- Schools in District
- 38
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $10,928
- District Rank
- #29 of 38
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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