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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

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 metrics
Student Progress9.3Exceptional25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+0.52 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics8.6Excellent25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency58%
Reading/ELA Proficiency54%
Overall Proficiency56%
Expected (poverty-adj.)48%
vs. Expected+7.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile78th
College Readiness4.4Below Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation18%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment5.3Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio20.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$9,253

Desert Ridge High — Students at Desert Ridge High score 56% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 48%).

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 44.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 45.7%
School
State
N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
51%
ELA
51%
2021*
Math
24%
ELA
32%
2022
Math
58%
ELA
54%

* 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.

Overall Score
6.9/10
66th percentile in AZ
Academic
8.6/10
8.6/10
Growth
9.3/10
Above average
Environment
5.3/10
Above average

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
27 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
0 Minimal Transit
Bike Score
55 Bikeable
City Safety
High (1,955/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Gilbert Unified District (4239)
District Enrollment
32,402
Schools in District
38
Per-Pupil Spending
$10,928
District Rank
#29 of 38

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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