Average
#831 of 2,000 schools in AZ
Top 42% in state
Desert Ridge Jr. High
Middle School · Gilbert Unified District (4239)
10211 E MADERO AVE, Mesa, AZ 85209
Enrollment
950
Student-Teacher
19.4:1
Score
6.6
Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
950
Student-Teacher
19.4:1
Score
6.6
Grades
7th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Mesa
#41 of 119
public schools
Arizona middle schools
#87 of 218
In district
#32 of 38
Gilbert Unified District (4239)
Academic growth
7.2 / 10
Strong
About Desert Ridge Jr. High
Desert Ridge Jr. High serves 950 seventh and eighth grade students in Mesa, Arizona, with a student-teacher ratio of 19.4:1 across 49 full-time equivalent teachers. This middle school ranks 765th out of 2,029 Arizona schools, placing it in the 62nd percentile statewide with a MySchoolScout rating of 6.2 out of 10.
Academically, the school shows varying performance across subjects. In English Language Arts and Reading, 45% of students achieve proficiency or above, while mathematics presents an area with room for growth, with 33% of students meeting proficiency standards. These results reflect opportunities for continued academic development as students transition through their middle school years.
The school is situated in Mesa's 85209 ZIP code, a stable community where families enjoy a median household income of $75,808 and median home values of $327,700. The neighborhood demonstrates a commitment to education, with 32% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher, while maintaining a low poverty rate of just 7.1%. This middle school serves as an educational cornerstone in a thriving area of one of Arizona's largest cities, providing students with a structured environment during these crucial formative years.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Desert Ridge Jr. High — Students at Desert Ridge Jr. High score 39% proficient, which is below 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
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 7.2/10.
How Desert Ridge Jr. High Compares
See how Desert Ridge Jr. High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 38% (2019) to 33% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 52% (2019) to 45% (2022).
Location
10211 E MADERO AVE, Mesa, AZ 85209
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Desert Ridge Jr. High may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Canyon Rim Elementary (rated 8.9/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Meridian (rated 8.7/10, 2.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Augusta Ranch Elementary (rated 8.5/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Mesa, see our Mesa schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Desert Ridge High Mesa | 0.3 mi | 6.9 |
| Legacy Traditional School - East Mesa Chandler | 0.8 mi | 4.2 |
| Canyon Rim Elementary Mesa | 1.1 mi | 8.9 |
| Augusta Ranch Elementary Mesa | 1.1 mi | 8.5 |
| Imagine East Mesa Elementary Phoenix | 1.6 mi | 3.2 |
| Imagine East Mesa Middle Phoenix | 1.6 mi | 7.5 |
| Skyline High School Mesa | 2.0 mi | 6.2 |
| EVIT - Skyline High School Mesa | 2.0 mi | — |
| Patterson Elementary Mesa | 2.3 mi | 5.2 |
| Meridian Mesa | 2.2 mi | 8.7 |
| Stevenson Elementary School Mesa | 2.3 mi | 3.5 |
| Brinton Elementary Mesa | 2.5 mi | 4.9 |
| American Leadership Academy Mesa K-6 Chandler | 2.9 mi | 8.0 |
| Sequoia Pathfinder Academy at Eastmark Mesa | 3.0 mi | 7.6 |
| BASIS Mesa Mesa | 3.2 mi | 5.6 |
| Boulder Creek Elementary Mesa | 2.9 mi | 8.1 |
| Gateway Polytechnic Academy Mesa | 3.3 mi | 7.7 |
| Eastmark High School Mesa | 3.5 mi | 5.8 |
| EVIT Eastmark High School Mesa | 3.5 mi | — |
| Leading Edge Academy at East Mesa Gilbert | 3.5 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 Jr. 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 |
|---|---|
| Connolly Middle School Tempe, AZ | 6.6 |
| John M Andersen Jr High School Chandler, AZ | 6.6 |
| Mountain Trail Middle School Phoenix, AZ | 6.6 |
| Somerton Middle School Somerton, AZ | 6.6 |
| Desert Shadows Middle School Nogales, AZ | 6.5 |
| Kingman Middle School Kingman, AZ | 6.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Desert Ridge Jr. High
What grades does Desert Ridge Jr. High serve?
Desert Ridge Jr. High serves students in grades 7th through 8th.
How many students attend Desert Ridge Jr. High?
Desert Ridge Jr. High has an enrollment of approximately 950 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Desert Ridge Jr. High?
The student-teacher ratio at Desert Ridge Jr. High is 19.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Desert Ridge Jr. High rank in AZ?
Desert Ridge Jr. High is ranked #831 out of 2,000 schools in AZ.
What is Desert Ridge Jr. High's MySchoolScout rating?
Desert Ridge Jr. High has a composite rating of 6.6 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 Jr. High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Desert Ridge Jr. High has 33.0% math proficiency and 46.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Desert Ridge Jr. High a charter school?
No, Desert Ridge Jr. High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Desert Ridge Jr. High a Title I school?
No, Desert Ridge Jr. High is not currently a Title I school.
Neighborhood Context
- Walk Score
- 14 Car-Dependent
- Transit Score
- 0 Minimal Transit
- Bike Score
- 51 Bikeable
- City Safety
- High (1,955/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Mesa). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 7th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 950
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 19.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 49
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Maricopa County
- Phone
- (480) 635-2025
- 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
- #32 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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