Average
#1193 of 2,006 schools in AZ
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
5.8
Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
950
Student-Teacher
19.4:1
Score
5.8
Grades
7th – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Arizona schools
#1,193 of 2,006
In Mesa
#71 of 129
public schools
In district
#36 of 38
Gilbert Unified District (4239)
Shortlisting around Desert Ridge Jr. High?
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Desert Ridge Jr. High
Middle School in Mesa · grades 7th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Desert Ridge High
0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Legacy Traditional School - East Mesa
0.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Desert Ridge Jr. High
Desert Ridge Jr. High is a public middle school in Mesa, AZ, part of Gilbert Unified District (4239). Desert Ridge Jr.
High serves approximately 950 students, and covers grades 7th-8th, and has a 19.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Desert Ridge Jr. High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.8 out of 10 and ranks #1,193 of 2,006 schools in AZ.
Structured state assessment records for Desert Ridge Jr. High show 49% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 62% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 5.8 · Average
- District avg 6.5
- AZ avg 5.6
What Parents Should Know
33% of students at Desert Ridge Jr. High were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
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%).
Test Scores AZ EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 28 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: 4.4/10.
How Desert Ridge Jr. High Compares
See how Desert Ridge Jr. High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
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 9.2/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is American Leadership Academy Mesa K-6 (rated 9.0/10, 2.9 miles away, in nearby Chandler), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Meridian (rated 8.6/10, 2.2 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 | 7.1 |
| Legacy Traditional School - East Mesa Chandler | 0.8 mi | 3.9 |
| Canyon Rim Elementary Mesa | 1.1 mi | 9.2 |
| Augusta Ranch Elementary Mesa | 1.1 mi | 8.1 |
| Imagine East Mesa Elementary Phoenix | 1.6 mi | 5.3 |
| Imagine East Mesa Middle Phoenix | 1.6 mi | 7.7 |
| Skyline High School Mesa | 2.0 mi | 6.3 |
| EVIT - Skyline High School Mesa | 2.0 mi | — |
| Patterson Elementary Mesa | 2.3 mi | 7.7 |
| Meridian Mesa | 2.2 mi | 8.6 |
| Stevenson Elementary School Mesa | 2.3 mi | 3.7 |
| Brinton Elementary Mesa | 2.5 mi | 7.2 |
| American Leadership Academy Mesa K-6 Chandler | 2.9 mi | 9.0 |
| Sequoia Pathfinder Academy at Eastmark Mesa | 3.0 mi | 8.2 |
| BASIS Mesa Mesa | 3.2 mi | 8.2 |
| Boulder Creek Elementary Mesa | 2.9 mi | 6.6 |
| Gateway Polytechnic Academy Mesa | 3.3 mi | 8.6 |
| Eastmark High School Mesa | 3.5 mi | 5.7 |
| EVIT Eastmark High School Mesa | 3.5 mi | — |
| Leading Edge Academy at East Mesa Gilbert | 3.5 mi | 4.9 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Flowing Wells Junior High School Tucson, AZ | 5.8 |
| Kyrene Akimel A-Al Middle School Phoenix, AZ | 5.9 |
| Alice Vail Middle School Tucson, AZ | 6.0 |
| Cholla Middle School Phoenix, AZ | 6.0 |
| Connolly Middle School Tempe, AZ | 6.0 |
| Desert Sky Middle School Glendale, AZ | 5.6 |
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 ranks #1,193 of 2,006 schools in AZ.
What is Desert Ridge Jr. High's MySchoolScout rating?
Desert Ridge Jr. High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.8 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Desert Ridge Jr. High?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Desert Ridge Jr. High has 49% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 62% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
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
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 33.3%
- Phone
- (480) 635-2025
Resources & Links
District
Gilbert Unified District (4239)- District Enrollment
- 32,402
- Schools in District
- 38
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $10,928
- District Rank
- #36 of 38
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