Average
#707 of 2,000 schools in AZ
Top 35% in state
Desert Vista High School
High School · Tempe Union High School District (4287)
16440 S 32ND ST, Phoenix, AZ 85048
Enrollment
2,802
Student-Teacher
21.7:1
Score
6.9
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
2,802
Student-Teacher
21.7:1
Score
6.9
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Phoenix
#117 of 398
public schools
Arizona high schools
#132 of 429
In district
#2 of 7
Tempe Union High School District (4287)
Academic performance
9.7 / 10
Exceptional
About Desert Vista High School
Desert Vista High School serves 2,802 students in grades 9-12 in Phoenix, Arizona, earning recognition as one of the state's top-performing high schools. With a MySchoolScout rating of 8.0 out of 10 and ranking 120th out of 2,029 Arizona schools, Desert Vista demonstrates strong academic achievement that places it in the 94th percentile statewide. The school's academic performance is particularly impressive, with 74% of students achieving proficiency or above in both English Language Arts and Math across all grade levels.
This consistent performance across core subjects reflects the quality of instruction provided by the school's 129 full-time equivalent teachers, who maintain a student-teacher ratio of 21.7:1. Desert Vista draws from an affluent community in the 85048 ZIP code, where the median household income reaches $115,101 and 58% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. The neighborhood's median home value of $487,200 and low poverty rate of 4.4% indicate a well-established, education-focused community of 34,008 residents.
Located on South 32nd Street in Phoenix, Desert Vista High School operates within Arizona's largest city, providing students with both suburban community feel and urban opportunities in the heart of Maricopa County.
What's said publicly about Desert Vista High School
Synthesized from public, attributable sources. Updated April 2026.
Sources (1)
What Parents Should Know
Desert Vista High School is a large school with 2,802 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 Vista High School is 21.7:1, 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 Vista High School — Students at Desert Vista High School score 74% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 44%).
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
→ StableAverage 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: 8.8/10.
How Desert Vista High School Compares
See how Desert Vista High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 75% (2019) to 74% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 70% (2019) to 74% (2022).
Location
16440 S 32ND ST, Phoenix, AZ 85048
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Desert Vista High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Horizon Honors Secondary School (rated 6.1/10, 2.1 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Mountain Pointe High School (rated 5.9/10, 2.5 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Phoenix, see our Phoenix schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS MONTESSORI Phoenix | 0.5 mi | — |
| Kyrene De Los Lagos School Phoenix | 0.5 mi | 6.8 |
| Kyrene Akimel A-Al Middle School Phoenix | 0.6 mi | 6.7 |
| Kyrene de la Estrella Elementary School Phoenix | 0.7 mi | 5.1 |
| Kyrene Monte Vista School Phoenix | 1.1 mi | 7.8 |
| Kyrene Centennial Middle School Phoenix | 1.8 mi | 5.5 |
| Kyrene Digital Academy Tempe | 1.8 mi | 4.5 |
| Kyrene de la Esperanza School Phoenix | 1.7 mi | 4.9 |
| Kyrene de la Colina School Phoenix | 1.9 mi | 5.9 |
| Kyrene del Milenio Phoenix | 1.8 mi | 5.7 |
| Horizon Honors Secondary School Phoenix | 2.1 mi | 6.1 |
| Horizon Honors Elementary School Phoenix | 2.1 mi | 4.9 |
| ST JOHN BOSCO CATHOLIC Phoenix | 2.1 mi | 6.4 |
| Mountain Pointe High School Phoenix | 2.5 mi | 5.9 |
| Kyrene de la Sierra School Phoenix | 2.5 mi | 7.2 |
| Kyrene de los Cerritos School Phoenix | 2.6 mi | 6.8 |
| Kyrene Altadena Middle School Phoenix | 2.7 mi | 6.5 |
| Keystone Montessori Charter School Phoenix | 2.6 mi | 7.7 |
| Kyrene de las Lomas School Phoenix | 3.2 mi | 8.4 |
| DESERT GARDEN MONTESSORI Phoenix | 3.5 mi | 9.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 85048 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$123,198
Median Home Value
$538,500
Median Rent
$1,995/mo
Population
34,113
College Educated
61.6%
Homeownership
74.3%
Avg Commute
24.1 min
Poverty Rate
4.1%
Median Age
42.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding Desert Vista High School has a median household income of $123,198. It is a well-educated community where 62% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $538,500, with a median rent of $1,995/month. The local poverty rate of 4.1% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 24 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 |
|---|---|
| Desert Ridge High Mesa, AZ | 6.9 |
| Centennial High School Peoria, AZ | 7.0 |
| Chandler High School Chandler, AZ | 6.8 |
| Verrado High School Buckeye, AZ | 6.8 |
| Washington High School Phoenix, AZ | 6.7 |
| Boulder Creek High School Anthem, AZ | 7.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Desert Vista High School
What grades does Desert Vista High School serve?
Desert Vista High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Desert Vista High School?
Desert Vista High School has an enrollment of approximately 2,802 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Desert Vista High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Desert Vista High School is 21.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Desert Vista High School rank in AZ?
Desert Vista High School is ranked #707 out of 2,000 schools in AZ.
What is Desert Vista High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Desert Vista High School 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 Vista High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Desert Vista High School has 66.0% math proficiency and 66.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Desert Vista High School a charter school?
No, Desert Vista High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Desert Vista High School a Title I school?
No, Desert Vista High School is not currently a Title I school.
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 2,802
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 21.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 129
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Maricopa County
- Phone
- (480) 706-7900
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Tempe Union High School District (4287)- District Enrollment
- 12,002
- Schools in District
- 8
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,252
- District Rank
- #2 of 7
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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