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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

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

Sources: Wikipedia

Synthesized from public, attributable sources. Updated April 2026.

Desert Vista High School is a public high school situated in the Ahwatukee area of Phoenix, Arizona 2 . It opened in 1996 and serves as the second school within the Tempe Union High School District (TUHSD) to be established in the Ahwatukee region 2 . The school currently serves an approximate enrollment of 3,000 students 2 .
Sources (1)
  1. en.wikipedia.org
Generated by AI from public sources. Every claim is grounded in a cited source. Report inaccuracy

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 metrics
Student Progress8.8Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.43 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics9.7Exceptional25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency74%
Reading/ELA Proficiency74%
Overall Proficiency74%
Expected (poverty-adj.)44%
vs. Expected+30.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile96th
College Readiness4.3Below Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation17.6%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment4.7Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio21.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$9,314

Desert Vista High School — Students at Desert Vista High School score 74% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 44%).

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 66.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 66.3%
School
State
N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
75%
ELA
70%
2021*
Math
49%
ELA
55%
2022
Math
74%
ELA
74%

* 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.

Overall Score
6.9/10
65th percentile in AZ
Academic
9.7/10
9.7/10
Growth
8.8/10
Above average
Environment
4.7/10
Below average

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
27 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
20 Minimal Transit
Bike Score
59 Bikeable
City Safety
High (3,139/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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

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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