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Average

#654 of 1,014 schools in UT

Desert Hills High

High School · Washington District

828 E DESERT HILLS DRIVE, St. George, UT 84790

Enrollment

1,208

Student-Teacher

26.3:1

Score

5.8

Grades

10th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In St. George

#9 of 11

public schools

Utah high schools

#105 of 173

In district

#36 of 53

Washington District

Academic performance

8.5 / 10

Exceptional

About Desert Hills High

Desert Hills High serves 1,208 students in grades 10-12 in Saint George, Utah, operating with 46 full-time equivalent teachers for a student-teacher ratio of 26.3:1. As a regular public high school, Desert Hills focuses on serving upperclassmen in their final years before graduation. The school currently holds a 3.7 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating and ranks in the 10th percentile among Utah high schools at #921 out of 1,018 schools statewide, indicating significant room for academic growth and development.

The larger class sizes present both challenges and opportunities for building strong peer relationships and school community. Desert Hills High draws students from a well-established community where the median household income reaches $81,405 and median home values are $450,900. The surrounding area shows economic stability with only a 7.8% poverty rate, and 36% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, reflecting a community that values education and achievement.

The school's location on Desert Hills Drive places it in Washington County's growing Saint George area, positioned in a rural setting near town amenities. This unique location offers students access to both the natural beauty of southern Utah and the resources of an expanding urban center.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Desert Hills High is 26.3:1, 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.

Located in a rural area, Desert Hills High may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress7.4Very Good25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.07 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics8.5Excellent25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency44.9%
Reading/ELA Proficiency67.2%
Overall Proficiency56%
Expected (poverty-adj.)50%
vs. Expected+5.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile78th
College Readiness4.6Below Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation19.9%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment2.2Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio26.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$8,179

Desert Hills High — Students at Desert Hills High score 56% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 50%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

16.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores UT RISE (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 49.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 61.1%
School
State
N/A

Based on 7 test records from UT state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
56%
ELA
58%
2021*
Math
47%
ELA
58%
2025
Math
44.9%
ELA
67.2%

* 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: 7.4/10.

How Desert Hills High Compares

See how Desert Hills High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.8/10
36th percentile in UT
Academic
8.5/10
8.5/10
Growth
7.4/10
Above average
Environment
2.2/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
16%
Teaching Staff
26:1 student-teacher ratio
46 teachers

Location

828 E DESERT HILLS DRIVE, St. George, UT 84790

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Desert Hills High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Success DSU (rated 6.4/10, 3.7 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Dixie High (rated 5.4/10, 3.1 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, CORAL SANDS ACADEMY (rated 5.3/10, 2.4 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in St. George, see our St. George schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 4.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Desert Hills Middle St. George 0.2 mi 7.1
Washington Preschool St. George 0.3 mi 5.6
Southern Utah School of the Deaf St. George 0.3 mi
Bloomington Hills School St. George 0.3 mi 7.4
Bloomington School St. George 1.4 mi 7.5
Little Valley School St. George 1.7 mi 6.5
Sunrise Ridge Intermediate St. George 1.9 mi 7.5
Heritage School St. George 2.6 mi 8.2
CORAL SANDS ACADEMY St. George 2.4 mi 5.3
Dixie Middle St. George 3.0 mi 6.7
Dixie High St. George 3.1 mi 5.4
Tonaquint Intermediate St. George 2.8 mi 6.7
Crimson View School St. George 2.8 mi 6.3
George Washington Academy St. George 2.8 mi 5.7
Freedom Preparatory Academy Washington St. George 3.2 mi 7.4
Success DSU St. George 3.7 mi 6.4
South Mesa Elementary St. George 3.0 mi 8.7
Legacy School St. George 3.9 mi 6.2
Fossil Ridge Intermediate St. George 3.9 mi 3.6
Post HS Self-Cont St. George 4.1 mi 6.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 84790 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$85,720

Median Home Value

$500,900

Median Rent

$1,598/mo

Population

54,353

College Educated

38.3%

Homeownership

74.3%

Avg Commute

17.1 min

Poverty Rate

9.1%

Median Age

37.8

Community Profile

The community surrounding Desert Hills High has a median household income of $85,720. It is an area where 38% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $500,900, with a median rent of $1,598/month. The local poverty rate of 9.1% is relatively low. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 17 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
Ogden High Ogden, UT 5.8
Bountiful High Bountiful, UT 5.7
Bear River High Garland, UT 6.0
Green Canyon High School North Logan, UT 5.6
Springville High Springville, UT 5.6
Woods Cross High Woods Cross, UT 6.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Desert Hills High

What grades does Desert Hills High serve?

Desert Hills High serves students in grades 10th through 12th.

How many students attend Desert Hills High?

Desert Hills High has an enrollment of approximately 1,208 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Desert Hills High?

The student-teacher ratio at Desert Hills High is 26.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Desert Hills High rank in UT?

Desert Hills High is ranked #654 out of 1,014 schools in UT.

What is Desert Hills High's MySchoolScout rating?

Desert Hills High has a composite rating of 5.8 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 Hills High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Desert Hills High has 49.3% math proficiency and 61.1% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Desert Hills High a charter school?

No, Desert Hills High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Desert Hills High a Title I school?

No, Desert Hills High is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Desert Hills High?

16.4% of students at Desert Hills High qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
28 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
0 Minimal Transit
Bike Score
39 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
Elevated (1,215/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
10th – 12th
Enrollment
1,208
Student-Teacher Ratio
26.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
46
Free/Reduced Lunch
16.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Washington County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Washington District
District Enrollment
37,575
Schools in District
56
Per-Pupil Spending
$9,106
District Rank
#36 of 53

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

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