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
Enrollment
1,208
Student-Teacher
26.3:1
Score
5.8
Grades
10th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
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Desert Hills High — Students at Desert Hills High score 56% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 50%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
16.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores UT RISE (2024-25)
Based on 7 test records from UT 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: 7.4/10.
How Desert Hills High Compares
See how Desert Hills High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 56% (2019) to 44.86% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 58% (2019) to 67.24% (2025).
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (435) 674-0885
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Washington District- District Enrollment
- 37,575
- Schools in District
- 56
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $9,106
- District Rank
- #36 of 53
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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