Very Good
#334 of 1,014 schools in UT
Top 33% in state
Desert Hills Middle
School · Washington District
936 E DESERT HILLS DRIVE, St. George, UT 84790
Enrollment
875
Student-Teacher
24.3:1
Score
7.1
Grades
8th – 9th
Enrollment
875
Student-Teacher
24.3:1
Score
7.1
Grades
8th – 9th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In St. George
#5 of 11
public schools
In district
#19 of 53
Washington District
Academic performance
8.8 / 10
Exceptional
About Desert Hills Middle
Desert Hills Middle serves 875 students in grades 8 and 9 in Saint George, Utah, providing education during these crucial transitional years between middle and high school. With 36 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 24.3:1, which is fairly typical for public middle schools. The school currently ranks 818th out of 1,018 schools statewide, placing it in the 20th percentile, indicating significant room for academic growth and development.
While specific test score data isn't available, the school's MySchoolScout rating of 4.2 out of 10 suggests the educational community is working to strengthen student outcomes and academic achievement. Desert Hills Middle draws from a economically stable community where the median household income reaches $81,405 and home values average $450,900. The surrounding area shows strong community investment in education, with 36% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher, while maintaining a relatively low poverty rate of 7.8%.
This economic stability provides a foundation that could support enhanced educational opportunities. The school sits in a rural setting near Saint George, offering students a quieter learning environment while still maintaining access to the resources and opportunities of this growing southern Utah community.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Desert Hills Middle is 24.3:1, 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 Middle 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 · 4/3 metricsView breakdown
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Desert Hills Middle — Students at Desert Hills Middle score 57% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 50%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
17.6%
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: 8.5/10.
How Desert Hills Middle Compares
See how Desert Hills Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 55% (2019) to 57.27% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 53% (2019) to 57.2% (2025).
Location
936 E DESERT HILLS DRIVE, St. George, UT 84790
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Desert Hills Middle may also want to explore other schools in the area. Dixie Middle (rated 6.7/10, 3.0 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Washington Preschool (rated 5.6/10, 0.2 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in St. George, see our St. George schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Preschool St. George | 0.2 mi | 5.6 |
| Desert Hills High St. George | 0.2 mi | 5.8 |
| Southern Utah School of the Deaf St. George | 0.3 mi | — |
| Bloomington Hills School St. George | 0.3 mi | 7.4 |
| Little Valley School St. George | 1.5 mi | 6.5 |
| Bloomington School St. George | 1.6 mi | 7.5 |
| Sunrise Ridge Intermediate St. George | 1.7 mi | 7.5 |
| Heritage School St. George | 2.6 mi | 8.2 |
| CORAL SANDS ACADEMY St. George | 2.5 mi | 5.3 |
| Dixie Middle St. George | 3.0 mi | 6.7 |
| Crimson View School St. George | 2.7 mi | 6.3 |
| George Washington Academy St. George | 2.7 mi | 5.7 |
| Dixie High St. George | 3.2 mi | 5.4 |
| South Mesa Elementary St. George | 2.8 mi | 8.7 |
| Tonaquint Intermediate St. George | 3.0 mi | 6.7 |
| Freedom Preparatory Academy Washington St. George | 3.3 mi | 7.4 |
| Success DSU St. George | 3.7 mi | 6.4 |
| Legacy School St. George | 3.9 mi | 6.2 |
| Crimson Cliffs High Washington | 3.3 mi | 6.4 |
| Fossil Ridge Intermediate St. George | 3.8 mi | 3.6 |
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 Middle 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Desert Hills Middle
What grades does Desert Hills Middle serve?
Desert Hills Middle serves students in grades 8th through 9th.
How many students attend Desert Hills Middle?
Desert Hills Middle has an enrollment of approximately 875 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Desert Hills Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at Desert Hills Middle is 24.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Desert Hills Middle rank in UT?
Desert Hills Middle is ranked #334 out of 1,014 schools in UT.
What is Desert Hills Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Desert Hills Middle has a composite rating of 7.1 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 Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Desert Hills Middle has 56.4% math proficiency and 55.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Desert Hills Middle a charter school?
No, Desert Hills Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Desert Hills Middle a Title I school?
No, Desert Hills Middle is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Desert Hills Middle?
17.6% of students at Desert Hills Middle 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
- 8th – 9th
- Enrollment
- 875
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 24.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 36
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 17.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Washington County
- Phone
- (435) 628-0001
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Washington District- District Enrollment
- 37,575
- Schools in District
- 56
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $9,106
- District Rank
- #19 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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