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Average

#664 of 1,015 schools in UT

Desert Hills Middle

School · Washington District

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

Enrollment

875

Student-Teacher

24.3:1

Score

5.7

Grades

8th – 9th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Utah schools

#664 of 1,015

In St. George

#22 of 34

public schools

In district

#34 of 53

Washington District

Academic performance

8.8 / 10

Excellent

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Desert Hills Middle

5.7/10

School in St. George · grades 8th – 9th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Washington Preschool

4.0/10

0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Desert Hills High

7.3/10

0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Desert Hills Middle

Desert Hills Middle is a public school in St. George, UT, part of Washington District. Desert Hills Middle serves approximately 875 students, and covers grades 8th-9th, and has a 24.3:1 student-teacher ratio.

Desert Hills Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.7 out of 10 and ranks #664 of 1,015 schools in UT. Structured state assessment records for Desert Hills Middle show 66% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 67% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.5 pts below district
  • This school 5.7 · Average
  • District avg 6.2
  • UT avg 6.3

What Parents Should Know

Desert Hills Middle runs 24.3:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.

Desert Hills Middle sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/3 metrics
Student Progress5.6Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-2.77 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics8.8Excellent25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency57.3% (2025 RISE)
Reading/ELA Proficiency57.2% (2025 RISE)
Overall Proficiency57% (2025 RISE, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)49% (model expectation from 2025 RISE)
vs. Expected+7.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile81th
College Readiness3.5Needs Improvement30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment5.1Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio24.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$9,106
Chronic Absenteeism16%

Desert Hills Middle — Students at Desert Hills Middle score 57% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 49%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

17.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores UT RISE (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 65.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 67.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
N/A

Based on 29 test records from UT state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
85%
ELA
96%
2010
Math
90%
ELA
97%
2011
Math
89%
ELA
97%
2012
Math
95%
ELA
99.5%
2013
Math
45%
ELA
54%
2014
Math
46%
ELA
61%
2015
Math
63%
ELA
53%
2016
Math
58%
ELA
53%
2017
Math
66%
ELA
52%
2018
Math
55%
ELA
53%
2019
Math
55%
ELA
53%
2020*
Math
57%
ELA
57%
2021*
Math
57%
ELA
57%
2025
Math
57.3%
ELA
57.2%

* 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: 5.6/10.

How Desert Hills Middle Compares

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

Overall Score
5.7/10
35th percentile in UT
Academic
8.8/10
Excellent
Growth
5.6/10
Average
Environment
5.1/10
Average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
18%
Teaching Staff
24:1 student-teacher ratio
36 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
16.0%

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 4.6/10, 3.0 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, Washington Preschool (rated 4.0/10, 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 4.0
Desert Hills High St. George 0.2 mi 7.3
Southern Utah School of the Deaf St. George 0.3 mi
Bloomington Hills School St. George 0.3 mi 6.8
Little Valley School St. George 1.5 mi 7.2
Bloomington School St. George 1.6 mi 7.3
Sunrise Ridge Intermediate St. George 1.7 mi 6.5
Heritage School St. George 2.6 mi 6.3
CORAL SANDS ACADEMY St. George 2.5 mi 5.3
Dixie Middle St. George 3.0 mi 4.6
Crimson View School St. George 2.7 mi 9.1
George Washington Academy St. George 2.7 mi 6.6
Dixie High St. George 3.2 mi 5.7
South Mesa Elementary St. George 2.8 mi 9.2
Tonaquint Intermediate St. George 3.0 mi 3.6
Freedom Preparatory Academy Washington St. George 3.3 mi 5.8
Success DSU St. George 3.7 mi 7.6
Legacy School St. George 3.9 mi 7.5
Crimson Cliffs High Washington 3.3 mi 8.2
Fossil Ridge Intermediate St. George 3.8 mi 3.5

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

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 ranks #664 of 1,015 schools in UT.

What is Desert Hills Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Desert Hills Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.7 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Desert Hills Middle?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Desert Hills Middle has 66% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 67% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
30 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
0 Minimal Transit
Bike Score
29 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
16.0%

District

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

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