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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

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 metrics
Student Progress8.5Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+0.5 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics8.8Excellent25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency57.3%
Reading/ELA Proficiency57.2%
Overall Proficiency57%
Expected (poverty-adj.)50%
vs. Expected+7.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile81th
College Readiness6.9Above Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment3.4Fair20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio24.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$8,179

Desert Hills Middle — Students at Desert Hills Middle score 57% 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

17.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores UT RISE (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 56.4%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 55.7%
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
55%
ELA
53%
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: 8.5/10.

How Desert Hills Middle Compares

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

Overall Score
7.1/10
67th percentile in UT
Academic
8.8/10
8.8/10
Growth
8.5/10
Above average
Environment
3.4/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
18%
Teaching Staff
24:1 student-teacher ratio
36 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
30 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
0 Minimal Transit
Bike Score
29 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
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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Washington District
District Enrollment
37,575
Schools in District
56
Per-Pupil Spending
$9,106
District Rank
#19 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

Related reading

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