Serving 909 students in grades 8-9, Desert Hills Middle School ranks in the top 20% of all schools in Utah for overall test scores (math proficiency is top 20%, and reading proficiency is top 20%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 55% (which is higher than the Utah state average of 40%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 57% (which is higher than the Utah state average of 43%).
The student-teacher ratio of 24:1 is higher than the Utah state level of 21:1.
Minority enrollment is 17% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is lower than the Utah state average of 31% (majority Hispanic).
Quick Facts (26-27)
- Grades: 8-9
- Enrollment: 909 students
- Student-Teacher Ratio: 24:1
- Minority Enrollment: 17%
- Overall Testing Rank: Top 20% in UT
- Math Proficiency: 55% (Top 20%)
- Reading Proficiency: 57% (Top 20%)
- Science Proficiency: 66% (Top 10%)
- Attendance Zone: Desert Hills Middle serves the southern part of Saint George, UT, covering an area of approximately 83.5 square miles. Families can typically expect a drive of 10-12 minutes, with the farthest edge of the attendance zone being about 18.7 miles from the school.
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), UT Dept. of Education
Top Rankings
Desert Hills Middle School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Utah for:
Category
Attribute
Overall Rank
Math Proficiency
Reading/Language Arts Proficiency
Science Proficiency
School Overview
Desert Hills Middle School's student population of 909 students has grown by 27% over five school years.
The teacher population of 38 teachers has grown by 40% over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades 8-9
Total Students
909 students
Showing 2016–2025. Full 18-year historical data available below ↓
Total Classroom Teachers
38 teachers
Showing 2012–2025. Full 18-year historical data available below ↓
Year Founded
2007
School Calendar
School Motto
To inspire and empower ALL students to be future-ready!
School Rankings
Desert Hills Middle School ranks within the top 20% of all 957 schools in Utah (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Desert Hills Middle School is 0.30, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.48. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#132 out of 957 schools
(Top 20%)
(Top 20%)
Showing 2013–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
55%
40%
Showing 2012–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
(20-21)57%
43%
Showing 2011–2021. Full 12-year historical data available below ↓
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
(20-21)66%
45%
Student-Teacher Ratio
24:1
21:1
Showing 2012–2025. Full 18-year historical data available below ↓
American Indian
1%
1%
Showing 2009–2025. Full 18-year historical data available below ↓
Asian
1%
2%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 18-year historical data available below ↓
Hispanic
10%
21%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 18-year historical data available below ↓
White
83%
69%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 18-year historical data available below ↓
Hawaiian
2%
2%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 15-year historical data available below ↓
Two or more races
3%
4%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 12-year historical data available below ↓
All Ethnic Groups
Showing 2016–2025. Full 18-year historical data available below ↓
Chronically Absent Students
(22-23)15.4%
26.5%
Eligible for Free Lunch
13%
23%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 18-year historical data available below ↓
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
3%
6%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 18-year historical data available below ↓
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Sports
Colors
Black and Gold
School Mascot
Thor
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), UT Dept. of Education
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Desert Hills Middle School's ranking?
Desert Hills Middle School is ranked #132 out of 957 schools, which ranks it among the top 20% of public schools in Utah.
What schools are Desert Hills Middle School often compared to?
Desert Hills Middle Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Pine View Middle School, Dixie Middle School, Snow Canyon Middle School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
55% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 40% UT state average), while 57% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 43% UT state average).
How many students attend Desert Hills Middle School?
909 students attend Desert Hills Middle School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
83% of Desert Hills Middle School students are White, 10% of students are Hispanic, 3% of students are Two or more races, 2% of students are Hawaiian, 1% of students are American Indian, and 1% of students are Asian.
What is the student-teacher ratio of Desert Hills Middle School?
Desert Hills Middle School has a student ration of 24:1, which is higher than the Utah state average of 21:1.
What grades does Desert Hills Middle School offer ?
Desert Hills Middle School offers enrollment in grades 8-9
What school district is Desert Hills Middle School part of?
Desert Hills Middle School is part of Washington School District.
School Reviews
5 10/10/2025
I am a current student at DHMS. I love it here, they have a wonderful teachers! I would love to come back and teacher here in the future!
Review Desert Hills Middle School. Reviews should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:
- Quality of academic programs, teachers, and facilities
- Availability of music, art, sports and other extracurricular activities
Recent Articles
How Much Choice Do High School Students Have?
Learn how graduation requirements, prerequisites, electives, staffing, scheduling conflicts, AP courses, dual enrollment, and career pathways determine how much control high school students have over schedules each year.
Does Your Child Need More Recess?
Explore whether your child may benefit more from recess than another academic period, including research on attention, learning, physical activity, stress, social development, and school-day balance today.
Combined Grade Classrooms, What Parents Should Know
Learn how combined-grade classrooms work, why public schools use them, potential benefits and challenges, and the questions parents should ask before enrolling their child in one today.
