Desert Mountain High School serves 1,894 students in grades 9-12.
Desert Mountain High School placed in the top 30% of all schools in Arizona for overall test scores (math proficiency is top 30%, and reading proficiency is top 50%) for the 2020-21 school year.
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 49% (which is higher than the Arizona state average of 32%) for the 2020-21 school year. The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 47% (which is higher than the Arizona state average of 39%) for the 2020-21 school year.
The student:teacher ratio of 22:1 is higher than the Arizona state level of 17:1.
Minority enrollment is 25% of the student body (majority Asian and Hispanic), which is lower than the Arizona state average of 65% (majority Hispanic).
Quick Stats (2023-24)
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 1,894 students
- Student:Teacher Ratio: 22:1
- Minority Enrollment: 25%
- Graduation Rate: 96% (Top 5% in AZ)
- Overall Testing Rank: Top 30%
- Math Proficiency: 49% (Top 30%)
- Reading Proficiency: 47% (Top 50%)
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), AZ Dept. of Education
Top Rankings
Desert Mountain High School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Arizona for:
Category
Attribute
Graduation Rate
School Overview
Desert Mountain High School's student population of 1,894 students has declined by 12% over five school years.
The teacher population of 87 teachers has declined by 7% over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
Total Students
1,894 students

Gender %

Total Classroom Teachers
87 teachers

Students by Grade

School Rankings
Desert Mountain High School is ranked within the top 30% of all 1,854 schools in Arizona (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2020-21 school year.
The diversity score of Desert Mountain High School is 0.42, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.65. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#522 out of 1854 schools
(Top 30%)
(Top 30%)

Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
49%
32%

Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
47%
39%

Student : Teacher Ratio
22:1
17:1

American Indian
1%
5%

Asian
10%
3%

Hispanic
9%
47%

Black
3%
6%

White
75%
35%

Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
Two or more races
2%
4%

All Ethnic Groups



Graduation Rate
96%
76%

Eligible for Free Lunch
3%
29%

Eligible for Reduced Lunch (20-21)
2%
9%

School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Source: 2021-2022 (latest school year available) National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), AZ Dept. of Education
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Desert Mountain High School's ranking?
Desert Mountain High School is ranked #522 out of 1,854 schools, which ranks it among the top 30% of public schools in Arizona.
What schools are Desert Mountain High School often compared to?
Desert Mountain High Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Chaparral High School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
49% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 32% AZ state average), while 47% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 39% AZ state average).
What is the graduation rate of Desert Mountain High School?
The graduation rate of Desert Mountain High School is 96%, which is higher than the Arizona state average of 76%.
How many students attend Desert Mountain High School?
1,894 students attend Desert Mountain High School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
75% of Desert Mountain High School students are White, 10% of students are Asian, 9% of students are Hispanic, 3% of students are Black, 2% of students are Two or more races, and 1% of students are American Indian.
What is the student:teacher ratio of Desert Mountain High School?
Desert Mountain High School has a student ration of 22:1, which is higher than the Arizona state average of 17:1.
What grades does Desert Mountain High School offer ?
Desert Mountain High School offers enrollment in grades 9-12
What school district is Desert Mountain High School part of?
Desert Mountain High School is part of Scottsdale Unified District (4240) School District.
School Calendar
View the Desert Mountain High School yearly calendar below. Note key dates such as:
Event
Date
Fall Break
October 09, 2023 (Monday)
Spring Break
March 11, 2024 (Monday)
Last Day Student Classes - Early Release (All Grades Pre-K-12)
May 23, 2024 (Thursday)
School Reviews
5 9/9/2017
Desert Mountain is a wonderful school filled with opportunists and so far I have been enjoying everything and nothing terrible has gone wrong
2 11/17/2009
Desert Mountain is by far the worst school I have ever been to. The faculty is downright malicious, the teachers don't care at all, and I have never seen so many troubled kids. The students have no respect for themselves or each other. Everyday I would see people on drugs, or talking about sex, and the teachers didn't notice at all. The teachers definitely play favorites, and if your not one of the select few then school becomes miserable. The office staff and faculty members seem to want to find the bad in everybody, even falsely accusing the good-moralled students. In the month I spent at DM I learned nothing academic whatsoever, even in advanced classes. This school is absolutely a joke and I would not recommended it for anyone.
Review Desert Mountain High 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

The Link between Music and a Child’s Math Abilities
Learn about the influence of music on a child’s cognitive mathematical abilities.
August 04, 2023
Preparing for a Successful 'Back to School'A one-stop guide for parents navigating the 'back to school' season, providing practical and effective strategies tailored to every grade level - from pre-K to high school.

July 25, 2023
The Evolving Role of Interim AssessmentsExplore the often-overlooked tool in K-12 education - interim assessments. Understand what they are, their importance, and how they can enhance your child's learning experience. Dive into real-world case studies and find out how technology is changing the game. This informative, parent-friendly article aims to shed light on the value of these assessments in today's educational landscape.