Desert Mountain High School is a public high school in northeast Scottsdale, Arizona, which opened in the fall of 1995. It is the newest of five high schools in the Scottsdale Unified School District.
Serving 1,905 students in grades 9-12, Desert Mountain High School ranks in the top 5% of all schools in Arizona for overall test scores (math proficiency is top 10%, and reading proficiency is top 10%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 67% (which is higher than the Arizona state average of 34%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 77% (which is higher than the Arizona state average of 40%).
The student-teacher ratio of 20:1 is higher than the Arizona state level of 17:1.
Minority enrollment is 30% of the student body (majority Asian and Hispanic), which is lower than the Arizona state average of 67% (majority Hispanic).
Quick Facts (2026)
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 1,905 students
- Student-Teacher Ratio: 20:1
- Minority Enrollment: 30%
- Graduation Rate: 94% (Top 20% in AZ)
- Overall Testing Rank: Top 5%
- Math Proficiency: 67% (Top 10%)
- Reading Proficiency: 77% (Top 5%)
- Science Proficiency: 34% (Top 30%)
- 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
Overall Rank
Math Proficiency
Reading/Language Arts Proficiency
Graduation Rate
School Overview
Desert Mountain High School's student population of 1,905 students has grown by 8% over five school years.
The teacher population of 93 teachers has grown by 5% over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
(No virtual instruction)
(No virtual instruction)
Total Students
1,905 students
Total Classroom Teachers
93 teachers
Year Founded
1995
Colors
Grey, Maroon
School Rankings
Desert Mountain High School ranks within the top 5% of all 1,921 schools in Arizona (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Desert Mountain High School is 0.49, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.66. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#64 out of 1921 schools
(Top 5%)
(Top 5%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
67%
34%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
77%
40%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
34%
24%
Student-Teacher Ratio
20:1
17:1
American Indian
1%
5%
Asian
13%
3%
Hispanic
10%
49%
Black
3%
6%
White
70%
33%
Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
Two or more races
3%
4%
All Ethnic Groups
Graduation Rate
94%
77%
Eligible for Free Lunch
8%
41%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
2%
10%
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), AZ Dept. of Education
School Notes
- School Mascot: Wild Boars
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Desert Mountain High School's ranking?
Desert Mountain High School is ranked #64 out of 1,921 schools, which ranks it among the top 5% 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?
67% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 34% AZ state average), while 77% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 40% AZ state average).
What is the graduation rate of Desert Mountain High School?
The graduation rate of Desert Mountain High School is 94%, which is higher than the Arizona state average of 77%.
How many students attend Desert Mountain High School?
1,905 students attend Desert Mountain High School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
70% of Desert Mountain High School students are White, 13% of students are Asian, 10% of students are Hispanic, 3% of students are Black, 3% 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 20:1, 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 (No virtual instruction).
What school district is Desert Mountain High School part of?
Desert Mountain High School is part of Scottsdale Unified District (4240).
In what neighborhood is Desert Mountain High School located?
Desert Mountain High School is located in the Central Scottsdale neighborhood of Scottsdale, AZ. There are 8 other public schools located in Central Scottsdale.
School Reviews
2 10/10/2025
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.
5 10/10/2025
Desert Mountain is a wonderful school filled with opportunists and so far I have been enjoying everything and nothing terrible has gone wrong
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
AI Report Cards: Should Schools Evaluate AI Use?
Explore whether schools should assess student AI use, the benefits, risks, and what responsible AI report cards could look like in 2026.
The Parent’s Guide to School Cell Phone Bans in 2026
Learn how school cell phone bans work in 2026, why districts are adopting them, and what parents should expect.
Parental Involvement in Public Schools: 2026 Update
Explore the latest 2026 trends, research, and strategies shaping parental involvement in public schools and student success.
