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 1,940 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 5%, and reading proficiency is top 5%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 81% (which is higher than the Arizona state average of 35%). 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 21:1 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 66% (majority Hispanic).
Quick Stats (2025)
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 1,940 students
- Student:Teacher Ratio: 21:1
- Minority Enrollment: 30%
- Graduation Rate: 95% (Top 20% in AZ)
- Overall Testing Rank: Top 5%
- Math Proficiency: 81% (Top 5%)
- 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
Most improved public schools
Math Proficiency
Reading/Language Arts Proficiency
Graduation Rate
School Overview
Desert Mountain High School's student population of 1,940 students has declined by 7% over five school years.
The teacher population of 94 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
(No virtual instruction)
(No virtual instruction)
Total Students
1,940 students
Gender %
Total Classroom Teachers
94 teachers
Year Founded
1995
Colors
Grey, Maroon
School Rankings
Desert Mountain High School ranks within the top 5% of all 1,956 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
#33 out of 1956 schools
(Top 5%)
(Top 5%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
81%
35%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
77%
40%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
34%
24%
Student : Teacher Ratio
21:1
17:1
American Indian
1%
5%
Asian
12%
3%
Hispanic
9%
48%
Black
4%
6%
White
70%
34%
Hawaiian
1%
n/a
Two or more races
3%
4%
All Ethnic Groups
Graduation Rate
95%
77%
Eligible for Free Lunch
8%
40%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
1%
10%
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), AZ Dept. of Education
School Notes
- School Mascot: Wolf
Profile last updated: 02/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Desert Mountain High School's ranking?
Desert Mountain High School is ranked #33 out of 1,956 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?
81% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 35% 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 95%, which is higher than the Arizona state average of 77%.
How many students attend Desert Mountain High School?
1,940 students attend Desert Mountain High School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
70% of Desert Mountain High School students are White, 12% of students are Asian, 9% of students are Hispanic, 4% of students are Black, 3% of students are Two or more races, 1% of students are American Indian, and 1% of students are Hawaiian.
What is the student:teacher ratio of Desert Mountain High School?
Desert Mountain High School has a student ration of 21:1, 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) School District.
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 Calendar
View the Desert Mountain High School below.
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.
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