As the second largest high school in the Tempe Union School District, Desert Vista High School is a spacious campus in Ahwatukee serving about 3,000 students.
Built in 1996 to accommodate the rapidly growing Ahwatukee community, Desert Vista High School’s mission is to inspire a community of learning by demonstrating excellence in academics, arts, and extra-curricular activities. It’s a mission that is fulfilled year after year.
Desert Vista High School is an A-rated High School by the Arizona Department of Education for its excellent test scores and academic performance. College and career readiness are largely emphasized in the curriculum; Desert Vista High School offers Advanced Placement (AP) courses, honors courses, vocational courses, and dual enrollment courses through the Maricopa County Community Colleges and the University of Arizona.
In the latest data reported, Desert Vista High School graduates of 2018 were admitted to 231 different national and international colleges and universities, earning over $33.5 million in scholarship offers. In 2021, Desert Vista was named to the 2021 NCEA Higher Performing Schools list for AZ by ABEC and the NCEA.
The arts and academic programs at Desert Vista High School are outstanding. Its fine arts programs in band, orchestra, choir, and theater are nationally recognized. The school holds 46 state championship titles and 46 state runner-up titles.
Desert Vista High School is an excellent public school choice for Ahwatukee students who will surely discover their niche, along with receiving a well-rounded high school education.
Desert Vista High School
Public High School
|
Grade 9-12
16440 S 32nd St,
Phoenix, AZ
Tempe Union High School District
School Details
Student Teacher Ratio
22:1
Average SAT Score
1270
Average ACT Score
27
Math Proficiency
74%
Reading Proficiency
74%
Average GPA
3.56
Graduation Rate
94%
Niche Grade
A
B-
A-
C+
B-
A-
A-
B-
Source: Niche
Niche Grade Details
Academics
Average GPA
3.56
Reading Proficiency
74%
Math Proficiency
74%
Teachers
Student Teacher Ratio
22:1
Teachers
129
Full Time Teachers
129
Teachers in First or Second Year
5.8%
College Prep
Average SAT
1270
Math
640
Verbal
630
Average ACT
27
Math
26
English
27
Reading
28
Science
26
Number of AP Courses
15
AP Pass Rate
86.1%
AP Math Enrollment
Very High
AP Science Enrollment
Average
Other AP Enrollment
Low
Clubs and Activities
Girls Athletic Participation
Low
Boys Athletic Participation
Average
GreatSchools Rating
Source: GreatSchools
GreatSchools Rating Details
Test Scores
Math
18%
State Average
44%
Science
14%
State Average
31%
Teachers and Staff
Students Per Counselor
398:1
Student Diversity
Male
51.6%
Female
48.4%
White
52.2%
Hispanic
25%
Two or more races
7.1%
Black
6.8%
Asian or Pacific Islander
6.6%
Native American
2%
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
<1%
Specialty School Programs
AP Programs Offered
Free/Reduced Lunch Offered
Athletics Program
Colleges Students are Considering
Students are most interested in or go on to attend these colleges.
Arizona State University
1,171 Students
Northern Arizona University
712 Students
University of Arizona
675 Students
University of California - Los Angeles
277 Students
Grand Canyon University
237 Students
University of San Diego
211 Students
Arizona State University - West Campus
143 Students
Mesa Community College
126 Students
University of California - Berkeley
120 Students
Arizona State University - Polytechnic Campus
120 Students
What Students Want to Study
Niche users from this school are most interested in the following majors.
Business
283 Students
Psychology
189 Students
Biology
143 Students
Pre-Medicine Studies
118 Students
Nursing
108 Students
Marketing
89 Students
Computer Science
87 Students
Political Science and Government
83 Students
Mechanical Engineering
74 Students
Pre-Law Studies
67 Students
This School’s Reviews
Niche Reviews
5/7/2025
Desert Vista is a great school with high academic standings. The students and teachers are all nice and seem to really care. They offer Dual Enrollment and really push for you to get extra college credits if you can.
3/25/2025
average rating need to do a better job prepping students who are interested in attending college ready
11/14/2024
Desert vista high school has adequately prepared me for the college experience. There are a variety of clubs and sports that this school provides that keep students busy and active. The teachers are helpful and ensure a student's best experience within their classroom as well as engaging and caring. I would like to see change within the diversity and culture of our campus. I rarely see a variety of culture represented at our school.
GreatSchools Reviews
9/25/2024
Excellent school with very rigorous academics. My daughter is in mostly honors/Dual Enrollment courses, and she is very challenged and knows she'll be well-prepared for college. She maintains a 4.33 weighted GPA and 3.83 unweighted. She's on track to graduate with her Associates Degree before she ha...
1/30/2019
Strong disconnect between administration's words and actions. They seem clueless as to what actually happens at their campus. Very fake.
11/6/2018
I attended this high school & my daughter goes there now. It’s been great!
9/26/2018
my sophomore has had her share of difficulties here and still maintains a 3.9-4.0, so overall the 'job is getting done ' but if we as parents settle for just that,than we're not doing our jobs , by the way, the entire band program is EXCELLENT!!! Kudos Mr. Thye
Agents Specializing in Attendance Zone
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Map
Attendance Zone
About Ahwatukee
List Price Range
$300K - $2.1M
Homes For Sale
208
Average Home Value
$617,166
Median Lot Size
4,791 Sq Ft
% Renters
35%
Household Income
$127,984
% of College Grads
53.9%
Median Age
42
Average House Size
2,176 Sq Ft
% Commercial Property
30.2%
Homes for Sale
Homes for Rent
Additional Schools in the Area
Public Schools shown may be Choice Schools
Choice Schools
Choice schools may not serve this home. Please check the school district website to see all schools serving this home.
Parks in this Area
Lakewood Playground
- Fishing
- Trails
- Playground
Sun Ray Park
- Baseball/Softball
- Basketball
- Grills
Desert Foothills Park
- Baseball/Softball
- Basketball
- Picnic Area
Vista Canyon Park
- Baseball/Softball
- Basketball
- Grills
Western Star Park
- Basketball
- Picnic Area
- Tennis
Mountain Vista Park
- Baseball/Softball
- Basketball
- Grills
Pecos Park
- Basketball
- Dog Park
- Football
Additional Neighborhoods in this Area
South Mountain
Mountain views near the South Mountain Park and Preserve and downtown Phoenix
Guadalupe
Small community with rich history and proximity to many Tempe amenities
Central City
The center of the action in Phoenix, from restaurants to entertainment
Laveen
A quickly growing suburb of Phoenix with large parks and new eateries
South Tempe
Expansive area providing proximity to Phoenix and Arizona State University
West Chandler
Affordable homes among a bustling business corridor
Desert Vista High School is a public school for students in grades 9-12 in Phoenix, AZ and is served by the Tempe Union High School District in Arizona. The school has a total enrollment of 3,032 and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 22:1. Academic records show that 74% of students achieve proficiency in math, and 74% are proficient in reading. Desert Vista High School has received feedback and ratings, with a Niche grade of A and a GreatSchools Rating of 7 out of 10. The average GPA is 3.56, the graduation rate is 94%, and average standardized test scores include an SAT score of 1270 and an ACT score of 27. The average home value in this area is $617,166. Discover additional schools in the area, like Mountain Pointe High School, Brightmont Academy, BASIS Ahwatukee, and more. Learn more about what Phoenix has to offer, and browse homes for sale and for rent near Desert Vista High School.