As the home of the Jaguars for more than 20 years, Desert Ridge High is a public school serving more than 2,000 students in ninth through 12th grades in the Gilbert Public Schools District. Here, the faculty strives to prepare students for productive, happy lives.
Aside from a core curriculum, students can take courses in more than a dozen disciplines through the career and technical education program, ranging from agriscience and culinary arts to sports medicine and software development. To better adapt to a global future, students can also learn Spanish, French, German, American Sign Language or Japanese as one of their electives. Outside of class, aspiring Jaguars pursue their passions in more than 50 clubs and activities, including band, choir, theater and yearbook.
Desert Ridge hosts a robust athletics department with a football stadium and various sports facilities on campus. Students can compete in more than a dozen sports, from football and swimming to basketball and beach volleyball. With a rich calendar of school events on and off the field, every student feels a part of the Jaguar community at Desert Ridge High.
Desert Ridge High School
Public High School
|
Grade 8-12
10045 E Madero Ave,
Mesa, AZ
Gilbert Public Schools
School Details
Student Teacher Ratio
20:1
Average SAT Score
1170
Average ACT Score
24
Math Proficiency
36%
Reading Proficiency
46%
Average GPA
3.57
Graduation Rate
89%
Niche Grade
B+
B-
B
B-
C
B-
B+
B-
Source: Niche
Niche Grade Details
Academics
|
Average GPA
3.57
|
Reading Proficiency
46%
|
|
Math Proficiency
36%
|
|
Teachers
|
Student Teacher Ratio
20:1
Teachers
107
|
Full Time Teachers
107
|
|
Teachers in First or Second Year
27.6%
|
|
College Prep
|
Average SAT
1170
Math
580
Verbal
590
|
Average ACT
24
Math
23
English
24
Reading
25
Science
24
|
|
Number of AP Courses
21
|
AP Pass Rate
61.5%
|
|
AP Math Enrollment
Low
|
AP Science Enrollment
Average
|
|
Other AP Enrollment
High
|
|
Clubs and Activities
|
Girls Athletic Participation
Low
|
Boys Athletic Participation
Low
|
GreatSchools Rating
Source: GreatSchools
GreatSchools Rating Details
Test Scores
|
Science
38%
State Average
31%
|
Math
34%
State Average
44%
|
Teachers and Staff
|
Students Per Counselor
386:1
|
Student Diversity
|
Male
50.2%
|
Female
49.8%
|
|
White
57%
|
Male
50.2%
|
|
Female
49.8%
|
Economically disadvantaged
33.8%
|
|
Hispanic
29.4%
|
Two or more races
6.1%
|
|
Black
3.5%
|
Asian
2.5%
|
|
Limited English proficient
<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
828 Students
Northern Arizona University
659 Students
University of Arizona
433 Students
Grand Canyon University
278 Students
Mesa Community College
204 Students
Arizona State University - Polytechnic Campus
196 Students
Chandler-Gilbert Community College
171 Students
University of California - Los Angeles
160 Students
Arizona State University - West Campus
135 Students
University of San Diego
120 Students
What Students Want to Study
Niche users from this school are most interested in the following majors.
Nursing
148 Students
Business
146 Students
Psychology
135 Students
Biology
120 Students
Pre-Medicine Studies
89 Students
Engineering
52 Students
Computer Science
45 Students
Biomedical Sciences and Molecular Medicine
41 Students
Kinesiology and Exercise Science
40 Students
Forensic Science and Technology
37 Students
This School’s Reviews
Niche Reviews
5/16/2026
I would like to see more resources available for students attending college outside of Arizona. I am having a very difficult time finding financial resources considering I'm choosing to go to college out of state. I'd also like to see more diverse student activities to take into account the various cultures represented at this school.
4/30/2026
We have a very active and popular performing arts program, and everyone loves to go out and see the performances. However, our sports teams all struggle. Most of the teachers and faculty do not care about student success either.
4/26/2026
My experience at desert ridge high school has been filled with challenges and opportunities for growth. At desert ridge there's a lot of things to do if you want to get involved in the school and things like that, which makes it easy to make friends. Most teachers are pretty chill and make learning easy, there's not a lot of school spirit as compared to other schools. But overall it's a good school
GreatSchools Reviews
5/21/2026
Great school. My kids enjoy it. I definitely recommend it
12/19/2025
Your children will not get the support they need from the teachers or administrators at Desert Ridge unless they fit the perfect cookie cutter mold. If your child has any struggles, find somewhere else.
6/24/2025
Great School, great teachers, great students, great community
3/20/2025
Great school has come very far from a few years ago.
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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.
Desert Ridge High School is a public school for students in grades 8-12 in Mesa, AZ and is served by the Gilbert Public Schools in Arizona. Annual tuition is $0. The school has a total enrollment of 2,400 and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 20:1. Academic records show that 36% of students achieve proficiency in math, and 46% are proficient in reading. Desert Ridge High School has received feedback and ratings, with a Niche grade of B+ and a GreatSchools Rating of 5 out of 10. The average GPA is 3.57, the graduation rate is 89%, and average standardized test scores include an SAT score of 1170 and an ACT score of 24. Discover additional schools in the area, like Mesa Christian Academy, Imagine Prep Superstition, BASIS Mesa, and more. Learn more about what Mesa has to offer, and browse homes for sale and for rent near Desert Ridge High School.