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
58%
Reading Proficiency
54%
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
54%
|
|
Math Proficiency
58%
|
|
Teachers
|
Student Teacher Ratio
20:1
Teachers
111
|
Full Time Teachers
111
|
|
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
823 Students
Northern Arizona University
661 Students
University of Arizona
431 Students
Grand Canyon University
277 Students
Mesa Community College
202 Students
Arizona State University - Polytechnic Campus
197 Students
Chandler-Gilbert Community College
170 Students
University of California - Los Angeles
157 Students
Arizona State University - West Campus
135 Students
University of San Diego
121 Students
What Students Want to Study
Niche users from this school are most interested in the following majors.
Business
148 Students
Nursing
143 Students
Psychology
135 Students
Biology
116 Students
Pre-Medicine Studies
92 Students
Engineering
50 Students
Computer Science
46 Students
Biomedical Sciences and Molecular Medicine
42 Students
Kinesiology and Exercise Science
38 Students
Forensic Science and Technology
37 Students
This School’s Reviews
Niche Reviews
8/27/2025
Desert Ridge High School is a pretty average school. There are lots of opportunities to take higher level classes, which I appreciate. The weapons scanners can be frustrating, however, along with the policy of needing two assignments put into the grade book each week. I do enjoy that there is a wide array of electives and extracurriculars to choose from.
10/3/2024
The administration and staff are very negligent. They do not care about the safety of students and the environment there is very bad.
9/8/2024
When I moved here in 10th grade, from an other school in Gilbert I first noticed that there was more diversity there than at my other school. For me, that was a positive because the white people tend to group. One of the not so positives is there isn't that much funding and focus put on the visual arts there was more focus on the sports.
GreatSchools Reviews
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.
3/6/2022
This is a great high school. Great teachers and classes!!
Agents Specializing in Attendance Zone
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Map
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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 58% of students achieve proficiency in math, and 54% 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.