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
23:1
Average SAT Score
1260
Average ACT Score
27
Math Proficiency
74%
Reading Proficiency
74%
Average GPA
3.55
Graduation Rate
95%
Niche Grade
A
B-
A-
C+
B-
A-
A-
B-
Source: Niche
Niche Grade Details
Academics
Average GPA
3.55
Reading Proficiency
74%
Math Proficiency
74%
Teachers
Student Teacher Ratio
23:1
Teachers
127
Full Time Teachers
127
Teachers in First or Second Year
5.8%
College Prep
Average SAT
1260
Math
630
Verbal
630
Average ACT
27
Math
26
English
27
Reading
28
Science
26
Number of AP Courses
14
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
Low
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%
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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
1,187 Students
Northern Arizona University
707 Students
University of Arizona
697 Students
University of California - Los Angeles
280 Students
Grand Canyon University
247 Students
University of San Diego
223 Students
Arizona State University - West Campus
148 Students
Arizona State University - Polytechnic Campus
126 Students
University of California - Berkeley
119 Students
Mesa Community College
118 Students
What Students Want to Study
Niche users from this school are most interested in the following majors.
Business
274 Students
Psychology
196 Students
Biology
136 Students
Pre-Medicine Studies
128 Students
Nursing
113 Students
Computer Science
88 Students
Marketing
79 Students
Political Science and Government
73 Students
Mechanical Engineering
71 Students
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
66 Students
This School’s Reviews
Niche Reviews
11/11/2024
As a current senior, I feel that my experience at Desert Vista had both its pros and cons. I made some great connections with faculty and some of my peers. The advanced and honors course I took made me feel a rigorous yet balanced workload. However, DV has had its fair share of scandals while I have attending that I will not describe but can be accessed with an easy google search of the news. Therefore, I would recommend DV for its students and curriculums but it is not the safest or most welcoming environment.
11/4/2024
The best part about my high school is the diversity of classes and electives you can take based off your interests. You can prepare for life outside of high school very esrly on. Safety is a negative side and could use work.
8/30/2024
I think there are a lot of available resources. However, you have to search or ask for them. Most of the faculty is amazing, but there are a few bad people.
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
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Map
Attendance Zone
About Ahwatukee
List Price Range
$160K - $5M
Homes For Sale
107
Average Home Value
$617,887
Median Lot Size
4,791 Sq Ft
% Renters
35%
Household Income
$127,984
% of College Grads
53.9%
Median Age
42
Average House Size
2,173 Sq Ft
% Commercial Property
29.8%
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
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