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
1280
Average ACT Score
27
Math Proficiency
62%
Reading Proficiency
71%
Average GPA
3.56
Graduation Rate
94%
Niche Grade
A-
B-
A-
C+
B-
A-
A-
C+
Source: Niche
Niche Grade Details
Academics
|
Average GPA
3.56
|
Reading Proficiency
71%
|
|
Math Proficiency
62%
|
|
Teachers
|
Student Teacher Ratio
22:1
Teachers
123
|
Full Time Teachers
123
|
|
Teachers in First or Second Year
5.8%
|
|
College Prep
|
Average SAT
1280
Math
640
Verbal
640
|
Average ACT
27
Math
26
English
27
Reading
27
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
|
Science
14%
State Average
31%
|
Math
18%
State Average
44%
|
Teachers and Staff
|
Students Per Counselor
398:1
|
Student Diversity
|
Male
51.4%
|
Female
48.6%
|
|
Male
51.4%
|
White
49.4%
|
|
Female
48.6%
|
Hispanic
28%
|
|
Economically disadvantaged
20.2%
|
Two or more races
8.2%
|
|
Asian
6.1%
|
Black
6.1%
|
|
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
1,256 Students
Northern Arizona University
744 Students
University of Arizona
698 Students
University of California - Los Angeles
276 Students
Grand Canyon University
251 Students
University of San Diego
200 Students
Mesa Community College
143 Students
Arizona State University - West Campus
141 Students
University of California - Berkeley
129 Students
Arizona State University - Polytechnic Campus
125 Students
What Students Want to Study
Niche users from this school are most interested in the following majors.
Business
304 Students
Psychology
194 Students
Biology
142 Students
Nursing
114 Students
Pre-Medicine Studies
106 Students
Computer Science
99 Students
Marketing
95 Students
Political Science and Government
90 Students
Pre-Law Studies
80 Students
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
72 Students
This School’s Reviews
Niche Reviews
5/4/2026
No clue how this hellhole has such good ratings, DV was the hands down worst place I have ever been. Ew
1/17/2026
Desert Vista has been an interesting school, I have been at DV for two years now and I have made many friends, I have built relationships with some of my teachers i think will last the rest of my high school experience. The things that are bad about the school is the cafeteria food, I rarely enjoy the food there and the worst of all is the football team.
6/11/2025
Desert Vista High School is a pretty good school. I feel safe and the academics are pretty good. I wish the students had more school spirit.
GreatSchools Reviews
12/11/2025
This school doesn't care about the well-being of our students. They push academics beyond a reasonable measure. The pressure for AP classes creates a stressful environment with little focus on balanced schedules or mental health days. This culture contributes to high student burnout and visible stre...
9/7/2025
DV is a large school with a lot of social, academic and activities options. Kids can really find their niche. Most kids care about academics and learning.
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.
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eXp Realty
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438 Total Sales
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Map
Attendance Zone
List Price Range
$300K - $2.1M
Homes For Sale
257
Average Home Value
$610,265
Median Lot Size
4,791 Sq Ft
% Renters
35%
Average Household Income
$127,984
% of College Grads
53.9%
Median Age
42
Average House Size
2,175 Sq Ft
% Commercial Property
32.0%
Homes for Sale
Homes for Rent
$1,299 - $2,024 per month
- Allegro Apartments
- 1 - 3 Beds
- 1-2 Baths
- 684+ Sq Ft
- 4411 E Chandler Blvd
- Phoenix, AZ
$1,194 - $1,837 per month
- San Riva At The Foothills
- 1 - 3 Beds
- 1-2 Baths
- 716+ Sq Ft
- 2155 E Liberty Ln
- Phoenix, AZ
$1,572 - $2,241 per month
- Santa Rosa
- 1 - 3 Beds
- 1-2 Baths
- 789+ Sq Ft
- 3425 E Chandler Blvd
- Phoenix, AZ
$1,275 - $1,850 per month
- Portofino Condominiums
- 1 - 3 Beds
- 1-2 Baths
- 834+ Sq Ft
- 3830 E Lakewood Pkwy E
- Phoenix, AZ
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.
- 9th to 12th
- Public
- 6th to 12th
- Private
- Pre-K to 12th
- Private
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
South Mountain Park/Preserve
Additional Neighborhoods in this Area
Marilyn Ann
Walkable neighborhood just over a mile from downtown Tempe and ASU
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. Annual tuition is $0. The school has a total enrollment of 3,032 and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 22:1. Academic records show that 62% of students achieve proficiency in math, and 71% are proficient in reading. Desert Vista High School has received feedback and ratings, with a Niche grade of A and a GreatSchools Rating of 8 out of 10. The average GPA is 3.56, the graduation rate is 94%, and average standardized test scores include an SAT score of 1280 and an ACT score of 27. The average home value in this area is $610,265. Discover additional schools in the area, like Mountain Pointe High School, Brightmont Academy, 91st Psalm Christian School, and more. Learn more about what Phoenix has to offer, and browse homes for sale and for rent near Desert Vista High School.