Desert Mountain High School

Desert Mountain High School

Public High School | Grade 9-12
12575 E Via Linda,  Scottsdale, AZ
Scottsdale Unified School District
3.8
3.2
1,940 Students
A
Niche Grade

School Details

Head of School
Nikki Wilfert
Student Teacher Ratio
21:1
Average SAT Score
1300
Average ACT Score
28
Math Proficiency
81%
Reading Proficiency
77%
Average GPA
3.53
Graduation Rate
94%

Niche Grade

A
Academics
A-
Teachers
A-
College Prep
B-
Administration
C
Resources/Facilities
B
Clubs and Activities
B+
Sports
C
Food
Source: Niche
Niche Grades

Niche grades and rankings are calculated using dozens of public data sets and millions of reviews. Niche data scientists and user researchers rigorously analyze data and user opinions to assess the key aspects of K-12 Schools, Colleges, and Places to Live. Every month, millions of students and families use the Niche grades and report cards to find the right school or neighborhood.

Niche Grade Details

Academics
Average GPA
3.53
Reading Proficiency
77%
Math Proficiency
81%
Teachers
Student Teacher Ratio
21:1
Teachers
94
Full Time Teachers
94
Teachers in First or Second Year
21.9%
College Prep
Average SAT
1300
Math
650
Verbal
650
Average ACT
28
Math
27
English
28
Reading
28
Science
27
Number of AP Courses
15
AP Pass Rate
78.3%
AP Math Enrollment
High
AP Science Enrollment
Low
Other AP Enrollment
High
Clubs and Activities
Girls Athletic Participation
Average
Boys Athletic Participation
Average

GreatSchools Rating

Source: GreatSchools
GreatSchools Rating
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology

GreatSchools Rating Details

Test Scores

Math
13%
State Average
44%
Science
24%
State Average
31%
GreatSchools Test Scores Rating
GreatSchools
The Test Score Rating reflects annual state test results for this school compared with scores statewide.

Teachers and Staff

Students Per Counselor
354:1

Student Diversity

Female
50.3%
Male
49.7%
White
72%
Asian or Pacific Islander
11.6%
Hispanic
9.4%
Black
3.2%
Two or more races
2.6%
Native American
1%
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
<1%

Specialty School Programs

AP Programs Offered
IB 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 827 Students
University of Arizona 549 Students
Northern Arizona University 384 Students
University of California - Los Angeles 221 Students
University of San Diego 157 Students
Grand Canyon University 138 Students
University of Colorado Boulder 115 Students
Scottsdale Community College 108 Students
University of Southern California 100 Students
University of California - Berkeley 97 Students

What Students Want to Study

Niche users from this school are most interested in the following majors.
Business 297 Students
Psychology 160 Students
Biology 141 Students
Pre-Medicine Studies 103 Students
Marketing 82 Students
Computer Science 80 Students
Finance 69 Students
Pre-Law Studies 64 Students
Political Science and Government 62 Students
Criminology 53 Students

This School’s Reviews

Niche Reviews
3.8 398 Reviews
5.0 Freshman
3/25/2025
My overall experience with Desert Mountain High School is very good. Although I am just a freshman, I have already seen the many opportunities my school allows me to have. For example, I am an International Baccalaureate student who is a part of 5 clubs, as well as a softball player. DMHS is a great school for students with diverse interests such as me.
5.0 Parent
12/19/2024
My son loves it here. It's a big school, but he's managed to find his niche. Solid public school American education with a broad scope of courses to choose from. As a parent, the Parents Association has been active and open, welcoming to new families. A good community spirit.
4.0 Senior
12/3/2024
I'm a senior at Desert Mountain, and I love the sense of community this school offers. As a diploma candidate of IB, I can say that the teachers and resources in the IB programme are top-notch, and the academics are rigorous but also easy to balance with extracurriculars. I've founded one club during my time at DM and taken on leadership positions in numerous more, and I'm grateful for the support I've received from the administration and Student Gov.
GreatSchools Reviews
3.2 17 Reviews
2.0 other
10/8/2024
Very little school spirit or sense of community. In other areas Homecoming is a time where people come together, they kids here barely care, there isn't a reason to care. The layout of the school is like an airport, long hallways are crowded, strange bathroom tiled walls. Bathrooms are either closed...
5.0 other
7/14/2024
I go to this school so I really like it. they offer a great program called ib (I'm in it) and its really nice.
2.0 student
4/30/2024
I’m a current sophomore at this school, been here for both years. The teaching is mediocre, with a lot of teachers dependent on premade slideshows or just 0 instructions/engaging teaching. Some of the teachers are condescending and rude if you ask questions. It’s hard to catch up if your teacher doe...
5.0 student
8/1/2023
I go to school at DM and my teachers are caring, intelligent, and thoughtful. I had one really bad biology teacher last year but otherwise I have been happy. I think it’s sad the parents that come on here to vent. Sometimes it’s the students fall not the teacher or the schools. If you don’t do your...

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Desert Mountain High School is a public school for students in grades 9-12 in Scottsdale, AZ and is served by the Scottsdale Unified School District in Arizona. The school has a total enrollment of 1,940 and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 21:1. Academic records show that 81% of students achieve proficiency in math, and 77% are proficient in reading. Desert Mountain High School has received feedback and ratings, with a Niche grade of A and a GreatSchools Rating of 10 out of 10. The average GPA is 3.53, the graduation rate is 94%, and average standardized test scores include an SAT score of 1300 and an ACT score of 28. The average home value in this area is $1,057,177. Discover additional schools in the area, like BASIS Scottsdale, Mountainside Middle School, Cheyenne Traditional Elementary School, and more. Learn more about what Scottsdale has to offer, and browse homes for sale and for rent near Desert Mountain High School.

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