Desert Hills High School is a public charter high school in Gilbert, Arizona. It is operated by The Leona Group, which also operates other charter schools in Arizona, Florida, Ohio and Michigan. As of 2012 Desert Hills inducted the National Business Honor Society program.
Serving 245 students in grades 9-12, Desert Hills High School ranks in the bottom 50% of all schools in Arizona for overall test scores (math proficiency is bottom 50%, and reading proficiency is bottom 50%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 20-29% (which is lower than the Arizona state average of 35%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 20-29% (which is lower than the Arizona state average of 40%).
Minority enrollment is 66% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is equal to the Arizona state average of 66% (majority Hispanic).
Quick Stats (2025)
- School Type: Alternative school / Charter School
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 245 students
- Minority Enrollment: 66%
- Graduation Rate: 30-34% (Btm 50% in AZ)
- Overall Testing Rank: Bottom 50%
- Math Proficiency: 20-29% (Btm 50%)
- Reading Proficiency: 20-29% (Btm 50%)
- Science Proficiency: ≤10% (Btm 50%)
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), AZ Dept. of Education
Top Rankings
Desert Hills High School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Arizona for:
Category
Attribute
Diversity
School Overview
Desert Hills High School's student population of 245 students has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
School Type
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
(No virtual instruction)
(No virtual instruction)
Total Students
245 students
Gender %
Total Classroom Teachers
n/a
Colors
Blue, Silver
School Rankings
Desert Hills High School ranks within the bottom 50% of all 1,956 schools in Arizona (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Desert Hills High School is 0.73, which is more than the diversity score at state average of 0.66. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#1262 out of 1956 schools
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
20-29%
35%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
20-29%
40%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
≤10%
24%
Student : Teacher Ratio
n/a
17:1
American Indian
20%
5%
Asian
n/a
3%
Hispanic
34%
48%
Black
7%
6%
White
34%
34%
Hawaiian
1%
n/a
Two or more races
4%
4%
All Ethnic Groups
Graduation Rate
30-34%
77%
Eligible for Free Lunch
36%
40%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
3%
10%
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), AZ Dept. of Education
School Notes
- School Mascot: Cougar
Profile last updated: 02/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Desert Hills High School's ranking?
Desert Hills High School is ranked #1262 out of 1,956 schools, which ranks it among the bottom 50% of public schools in Arizona.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
20-29% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 35% AZ state average), while 20-29% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 40% AZ state average).
What is the graduation rate of Desert Hills High School?
The graduation rate of Desert Hills High School is 30-34%, which is lower than the Arizona state average of 77%.
How many students attend Desert Hills High School?
245 students attend Desert Hills High School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
34% of Desert Hills High School students are Hispanic, 34% of students are White, 20% of students are American Indian, 7% of students are Black, 4% of students are Two or more races, and 1% of students are Hawaiian.
What grades does Desert Hills High School offer ?
Desert Hills High School offers enrollment in grades 9-12 (No virtual instruction).
What school district is Desert Hills High School part of?
Desert Hills High School is part of American Charter Schools Foundation D.B.A. Desert (79872) School District.
School Reviews
Review Desert Hills High School. Reviews should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:
- Quality of academic programs, teachers, and facilities
- Availability of music, art, sports and other extracurricular activities
Recent Articles

Parents’ Guide to Special Education
Special education law is not easy to decipher, with several regulations that govern special education services for disabled students. In this article, learn about the core components of the laws, rights, and individual education plans that can help create the best public school environment for your child.

Surveillance Cameras: Violation of Rights or Improved Security?
A school district in Virginia has given the green light to schools that want to install surveillance cameras in common areas like cafeterias and hallways. We’ll look at whether this is a violation of student privacy or the best way to keep order in schools.

Teachers in 19 States Allowed to Physically Punish Students
As of 2014, nineteen states still allow corporal punishment – spanking and paddling the most common choices – in their public schools. However, some argue that not only are these punishments physically harmful, they also are disproportionately administered to students of color. As a result, House democrats have taken up the issue in a new bill that would ban all forms of corporal punishment nationwide.