Desert Ridge High

Desert Ridge High is a secondary school of big scale in MESA, Arizona, part of Gilbert Unified District (4239), hosting 2,103 students in grades 8 through 12. Enrollment runs roughly 233% above the state mean of about 631.

Across the 38 schools in Gilbert Unified District (4239) (31,560 students total), Desert Ridge High accounts for its share of the district's footprint.

On the student-mix side, Desert Ridge High reports that the largest single group is White, at 57% of enrollment. Other groups include 29% Hispanic, 6% multiracial, 3% Black, 3% Asian. Compared to Maricopa County overall, the school's racial mix sits in roughly the same range.

Looking at the economic backdrop, Desert Ridge High lists 107 full-time-equivalent teachers, putting the student-to-teacher ratio at about 19.7:1. The state averages about 20.2:1, putting this campus right in line with peers.

In the broader community, ACS estimates for Maricopa County put median household income runs about $89,300, roughly 37% of adults have completed at least a four-year degree, and census figures put the poverty rate at about 8%. In all, Maricopa County runs 1352 public schools (combined enrollment of about 725,139 students), of which Desert Ridge High is one.

Desert Ridge Jr. High is the nearest neighboring public school, about 0.3 miles from this campus. 8 of the 8 nearest public schools sit inside a five-mile radius.

The school occupies a metropolitan site.

Trend over the last 7 years. Over the past 7-year window, the student count contracted 20%: 2,626 students in 2018 compared to 2,103 in 2025. The White share of enrollment fell from 67% to 57% over that span. The student-to-teacher ratio pulled in from 22.4:1 in 2018 to 19.7:1 today.

On allk12, posts here usually surface around enrollment questions, classroom assignments, and PTA news. Parents, students, alumni, and staff are welcome to weigh in.