- Enrollment
- 2,992
- Students per teacher
- 23:1
- Resource Index
- 34/100
Other / mixed grade configuration · Mesa, AZ
Desert Ridge High
Federal NCES profile for Desert Ridge High, including enrollment, faculty, free-lunch eligibility, demographics, and resource indicators - Resource Investment Index 33/100.
2024-25 NCES dataOther / mixed grade configurationNCES 040340002283
👥 S:T ratio 14
🌟 Gifted program 70
🎓 Counselors 16
Scored 0–100 from federal NCES and CRDC indicators, resource allocation, not test scores. Full methodology →
The verdict
Desert Ridge High earns 33/100 on the Resource Investment Index, with class sizes larger than 84% of Arizona schools. It is also one of the largest schools in Arizona.
- #40 of 70
- schools in Mesa · Resource Index
- 33
- Resource Index · Typical
- 21.5:1
- large classes for Arizona
- 15.0%
- free-lunch eligible
Desert Ridge High has class sizes larger than 84% of Arizona schools. Computed live against every Arizona school reporting to NCES.
By Resource Investment Index, Desert Ridge High ranks #40 of 70 schools in Mesa, AZ.
School address
District: Gilbert Unified District (4239) · Arizona
NCES ID 040340002283 Verify on NCES CCD record →
CCD year-over-year · 2022-23 → 2023-24
-62 students YoY
Desert Ridge High held near 2,222 students from 2022-23 to 2023-24 (-62 headcount).
Teacher FTE added 98.8 → 110.8 across the same CCD years.
Source: NCES Common Core of Data public-school universe (2022-23, 2023-24).
Steady CCD campus
-62 students YoY 040340002283 · Mesa, AZ Other · LARGE · TRAD
2,103 enr · 21.5:1 · 15.0% lunch · RII 33
Nearest enrollment peer: Highland High School (2,992 students)
Desert Ridge High held near 2,222 students from 2022-23 to 2023-24 (-62 headcount). Teacher FTE added 98.8 → 110.8 across the same CCD years. Read with this school → · District book → · Arizona schools → · Find another →
Desert Ridge High in the enrollment neighbourhood
Fall enrollment among this campus and nearest district peers
- Highland High
Highland High School
2,992 students
- Gilbert High S
Gilbert High School
2,418 students
- This school
Desert Ridge High
2,103 students
- Campo Verde Hi
Campo Verde High School
1,863 students
- Mesquite High
Mesquite High School
1,303 students
- Greenfield Jun 1,160
Greenfield Junior High School
1,160 students
What this shows Desert Ridge High reports 2,103 students on the CCD universe file.
How Desert Ridge High compares
Desert Ridge High held steady on CCD headcount: ratios and free-lunch share vs Arizona and U.S. means.
| Metric | This school | vs Arizona | Arizona avg | U.S. avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Students per teacher | 21.5:1 | ▲ 26% | 17:1 | 15.7:1 |
| Free-lunch eligible | 15.0% | ▼ 69% | 48.3% | 51.7% |
| Enrollment | 2,103 | top 2% | - | - |
Source: NCES Common Core of Data School-level CCD + state/national means from Public School Universe · 2024-25
21.5:1
Leaner classes than 12% of US schools, heavier class loads than most.
2,103
Bigger than 98% of US schools by enrollment, a large campus nationally.
Equity indicators methodology
Economic need
15.0%
free-lunch eligible
- 69% below the Arizona average of 48.3%
Below the 40% Title I threshold, among the lower-need profiles in the state; federal aid targets individual qualifying students rather than schoolwide programs.
Staffing depth
21.5:1
students per teacher
- 26% above state mean
Top 84% in Arizona - lower ratio than 16% of state schools
Above 20:1, running heavier than the typical U.S. public school; staffing is comparatively stretched.
Funding equity
$10,928
per pupil, district-wide
- below Arizona avg of $13,502
Well below the U.S. average per-pupil spend, a notably leaner funding position that may affect programs, facilities, and staffing.
Support staff
Counselors5.0 FTE
Per 421 students, the combined health-and-guidance staffing load for this school.
Discipline context
27
in-school suspensions + 154 out-of-school
Suspension rate: 1.3 per 100 students. Combined in-school and out-of-school rate: 8.6 per 100 students. Reported via the Civil Rights Data Collection.
Student demographics
White 57.0%
Hispanic or Latino 29.4%
Two or More 6.1%
African American 3.5%
Asian 2.5%
American Indian / Alaska Native 1.0%
Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander 0.4%
Largest group: White at 57.0% of enrollment.
Student-body diversity index 58.3/100
Simpson diversity index - at 58.3, Desert Ridge High is more mixed than the Arizona school average of 47.2.
Programs
AP courses offered 21
Gifted & talented Yes
District finance for Gilbert Unified District (4239) reports $10,928 per pupil (NCES F-33) - open the district page for the full revenue mix.
How Desert Ridge High Compares to District-Mates
| School | Enrollment | Economic Profile | Student-Teacher Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Highland High School | Larger | Similar economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| Gilbert High School | Similar size | Similar economic need | Similar S:T ratio |
| Campo Verde High School | Similar size | Similar economic need | Similar S:T ratio |
| Mesquite High School | Smaller | Higher economic need | Lower S:T ratio |
| Greenfield Junior High School | Smaller | Similar economic need | Similar S:T ratio |
Comparisons are relative to Desert Ridge High's own figures; each column derives from NCES Common Core of Data.
Other Schools in This District
- Enrollment
- 2,418
- Students per teacher
- 21.8:1
- Resource Index
- 38/100
- Enrollment
- 1,863
- Students per teacher
- 21.7:1
- Resource Index
- 34/100
- Enrollment
- 1,303
- Students per teacher
- 20:1
- Resource Index
- 31/100
- Enrollment
- 1,160
- Students per teacher
- 21.5:1
- Resource Index
- 25/100
Similar other schools in Mesa
6 comparable other schools (grades Mixed) serving the same city.
Eastmark High School
Standard public school
1,889 students 23.6:1 students per teacher
Sequoia Choice School Arizona Distance Learning School
Standard public school
1,711 students
Silver Valley Elementary
Standard public school
1,384 students 22.7:1 students per teacher
Astravo Online Academy
Standard public school
849 students
Eagleridge Enrichment Program
Standard public school
694 students 63.1:1 students per teacher
American Leadership Academy Virtual
Standard public school
660 students
Nationwide other schools with similar size or staffing
Out-of-state peers matched by enrollment and by student-teacher ratio, not the same-city or same-district lists above.
Similar enrollment (~2,103 students)
Frequently asked questions about Desert Ridge High
How many students attend Desert Ridge High?
Desert Ridge High has 2,103 students enrolled. It is a public school in Mesa, AZ. CCD year-over-year: 2,284 (2022-23) → 2,222 (2023-24), nearly flat (-62).
What is the student-teacher ratio at Desert Ridge High?
The student-teacher ratio at Desert Ridge High is 21.5:1, which is 26% higher than the Arizona average of 17:1 and 37% higher than the national average of 15.7:1.
What percentage of students receive free lunch at Desert Ridge High?
15.0% of students at Desert Ridge High are eligible for free lunch, compared to the Arizona average of 48.3%.
What is the racial and ethnic makeup of Desert Ridge High?
The largest demographic group at Desert Ridge High is White at 57.0% of enrollment, in Mesa, AZ. Its student body is more racially and ethnically mixed than most US schools, with a diversity index of 58.3/100.
What is the Resource Investment Index for Desert Ridge High?
Desert Ridge High has a Resource Investment Index of 33/100 (typical reported resources relative to schools nationally) based on 3 factors: student-teacher ratio, gifted-program reporting, counselor availability. Not a test-score or academic measure (national median ~41/100, see methodology).
How does Desert Ridge High rank among schools in Mesa?
By Resource Investment Index, Desert Ridge High ranks #40 of 70 schools in Mesa, AZ. This compares federal resource and staffing data among local peers; it is not a test-score or academic ranking. See all schools in Mesa on the city page.
What other schools are in Gilbert Unified District (4239)?
Besides Desert Ridge High, Gilbert Unified District (4239) also operates Highland High School (2,992 students), Gilbert High School (2,418 students), and Campo Verde High School (1,863 students). See the Gilbert Unified District (4239) district page for the complete list.