Desert Mountain High School: Igniting Excellence in Academics, Arts, and Athletics
Embark on a transformative educational journey at Desert Mountain High School, a beacon of excellence in Scottsdale Unified School District. Our fully comprehensive high school is dedicated to providing students with a well-rounded education that goes beyond the ordinary.
About our Campus
Desert Mountain is known for having a warm and welcoming environment filled with talented, poised, young people driven to excel in all their pursuits. It has the unique distinction of being the only school in SUSD with the rigorous International Baccalaureate program.
Even more, it has robust AP offerings, comprehensive special education programs, thriving arts, and competitive athletics.
Desert Mountain High School opened in 1995 and is located in North Scottsdale, serving approximately 2000 students in grades 9-12. Desert Mountain is ranked 20th within Arizona and #1 high school in Scottsdale by US News and World Report. Students have the opportunity to take AP coursework and exams. The AP participation rate at Desert Mountain is 34%.
In 1998 Desert Mountain became an International Baccalaureate member school and is the sole IB program for the District. In 2022 Desert Mountain received accreditation for the IB Middle Years Programme. We offer a choice of standard, honors Advanced Placement, Middle Years Programme and International Baccalaureate classes. All students in the IB program are IB Diploma candidates.
Total enrollment for 2024 is1,980. The total minority enrollment is 30% and 5% are economically disadvantaged. DMHS is 1 of 5 high schools in Scottsdale Unified School District and offers programs for gifted, English Language Learners and Special Education students. Extensive Career and Technological programs are also available through a partnership with East Valley Institute Technology. Dual enrollment courses are offered through a partnership with Maricopa Community Colleges.
Desert Mountain has state of the art facilities including a 1200 seat auditorium, newly renovated football field, and 18,000 square foot multi-use library.
Desert Mountain High School is accredited through COGNIA and given an A rating by the Arizona Department of Education. DM sports participate in the Arizona Interscholastic Association.
The school year consists of 180 days. Semester classes meet for 54 minutes, five days per week. There are two semesters in a school year and students receive .5 credit per class each semester.
