At a glance
Reported students
925
NCES CCD 2024–25
Teachers (FTE)
47.6
NCES CCD 2024–25
Student–teacher ratio
19.4:1
Calculated; not a class-size measure
Grades served
07–08
NCES preliminary directory 2025–26
School benchmarks
Arizona middle enrollment
94th percentile
Compared with 211 same-level schools reporting enrollment.
District median enrollment
617.5
Desert Ridge Jr. High: 925 reported students.
State peer staffing position
61st percentile
19.4:1 reported; state peer median 18.2:1. Ratio is not class size.
Historical enrollment and staffing · CRDC 2021–22
These older figures are kept separate from 2024–25 statistics and benchmarks. Differences between years can reflect changes in enrollment, staffing, or reporting scope.
- Students
- 1,037
- Teachers (FTE)
- 49.2
- Student–teacher ratio
- 21.1:1
What the reported data says about Desert Ridge Jr. High
Desert Ridge Jr. High is a public middle school serving grades 07–08 in Mesa. It is one of 38 current school records connected to Gilbert Unified District (4239). NCES reports 925 students for 2024–25.
Among 211 middle schools in Arizona with comparable records, this school is larger than the reported median of 498 students. Its enrollment is at approximately the 94th percentile for that peer group. Size describes the campus, not instructional quality.
The reported student–teacher ratio is 19.4:1, close to the Arizona median of 18.2:1 for the same school level. This ratio uses total enrollment and teacher FTE; it is not an average classroom headcount and can be affected by special programs or part-time staffing.
The largest reported race and ethnicity groups are White (57.3%) and Hispanic or Latino (29.9%). English learners represent 6.5% of enrollment. Students served under IDEA represent 14%. These figures help families understand who the school serves; they are not rating inputs.
The 2021–22 civil-rights collection reports gifted and talented programming. Program availability changes, so families should confirm the current catalog and participation rules directly with the school.
Questions worth asking Desert Ridge Jr. High
- 1How do the reported 19.4:1 student–teacher ratio and 47.6 teacher FTE translate into actual class sizes by grade?
- 2Which advanced, gifted, career, arts, and computer-science courses are available this year, and how do students qualify?
- 3What counseling support is available today? The school reported 3 counselor FTE in 2021–22.
- 4What meal assistance, transportation, after-school, and family-support services are currently available?
Enrollment needs
- English learners
- 6.5%
- Students with disabilities
- 14%
- Lunch program
- Yes participating without using any Provision or the CEO
Reported support staff
- Counselors (FTE)
- 3
- Nurses (FTE)
- 1
- Psychologists (FTE)
- 0.2
- Social workers (FTE)
- 1
CRDC 2021–22 full-time-equivalent counts; verify current assignments with the school.
Student demographics
Race and ethnicity share of reported enrollment
- White57.3%
- Hispanic29.9%
- Black3.7%
- Asian1.9%
- American Indian / Alaska Native0.4%
- Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander0.4%
- Multiracial6.3%
Race/ethnicity: NCES CCD 2024–25. English learner and disability context: CRDC 2021–22. Lunch eligibility: NCES CCD 2024–25. Privacy rules can produce missing values.
Programs reported by the school
Gifted and talented
Offered
CRDC 2021–22: the AP flag records student enrollment; gifted and computer-science fields describe reported programs/classes. Confirm current courses and eligibility with the school.
Other schools in Gilbert Unified District (4239)
Start with campuses at the same school level or with similar reported enrollment.
Highland Jr High School
Middle · Grades 06–08
961 reported students
South Valley Jr. High
Middle · Grades 07–08
875 reported students
Greenfield Junior High School
Middle · Grades 06–08
1,160 reported students
Mesquite Jr High School
Middle · Grades 06–08
648 reported students
Greenfield Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–06
919 reported students
Canyon Rim Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–06
905 reported students
Public schools near Desert Ridge Jr. High
Closest campuses by straight-line distance between NCES geocodes, favoring the same school level. Distance is not drive time or an attendance assignment.
| School | Grades | Students | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Imagine East Mesa Middle Middle · Charter · Imagine Middle at East Mesa Inc. (88369) | 07–08 | 140 | 1.6 mi |
| Imagine Superstition Middle Middle · Charter · Imagine Superstition Middle Inc. (90160) | 06–08 | 158 | 3.3 mi |
| Cactus Canyon Junior High Middle · Apache Junction Unified District (4443) | 06–08 | 527 | 3.6 mi |
| Smith Junior High School Middle · Mesa Unified District (4235) | 07–08 | 707 | 4.1 mi |
| Highland Jr High School Middle · Gilbert Unified District (4239) | 06–08 | 961 | 4.1 mi |
| Fremont Junior High School Middle · Mesa Unified District (4235) | 07–08 | 822 | 5.9 mi |
Frequently asked questions about Desert Ridge Jr. High
What grades does Desert Ridge Jr. High serve?
Desert Ridge Jr. High reports grades 07–08 in the NCES 2025–26 preliminary directory. It is classified as a middle school in Gilbert Unified District (4239).
How many students attend Desert Ridge Jr. High?
Desert Ridge Jr. High reported 925 students in the NCES 2024–25 membership file. That places it near the 94th percentile among 211 Arizona middle schools reporting enrollment. The 2021–22 civil-rights collection recorded 1,037 students.
What is the student–teacher ratio at Desert Ridge Jr. High?
The calculated ratio is 19.4:1, based on 925 students and 47.6 full-time-equivalent classroom teachers in 2024–25. The Arizona median for the same school level is 18.2:1. A ratio is not the same as average class size.
Is Desert Ridge Jr. High a public, charter, or magnet school?
Desert Ridge Jr. High is a public school and is not a charter school. Enrollment is generally based on Gilbert Unified District (4239) attendance boundaries and transfer rules.
Which school district is Desert Ridge Jr. High in?
Desert Ridge Jr. High is part of Gilbert Unified District (4239), based in Gilbert, AZ, which operates 38 current schools. Confirm attendance zones and enrollment rules with the district.
What public schools are near Desert Ridge Jr. High?
The closest public schools by straight-line distance include Imagine East Mesa Middle (1.6 mi), Imagine Superstition Middle (3.3 mi), Cactus Canyon Junior High (3.6 mi). Distance does not determine eligibility; attendance boundaries and program rules do.