Desert Hills High School

1515 South Val Vista Drive

School District

American Charter Schools Foundation D.B.A. Desert Hills High
Grade

9-12
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:15
Type

charter

School Map for American Charter Schools Foundation D.B.A. Desert Hills High

GreatSchools Rating

The school rating calculation is based on four ratings: the Student Progress Rating or Academic Progress Rating, College Readiness Rating, Equity Rating, and Test Score Rating each designed to show different facets of school success. Learn more about GreatSchools Ratings

Reviews

Submitted by parent on February 20, 2025

This school has been amazing for my daughter. We transferred her to DHHS after some academic and behavioral problems at our local high school. The staff and teachers are very responsive, caring, and collaborative. They know all the students and the dynamics between students (i.e., who hangs out with who, students' personalities). The small size allows them to stay on top of behavioral and safety concerns. It is a night and day difference working with the staff here vs the public high school. The work is challenging enough and the school does their best to help students be successful. They carefully picked classes to start my daughter with that would not be overwhelming to help her transition to the school. The block system of classes is helpful because my daughter is more easily able to stay on top of 3 classes vs 6 classes like in a traditional high school and the expectation is that work is done during the school day with little to no required homework (unless a student is behind or misses school). My daughter says she likes this school much better because everyone knows everyone and the people are "real". She also likes not having to go to school on Fridays. They offer clubs and activities for the students and have proms just like a regular high school. My daughter loves Market Day, when students have the ability to sell things they have made. They organize social events outside of school hours for the kids. We appreciate that they have a bus as well. I am so appreciative of this school and the staff!
Submitted by other on June 25, 2024

This school is amazing for anyone who feels like they don't fit in at a traditional school or know they'll get lost in the crowd. All of the staff takes the time to get to know the students as people and try to be stable adults in their life. I can't say enough good things about this school. If I didn't go here I don't think I would've ever graduated or started college. They have high standards but will help you reach them.
Submitted by parent on August 17, 2017

Amazing school these kids are great I have never seen anything like this they all get along it's amazing
Submitted by other on June 15, 2017

Not only was this school the best place I’ve ever been to, but it’s the best place for my younger sister, who struggles with learning disabilities.They gave me the best memories, the greatest friendships and the greatest chance I’ve had at being successful in life and I’m excited for my sister to get to experience her next three years here, and be able to tell me all about it.
Submitted by parent on September 25, 2016

My daughter is new to this school and is in her Junior year. PROS: 1) the school does not tolerate physical fighting and will contact the police as necessary. Also, they have expelled the students involved in the fighting, where necessary.. 2) The teachers are very invested in the students and work to help them succeed by working one on one and helping them to stay on task with assignments. 3) the school week is 4 days, w/ Friday as a catch-up day if they should miss a day or need extra assistance. 4) bussing is available for our neighborhood, as we're several miles away....... CONS: 1) emails go unanswered, so best to call or go in to the office 2) communication is largely by Facebook and would prefer to have direct emails instead, as I am not a daily user of FB and my husband does not use FB at all. 3) just a handful of clubs offered and no sports at all; so very limited options to bond with their class mates and items to put on college applications as well as stay fit.
Submitted by other on June 02, 2015

I like the school because of its small campus. I can be myself here and not worry about what other kids say. They don't care what color my hair is or what kind of car my mom drives. I used to go to MT View and the kids complained if their parents bought them a new Chevy instead Lexus. All the teachers here care about you and your future. The lunch sucks though. Should allow students to order out for lunch or let us leave for lunch.
Submitted by parent on April 24, 2015

I'm so happy that we found Desert Hills. We moved to Arizona in October and could not find a school that would accept my daughter in the middle of the semester. One of the schools suggested Desert Hills because of their block schedule. They welcomed us and accepted my daughter right away. They've made sure that she's on track to graduate on time and even offered her a plan to graduate early if she wanted. Great school & people.
Submitted by parent on April 24, 2015

Love the school. It's a smaller school where my child has thrived!!! The staff is fabulous. It's not just about academics at Desert Hills they care about the whole child and work to meet the needs of parents and students. I'm very happy with the school and would recommend it.
Submitted by parent on April 23, 2015

I just want to say that I'm so thankful for this school. Earlier this year my son got into a fight and was expelled from his Gilbert school. When we came to Desert Hills the principal told my son that he would have a clean slate if he walks through the doors of Desert Hills, but that he would still be held accountable for the same rules and hopefully he learned from his past mistakes. If this is what people mean when they say that Desert Hills is a 2nd chance school I'm happy it is. My son has taken that 2nd chance and has done well at the school. The teachers really care and contact me if my son has any absences or missed school work. At first he just wanted to go to Desert Hills and earn his credits so he could go back to Gilbert next year, but he now wants to stay at Desert Hills. I don't really know what happened in the past there, but I think it's a very good school now.
Submitted by student on April 22, 2015

This is my senior year and I'm graduating. I was planning to go to a different school last year, but the new principal that took over changed Desert Hills so it's so much better than it was. All the stuff that is online is all old stuff and about the old school. There's a new principal, new assistant principal, and almost all new teachers. They all care about students and education. They changed rules and enforce them. It feels great to be able to sit in class and hear the teachers and discuss topics. I only earned 1 college credit this year, but wish I had a chance to earn what the students coming here now can get. I'll miss Desert Hills.
Submitted by student on April 09, 2015

I'm in 9th grade and really like Desert Hills. I decided that I wanted to go here because you can start getting college credits in 9th grade. I'll finish this year with 9 college credits already besides my regular high school credits
Submitted by student on April 09, 2015

I've been here for three years and the new teachers this year are great teachers! They really care about you and your success. Fridays are used for helping students that need extra help. The new principal made sure all the students followed the rules and some students were mad at that change, but all the students now really like the new school.
Submitted by student on October 28, 2014

my school is awesome. theres no school on friday. unless that is you miss a school day on monday through thursday. so overall i think this school is a great school.
Submitted by student on October 28, 2014

I think this school is great, but there are some people that don't really belong here. I think the teachers need to be a little harsher on students about phones and such. They get away with a lot. Other then that, I think the school is good.
Submitted by other on May 29, 2014

Desert hills high school it is a school for second chances were students don't have to worry about their personality or bullying it might seem like that kind of school but it isn't....you will find teachers that they all love....they care about our students and help as much as possible....unless the new principle fires all those teachers that the students get along with....he came to the school got rid of all the students that didn't want to learn and were no point of being there....but expelling students that can't get accepted any where else because they wanted a circle k drink before school....why pay something that's 1.50 but is only half the drink of a 44oz....the principle needs to realize all of us students who actually try to learn and they get searched for no reason because according to the new principle " inside this school im above the law! " his actual words... he needs to realize that isn't right and all of us DHHS students aren't all bad:)
Submitted by parent on May 20, 2014

Desert Hills is a fantastic school, the staff really cares about your child. They take the time to listen to the students and really help them. Students feel a sense of family while attending. Mr. Madden is retiring, there is a new principal with great ideas and new programs that will take DHHS to new heights!!! As a parent I am excited to see how they improve an already GREAT school.
Submitted by teacher on October 27, 2013

Desert Hills HS is heavily into conversion the Common Core standards. This is most important in the Math curriculum as many changes and challenges are part of the new plans. The new PARC test will require problem solving and analysis techniques that many students have not been exposed to in great detail. The new curriculum will address those issues.
Submitted by parent on August 01, 2013

Worst school in Arizona. Police are there almost every day. Most of the children are on drugs. If you love your child, do not send them here.
Submitted by other on June 20, 2013

As a graduated student from Desert Hills, I loved my school. I started high school off in the Higley school district and was miserable to say the least. I ditched school, failed classes and got mixed in with "the wrong crowd". While at Desert Hills I completely caught up and was able to graduate on time. I wasn't ostracized because of my clothing choices and I didn't feel the need to try to impress my peers. Unfortunately there is a negative stigma attached to going to Desert Hills, resulting from the infamous amount of drug users and arrests occurring at this school. I believe this school is good for teenagers who have already "found themselves". The younger students may fall into the wrong crowd more easily. This is the beat school when trying to catch up on credits. Whether you're child is right for this school boils down to how they have been raised and their attitude about drugs and fighting. The administration does a wonderful job dealing with students issues and treats them like adults rather than children. Every school has its good and bad sides, and while DHHS has some very strong negatives, I believe the positives out-way them, by far.
Submitted by student on April 19, 2013

My economics class was great. I loved it and learned a lot. It was my favorite class, I looked forward to coming to school only because of this class. I liked how the teacher was so interactive with us and let us have fun with lessons. I learned a lot, like what Republicans and Democrats are and how they view our economic system. I now know what credit is and how it is earned and how it works. Keep doing what you're doing Mr.B, you're one of my favorite teachers.