Mountain Ridge High School

22800 North 67th Avenue

School District

Deer Valley Unified District
Grade

7-12
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:25
Type

public

School Map for Deer Valley Unified District

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 August 16, 2023

A lot of vaping on campus during school hours. Deterring this problem for students seems impossible. Very concerning.
Submitted by parent on May 20, 2023

This school has it all for both the student and parents. It’s all there the teachers are exceptional. All one has to do is ask. All three of my kids had educational opportunities to develop for college. One became a chemical engineer who also went on to get her MBA. My second kid got a degree in biochemistry and an MBA. My last kid became bio pre-vet and is headed for vet school. The ground work for their college success was founded a Mountain Ridge. Parents you must be involved tho the school cannot do it all. Teachers are there if you need them. I cannot thank them enough for their engineering curriculum, biological and anatomy program! Marketing and DECA program! Athletics was great to track, cheer and swim teams! Take all students! It’s all there if you want it!
Submitted by parent on June 03, 2022

The teachers and staff were really the greatest I highly recommend this school. They help children to manage whatever their needs are to do well in school.
Submitted by parent on February 09, 2022

I would NEVER Recommend This high school unfortunately it's the one that my son can be bussed too. They do not encourage a student's wellbeing nor mental health.
Submitted by parent on February 04, 2020

I think it's a great school. My freshman and junior both love their school.
Submitted by parent on September 26, 2016

Overall Mountain Ridge is a very good high school with the majority of the teachers being exceptional. I feel that my child is receiving a strong education and many of the teachers are truly experts in their field. There have been a couple of Science teachers (not Ms. Schramm - love her) that could benefit from some mentoring on organizational skills and how to communicate to teenagers - being condescending does not work, it only make them lose respect for you and dislike your class and it is not how people speak to each other in the "real"world. With that said, some of the best English, History and Math teachers work here and THE best Spanish teacher in the Valley (Mr. Ormsby).
Submitted by parent on April 23, 2016

I am a parent of 2 children who attended and graduated from Ridge. From the administration down to the teachers, everyone was professional and caring. The quality of the teaching staff, their dedication and willingness to spend outside time helping and tutoring students is amazing. The school has one of the top rated AP curriculum's in the state, incredible passing stats, a great honors program. One student of mine took majority honors and AP classes, my other student took Honors, Dual Enrollment and AP classes. They have prepared my kids for college and the challenges they will face.
Submitted by student on December 19, 2014

I have gone to Mountain Ridge for all four years of high school, and I will be graduating in 2015. The education is a bit of a mess. Basically, half the teachers act like their teaching college and the other half act like they're working a day care. The quality of education a student receives at MRHS is left entirely up to which teachers they are given. Same goes for grades. I have had two extremely bitter and unhappy teachers that simply refused to give out As. I have also had teachers that have great personalities but give everyone As and Bs. The school really doesn't care about the education. ALL THEY CARE ABOUT IS CRIME. They are constantly searching kids for drugs or weapons that don't exist and harassing students that make "threats". They should stop focusing all their time on catching students doing something bad and actually focus on teaching. The admin is likely unaware of the teaching issues because they send around administrators to observe the teachers, but the teachers act entirely different when admin is present. The teachers even warn the students that if they misbehave when admin is there, they'll get penalized in grading.
Submitted by student on August 28, 2013

If you read all the other posts, you will see that many people say that the school doesn't care about kids that aren't in honors or AP. Let me just tell you, that is not true. Many of the parents that are complaining probably just listen to what their child says, but what the child says isn't necessarily true, just his/her perspective. I take both honors and regular classes, and the teachers do great in both. They challenge the students, even the struggling ones, to do the best they can do. Most teachers, except in AP, which is to be expected, will even take the time to go back and help people who are struggling with a unit. I am currently a sophomore at the school, and I have to say that I am loving it. The administration does amazing considering the school has over 2000 students. Also, the teachers are great at settling down the kids in the classroom so they have plenty of time to teach. This school deserves the 5 stars I gave it, and don't listen to the students who didn't try, or the parents who didn't get involved.
Submitted by parent on August 13, 2013

Principal & special education teachers are not prepare to help kids with special needs specially autistic kids, they really need a lot of training, they just want model kids
Submitted by student on June 02, 2013

I graduated from MRHS and wanted to share my experience. I was a year round varsity athlete (Basketball/Track) and A+ student. I had an amazing 4 years there and loved all the diversity of classes. I especially liked that they had dual-enrollment options, i had 80% of my freshman year of college compete before graduating MRHS. Classes were challenging. Teachers are awesome and supportive! With many students, you're bound to make friends somewhere! Like anything else, you do need to apply yourself to be successful... Thanks to a solid foundation from MRHS, I now have a Bachelors of Physiology /Chemistry from the University of Arizona.
Submitted by teacher on April 13, 2013

Mountain Ridge school provides students with a 21st century education! Students get the opportunity to track their own data and take ownership of their learning through goal setting and focusing on research based strategies. The teachers and administration are wonderful and very supportive of student needs. There are more than 40 clubs that students can participate in and a ton of school spirit! Your child will definitely graduate feeling prepared for college or a career, whichever path they may choose!!
Submitted by parent on March 15, 2013

My Daughter has had an excellent education here with teachers who are really involved and want their students to do well. My student worked hard and had a great relationship with the math and chemistry departments. She had a great experience with athletics and clubs. The resources here are very good. She has a full ride to ASU in Chemical Engineering and I give credit to her and to the exceptional teachers at Ridge. It is all there if you reach for it. If you think someone owes you something you won't succeed anywhere.
Submitted by parent on July 12, 2011

My son transferred from the Peoria district where he failed almost all of his first semester classes his junior year. His mother and I were resigned to the fact that he would not graduate. As a senior at Mountain Ridge, my son developed the discipline to achieve his academic goals. The administration and counseling office went out of their way to help him be successful and as such he graduated in the spring of 2011. He has since become a U.S. Marine and this probably would not have occurred if he had not gone to Mountain Ridge High School. Our family owes a debt of gratitude to Mountain Ridge s staff and administration for working with us and him.
Submitted by teacher on July 12, 2011

Two of the greatest aspects of Mountain Ridge High Schools are its committment to excellence and the wide variety of clubs and activities available to students. Each year, the school holds a club rush event so that students can learn about all the clubs on campus. Some groups are academic, some involve community service while others are related to sports. The overall campus feel is safe and inviting. Additionally, both the rigor and content of the honors and AP classes are wonderful. Students are fully prepared for success in college and beyond. Having worked in two other schools prior to coming to Mountain Ridge, I can honestly say that MRHS is a truly outstanding school.
Submitted by parent on June 29, 2011

This school is too big... if your student is an A and loves to be involved in extra circular activities, they will like it if they like crowds. If you student is average and struggles, they will not do well. With only 50 min classes, it takes 10-15 min to settle the students down, then the teacher only has time to give out assignments, no time for real lessons or walking thru and helping a student understand. The teachers and staff may have cared but without resources and so many students, the kids that can't stay before/after school to get the help drowned.
Submitted by other on June 04, 2011

I think that Coach Jack MacDonald is an excellent summer league baseball coach. I hope that he is maintained as a solid staff member of the sports program. Our grandson is on the summer instructional league and is learning so much. He learns how to develop into a fine and respected young man as well as a great ballplayer. Thank you Coach Mac, and thank you Mountain Ridge for staffing such a fine man
Submitted by parent on April 21, 2011

MRHS is outstanding! Our children have the advantage of selecting from a variety of great academic programs as well as extra-curricular activities. Their teachers are passionate about their subjects & caring of their students. Of course, we as parents are very involved & have found the staff & administration to be helpful & competent. Positive direction from the top provides great direction for students & staff. This is truly an excellent school.
Submitted by other on February 28, 2011

I worked for this school and now work for Peoria. I can say MRHS does not challenge students but rather babies them along. AP and Honors classes are the level of regular academic classes at most other schools. The accounting/business classes are a complete joke. In fact the entire CTE department needs an overhaul. Admininstration has lost touch with reality. Its time to clean house MRHS.
Submitted by parent on February 26, 2011

Mountain Ridge is an amazing school. Our daughter has only had the benefit of two years, and we are so sorry that we didn't move her sooner. We cannot believe the difference in education and opportunities found between the 2 schools less than 5 miles apart. Mrs. Durazo is absolutely amazing, and a HUGE benefit for the school and their arts program. We cannot thank the school enough for what they have done for our daughter. If you live anywhere near Mountain Ridge, and your child is interested in Music, there is NO other choice.