This school and the very dedicated teachers help the students reach their potenial.
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Posted by a parent on 09/16/09
I went to desert mountain and yes, was part of the IB program. IB was where the students who went to the top tier universities came from and its obvious why. I was so prepared for my university, which is top tier, even more prepared than some of my peers here who did AP at their high schools and were
... Read more top of their class. IB just fosters an environment of intellectual stimulation, and yes pulls the best teachers for an obvious reason - its got the best students who are eager and ready to learn. I can't say much about the non-IB courses. However, extracurricular at GW were great. the arts - from drama to music to visual arts were at least while I was there top notch. People who put down DMHS are those who don't put forth the effort to get everything they can out of the school. Read less
Posted by a student on 11/24/08
A+++ school. Desert Mountain is a nationally ranked school. They have fabulous teachers for all students. The students are very nice and respectful.
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Posted by a parent on 06/12/08
It is the worst school. My first day of teaching the teachers told me I could not be creative, I had to teach exactly what and how they taught and I was required to submit lesson plans to them in advance so they could approve.
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Posted by a teacher on 01/08/08
This is a school where you have the opportunity to choose your path. The students who want to succeed in life will take the responsibility and learn and the students who don't care will blow off their classes and teachers. Really, it's not about the quality of the school at all, it's about the quality
... Read more of the students and the community and Desert Mountain has all different varieties. However, as a former student, I will say that many kids think that just because their parents have loads of money that they can do nothing and money will magically appear. Perhaps instead of rating how well a school is preparing kids for life, we should look at parents to start taking some responsibility. A teacher is there to teach their curriculumn to the best of their ability, but they can't teach all students about motivation, success, hard work, determination, etc... Read less
Posted by a student on 11/06/07
I'm a senior this year at DMHS- in the IB program... Some teachers are awful, and some are fantastic... IB is extremely difficult, but worth it if you are willing to work hard for a great academic environment. IB attracts kids who are truly passionate about learning... Kids outside of IB are generally
... Read more pretty snobby, and non-IB teachers tend to be subpar. The adminstration can often be disorganized as well... The school isn't great, but it isn't awful either... Just make smart decisions as to which classes/teachers you choose. Read less
Posted by a student on 08/26/07
I'm a very happy DMHS parent. My son is a senior this year and is not in IB and I have been very happy with his teachers and the school every year. Before sending my son to any of the schools on the Scottsdale Ranch I made sure it was an area we would be happy living in. Its a wonderful area but not
... Read more for everyone. To anyone who thinks its snobbish I can only say 'why are you sending your kids to school with people you don't like?' There are so many other good schools in AZ to choose from other than DMHS if you aren't happy with it. Read less
Posted by a parent on 08/08/07
I just finished my freshman year at DMHS and i thought that it was a terrible school. if it had not been for my close friends i dont know if i would have put up with it for so long. I actually attempted to switch into xavier college prep and unfortunantly, they had no vacancy. i am not an IB student
... Read more but i did attend some honors programs and they were fine. Although, my average classes were TERRIBLE. the teachers were unexpierienced and unprepared to handle the students and there attitudes. Everyone there is sooo stuck up! And, not just that, they have to show it off. i will not be atending desert mountain next year. that is how terrible it really is. Read less
Posted by a student on 08/02/07
I graduated in 2002. I was the first student to receive a national scholarship. I think that my education there was top notch! I was truly prepared for college. I took several IB classes but was not an IB student. I graduated college with a 4.0 at American University. I have lived in 3 other states and
... Read more now have a daughter of my own and I want to move back to Arizona just so I can send her to DMHS! the education at that school compared to not only other schools in Scottsdale but others across the united states is one of the best. I love DMHS! do wolves! Read less
Posted by a former student on 04/25/07
I came to this school from Horizon High School and I find it very disapointing that the IB program tends to drain all the good teachers. Average students who do not take Honors or AP classes will find they are not prepared for college, nor life. I am not in the IB program and I'm happy I'm not. To me
... Read more it seems like an overated honors-class substitute. However, I do take all honors/AP classes, but from my experiance IB=not worth it unless you wish to study outside of the country (It's called International for a reason). Read less
*The resources listed are programs that the institution is staffed to support. Staffing for a program does not guarantee that it will be offered. This content is provided by the institution and may be incomplete. The institution may offer programs not listed here. Please contact the school directly for additional details.
Advanced Placement
AP classes are college-level classes offered at the high school level. Once a student completes an AP class and passes a final comprehensive examination conducted by the College Board, the student earns college credit for the course. AP classes are specific and not to be confused with other higher-level classes such as honors classes.
Before/After School
"Extended day" programs where the school day is extended before and after school to accommodate working parents. These programs should not be confused with common after school clubs or athletic activities.
Gifted and Talented
A school system may identify 10% to 15% or more of its student population as gifted and talented. A brief description of each area of giftedness or talent as defined by the Office of Gifted and Talented:
general intellectual ability or talent - high intelligence test score (usually two standard deviations above the mean), and high levels of vocabulary, memory, abstract work knowledge and abstract reasoning;
specific academic aptitude or talent in one area such as mathematics or language arts;
creative and productive thinking, the ability to produce new ideas;
leadership ability, the ability to direct individuals or groups to a common decision or action;
visual and performing arts, special talents in visual art, music, dance, drama, or other related studies;
psychomotor ability, such as practical, spatial, mechanical, and physical skills.
Vocation/Technical Curriculum
Vocational and/or technical courses offered within a comprehensive school, usually a senior high school.
Special Education Classes
A school or program within a school that provides services and training to students with moderate to severe mental and/or physical disabilities.
Adult Education Classes
Programs offering GED or equivalent courses for adults within regular schools, whether classes are held during evening or daytime schedules.
English as Second Language
English language classes for students whose first language is not English.
Scottsdale schools — Desert Mountain High School is located at 12575 E Via Linda, Scottsdale AZ 85259. 12575 E Via Linda is in the 85259 ZIP code in Scottsdale, AZ The school district for Desert Mountain High School is the Scottsdale Unified School District 48. Desert Mountain High School is a Public school that serves grade levels 9 - 12.
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Test Score Ratings
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Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity
