Desert Edge High School

After reading the other reviews, I just had to add my two cents to the mix. My daughter was a Sophomore this past academic year and I tend to agree with the students comments of the school. We have been active at the school since our daughter started and we have found both the educators and the administrative staff to be very receptive and supportive. The academics are well balanced and many AP and honors classes are offered to get a head start on college. I am proud we have a student in Desert Edge and look forward to two more years like the last two. By the way, our daughter is very active in the Advanced Placement (AP) classes, so if they were lacking in that area, we would know it.
—Submitted by a parent

Okay so I am a Sophomore at Desert Edge High School right now. My brother graduated in the second graduating class of 2007. So I have pretty much been around this school for awhile. I want to clarify a few things one of the parents posted on March 30, 2011. Desert Edge is not a "large an active drug culture". This post was submitted by a parent. They wouldn't necessarily know. I have been here for 2 years so I would know. My brother went there for 4 years so he would know too. If Desert Edge is so bad like that parent claims it to be then why I kid you not is there at least 1 student every one or two months transferring from Verrado? Desert Edge has great caring teachers. There is a drug problem at our school, but it is very little. Teenagers are constantly exploring new things & trying new stuff. Don't give the school a bad name 'cause students try this all around the world. Desert Edge has an AMAZING athletic program. Especially in Football, Cheer, Men's Basketball, Softball, Baseball, and Track. All these sports in the 2010-2011 season have made it to the state playoffs. As a student of Desert Edge i would highly reccomend this school if your moving to the West Valley.
—Submitted by a student

This is an unimpressive school. The academics, with the exception of a few excellent teachers, are mediocre at best. The students are loud and behave innapropriately. There is a large and active drug culture within the school. The administration is top-heavy and runs the school ineffectively. The "academy" program being instituted next year is based off of incorrect assumptions of job availability and locks students into one of three fields of study. The program is a waste of money and doomed to fail. The school also has an oversized focus on athletics and not enough focus on academics. Parents, Get on to the waiting list for a variance to Verado as quickly as you can. Don't send your kids hear.
—Submitted by a parent

DE is not the best school out there but it is definitely a good school. The AP World History And APUSH(AP US History) is amazing. The school does have have problems with admin and it is focused heavily on sports but their are also programs for college and other careers like dental assistance, cosmetology, and auto mechanics. The comment below me mentioning Verrado has got it wrong. Desert Edge is not "a large and active drug culture." Yes there is student who do drugs, like in any school, but I've heard of Verrado's infamous courtyard used for hook ups during the school day. All schools have their rumors. Although it may not be amazing it is a good school and definitely worth checking out. The one thing this school has that no other in the district has is an AMAZING Student Government.
—Submitted by a student

The school seems to push so much after school activity but also sends home the same amount of homework as any other school. It's unfair how they want us involved but also expect our work to get done.
—Submitted by a student

I love this school beacause there is such a good spirit and great teachers

We have had three children go through this school, There are many good teachers, but unfortunately many poor ones. The poor ones know less than my children and seem to be there only to coach. The way administration handles problems is atrocious. The buck seems to get passed. They make a huge deal out of small infractions, but push the major ones under the rug. Thank goodness my children are done after this year. Another thing, the counselors will try and push the AP classes telling you that it will help your child's grade point average. We found out that colleges could care less about weighted GPAs and only look at unweighted ones. They admitted that the district tells them to push those classes, why?
—Submitted by a parent

I graduated Desert Edge in '07. My brother's class was the first class to graduate. When I went there it was not bad at all. I found it easily to get along with the teachers and found them very understanding of issues that high schoolers are going through. There was a vast amounts of clubs and classes. I did find the classes to be the right amount of students and in my honors classes there wasn't a lot of trouble with students. The only downfall that I have to say was the 'mosh pit' of students that would be in the hallway while trying to get to class and everybody waiting for the bell to just run into class last minute. It was ridiculous at times; but that is high schoolers for you. Kids are kids, what can you do? :)
—Submitted by a student

I am very dissapointed with this school, is horrible, being part of the same school district you can see the difference between Desert Edge and Verrado Academics programs. Verrado is design to have succesfull people going to University right away like pre-enginering programs, Desert Edge is desing to put kids right away at work force beacause is not expectacion to sent them to College. No idea WHY schools have differents aproach if they belong to same district, NO IDEA WHY we can not have the right to pick up the school is better for our kids. Mayority of teachers as Desert Edge are rude, careless, no discipline, no organization, kids do whatever they want, kissing, rubing eachother at the middle of the halls. Administration peple worse, no cortesy at all. My kid is already attending this school for the last year AND IS A MESS.
—Submitted by a parent

As a teacher at Desert Edge High School, I see the best of teenagers every day. Teens get a bad reputation in today's society because of the mistakes of a few, but my students are loving, caring, respectful, inquisitive, and make me love my job. I want my school to get the recognition it deserves!
—Submitted by a parent

Desert Edge is a great school, dont get me wrong i had some problems but loved it in the end. I was a Senior last year '09, but had to drop out due to personal reasons. Hopefully I will be going back to DE to finish my senior year this upcoming year. So yay!!!
—Submitted by a student

Our daughter has attended DEHS since her sophmore year and she is going to be a senior in the fall. We have always been impressed with the teachers and the way they communicate with parents. We are hands on parents and we appreciate it. The staff is nice and everyone at DE is great. Our son is an athlete and will be playing baseball and football starting this year and will be there as a freshman. We will continue to support this school for its academics and sports programs.
—Submitted by a parent

I am glad my children are students at Desert Edge. My daughter was in the 2nd Graduating class of 2007. All through the years they pushed her academically and stood by her to help her suceed. My son is currently attending and nothing has changed, it has only gotten better. The teachers are VERY helpful and Caring. I wish all students could get the attenction and the feelings of being accepted and appreciated as the Scorpions students. I am a Proud Scorpion parent and if I had to refer any new comers to Arizona, I would send them to Goodyear to live and to attend Desert Edge.
—Submitted by a parent

I love the school teachers they are really good friends and help us a lot....
—Submitted by a parent

I'm a Junior that atteneds Desert Edge. And from the beginning of Freshmen Orientation I fell in love with the atmosphere. Desert Edge is most definately a diverse school, from clubs to sports to ap classes. The teachers are amazing and have experience in what they are teaching. The administration is involved with everyday activities. I recommend Desert Edge High School to anyone who wants to feel welcomed and respected!
—Submitted by a student

i am a freshman at Desert Edge and so far i love it. all the staff members are nice and willing to help. there are also many programs for students not just academic but after school activities too. also you can start you own clubs which i think is really cool. i am on the freshman cheer squad and the coaches are really nice and i learn alot. and they are taking their own time to coach us. they are a teacher during the day and then they use their own time to coach and still manage in the classroom the next day.
—Submitted by a student

I am alumni of Desert Edge and am very proud of it. DEHS has wonderful teachers like Sr. english teacher Mr. Todd VanHooser who is also a professional author, and AP english teacher Mr. Humber. Mr. Beal, The theatre teacher, Mr. Rose, a mother teachers and Miss Ashley an english teacher all are amazing and trulely care about students. The teachers aren't only mentors but friends.The Admin. area little overbearing but Dr. Rossi cares about the students opinions. There really are extracurricular activities for EVERYONE. If you can't find one you can start one. The biggest problem other than the crowding is the extreme emphasis on sports. Some classes suffer for it. But all in all, DEHS provided a memorable and pleasant high school experience. DEHS!

This school has too many sports programs and not enough academic support. Who on earth came up with the idea of taking away honors classes?
—Submitted by a student

Most of the staff at this school actually care whether students are doing well or not, unlike many other high schools. They also have so many amazing teachers on campus, including Senior English Teacher Mr. Vanhooser, who a couple years ago won an award for his teaching. Byfar, an amazing school.
—Submitted by a student

i am very disappointed in the schools academics. The honors 9th grade algebra didn't use math books, which made it difficult for students to review and study. A class called College Math is actually a class which teaches what wasn't learned in honors alg/geom class, to me a wasted year in math! English classes are not much better. My daughter repeated all aspects of her English class from 8th grade. The school doesn't offer any programs for higher learners and groups all learning levels together, which makes it a joke for teachers to truly teach, unless teaching an AP class. The classes are 30+ students and behavior issues occur in every class. The teachers can't push the students, without disregarding the slower learners. There are no traditions to speak of and quite a bit of theft, there are no lockers, during PE backpacks are left alone for anyone to rummage.
—Submitted by a parent