Desiderata Program

Desiderata High School in Phoenix, AZ has an enrollment of 73 students across grades 9 through 12, with a student–teacher ratio reported as 0:1 in recent years due to no assigned teachers.
The school's graduation rate is 50%, which is lower than the Arizona state average of 77% and the Phoenix Union High School District rate of 73%, a trend that has remained stable from 2013 to 2023.
Math proficiency at Desiderata was 29% in 2023, below the state average of 34% but higher than the district average of 13%, showing a decline from a high of 66% in 2013.
Reading proficiency is 39%, which is approximately equal to the state average of 40% and notably above the district average of 20% in 2022, though this represents a decline from over 80% proficiency in 2012.
Hispanic students make up nearly 45% of the student body, followed by Black (29%) and White (22%) students, with free lunch eligibility steady at about 5%, indicating stable socioeconomic composition.

Quick Facts (2026)

  • School Type: Special education school
  • Grades: 9-12
  • Enrollment: 67 students
  • Student-Teacher Ratio: 7:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 78%
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), AZ Dept. of Education

Top Rankings

Desiderata Program ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Arizona for:

School Overview

Desiderata Program's student population of 67 students has declined by 8% over five school years.
The teacher population of 9 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
No Summary generated because only 4 years of data available
Total Students
67 students
View AI Prompt
Total Classroom Teachers
9 teachers
View AI Prompt

School Rankings

The diversity score of Desiderata Program is 0.65, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.66. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
This School
State Level (AZ)
Student-Teacher Ratio
7:1
17:1
View AI Prompt
American Indian
2%
5%
View AI Prompt
Hispanic
49%
49%
View AI Prompt
Black
25%
6%
View AI Prompt
White
22%
33%
View AI Prompt
Hawaiian
2%
n/a
All Ethnic Groups
0.65
View AI Prompt
Eligible for Free Lunch
6%
41%
View AI Prompt
Eligible for Reduced Lunch (03-04)
11%
8%
School Statewide Testing
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), AZ Dept. of Education

Frequently Asked Questions

How many students attend Desiderata Program?
67 students attend Desiderata Program.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
49% of Desiderata Program students are Hispanic, 25% of students are Black, 22% of students are White, 2% of students are American Indian, and 2% of students are Hawaiian.
What is the student-teacher ratio of Desiderata Program?
Desiderata Program has a student ration of 7:1, which is lower than the Arizona state average of 17:1.
What grades does Desiderata Program offer ?
Desiderata Program offers enrollment in grades 9-12
What school district is Desiderata Program part of?
Desiderata Program is part of Phoenix Union High School District (4286).

School Reviews

Review Desiderata Program. Reviews should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:

  • Quality of academic programs, teachers, and facilities
  • Availability of music, art, sports and other extracurricular activities
Rate this school:

Recent Articles

Media Literacy as a Core Skill: How to Tell if a School Teaches It Well
Media Literacy as a Core Skill: How to Tell if a School Teaches It Well
Learn how to evaluate whether a public school teaches media literacy effectively, from fact-checking and source evaluation to digital citizenship and critical thinking.
Screen Time, Paper Learning, and the New Back-to-Basics Debate
Screen Time, Paper Learning, and the New Back-to-Basics Debate
Explore why some public schools are reducing screen time, bringing back paper learning, and rethinking the balance between technology and traditional instruction.
Student Data, AI Tools, and Privacy: Questions to Ask Your District
Student Data, AI Tools, and Privacy: Questions to Ask Your District
Learn how public schools use AI, protect student data, and the key privacy questions every parent should ask their school district in 2026.

Quick Facts (2026)

  • School Type: Special education school
  • Grades: 9-12
  • Enrollment: 67 students
  • Student-Teacher Ratio: 7:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 78%
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), AZ Dept. of Education

Related School Videos

Quick Links