Desert Hills’s public schools outscore 67% of Arizona districts
The grade covers the public school district serving Desert Hills, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. On-time graduation in Desert Hills runs at 88%, above the Arizona average (78%). Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Arizona, not nationally.
From Arizona state tests taken in spring 2022, when 98% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Desert Hills’s schools, in brief
Better than its incomes would predict
Among the 163 Arizona towns with household incomes within a quarter of Desert Hills’s, its schools beat 82%, higher than their 67% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Above the state in math, below in reading
Reading proficiency is 39% and math 38% in spring 2022, against 40% and 35% statewide; 88% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 78%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $10,220 per student, against $12,318 across Arizona (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
Six elementary schools, then one middle and one high school
Which elementary school depends on the address; from grade 7 the district’s path is Thunderbolt Middle School, then Lake Havasu High School. See the path ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Desert Hills’s grade
B+: better than 67% of Arizona school districts, #45 of 139 Arizona towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the Arizona average; graduation is the stronger of the two.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Desert Hills, with each school’s own grade.
Pre-K in Desert Hills · depends on your address
Smoketree Elementary School
Grades PK–6 · 543 students · 21:1 students per teacher · in Lake Havasu City
Oro Grande Classical Academy
Grades PK–6 · 367 students · 20:1 students per teacher · in Lake Havasu City
Nautilus Elementary School
Grades PK–6 · 345 students · 19:1 students per teacher · in Lake Havasu City
7th grade in Desert Hills
Thunderbolt Middle School
Grades 7–8 · 734 students · 22:1 students per teacher · in Lake Havasu City
8th grade in Desert Hills
Thunderbolt Middle School
Grades 7–8 · 734 students · 22:1 students per teacher · in Lake Havasu City
9th grade in Desert Hills
Lake Havasu High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,523 students · 22:1 students per teacher · in Lake Havasu City
10th grade in Desert Hills
Lake Havasu High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,523 students · 22:1 students per teacher · in Lake Havasu City
11th grade in Desert Hills
Lake Havasu High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,523 students · 22:1 students per teacher · in Lake Havasu City
12th grade in Desert Hills
Lake Havasu High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,523 students · 22:1 students per teacher · in Lake Havasu City
Desert Hills’s public schools are run by Lake Havasu Unified District, which also serves Lake Havasu City. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
The district
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Close to the state in reading
Desert Hills vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Arizona towns that share Desert Hills’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Desert Hills | B+ | Lake Havasu Unified District |
| Lake Havasu City | B+ | Lake Havasu Unified District |
Every school in Desert Hills
8 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Arizona’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Questions about Desert Hills’s schools
Are Desert Hills’s schools good?
By Arizona’s own tests, yes: the public schools Desert Hills children attend outscore 67% of Arizona’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B+ Schools grade, #45 of 139 Arizona towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 82%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Desert Hills in?
Lake Havasu Unified District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 5,228 students in 9 schools (2024–25).
Where do Desert Hills kids go to high school?
Lake Havasu High School in Lake Havasu City, with 1,523 students; its own test results earn a B.
What is Desert Hills’s graduation rate?
88% of the class of 2023 in Lake Havasu Unified District graduated in four years, against 78% across Arizona.
How much does Desert Hills spend per student?
$10,220 in Lake Havasu Unified District (FY2024), against $12,318 across Arizona. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Parents talk
What Desert Hills families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Desert Hills → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Arizona. Stars are from neighbors.