Desert Vista High School

During the 2020–2021 academic year, 2,779 students attended the school, constituting 21.6% of Tempe Union High School District's population, the school is noted to have a bigger proportion of White students than other comparable high schools, including Mountain Pointe High School.{{cite news|last1=White|first1=Kaila|date=May 2, 2016|title=N-word controversy at Phoenix high school altered their senior year, changed district's efforts to combat racism|work=The Arizona Republic|url=https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/ahwatukee/2016/05/02/desert-vista-high-school-girl-n-word-shirt-controversy/82230696/|access-date=December 20, 2017|quote=As a result, the school has a larger White student population than many comparable Phoenix high schools, at 66 percent White, 13 percent Hispanic, 10 percent Asian and 7 percent Black, according to U.S. News & World Report. By comparison, nearby Mountain Pointe High School is 46 percent White, 27 percent Hispanic, 16 percent Black and 5 percent Asian. Central High School in midtown Phoenix is 8 percent White, 67 percent Hispanic, 10 percent Black and 6 percent Asian.}} According to data from the 2020–2021 academic year, 58.1% of the school's student population are classified as White. Students classified as "Hispanics"See Hispanic–Latino naming dispute for details of an ongoing dispute on the naming of US inhabitants who are of Latin American or Spanish origin. form the second biggest demographic bloc, constituting 21.3% of the school's population. {{Citation needed|date=June 2024}}

In 2023, U.S. News & World Report noted that the school's Advanced Placement participation rate is 33% with a passage rate of 76%.{{cite news|title=Desert Vista High School in Phoenix, AZ|work=U.S. News & World Report|url=https://www.usnews.com/education/best-high-schools/arizona/districts/tempe-union-high-school-district/desert-vista-high-school-1103|access-date=February 13, 2025}} In 2022, Desert Vista received an "A+" rating from the Arizona Department of Education with the highest score of any traditional, non-magnet high school.{{cite news|title=Desert Vista High School|work=Arizona Department of Education|url=https://azsbe.az.gov/sites/default/files/media/FY%2022%20Combined%20A-F%20Public%20File%202022-11-01_0_0.xlsx|access-date=November 4, 2022}} According to Public School Review, Desert Vista ranks within the top 10% in Arizona in math proficiency, reading proficiency, and graduation rate. {{cite news|title=Desert Vista High School|work=Public School Review|url=https://www.publicschoolreview.com/desert-vista-high-school-profile|access-date=August 13, 2022}}

Desert Vista is an Arizona Interscholastic Association (AIA) member school offering boys and girls sports complying with Title IX. Student athletes can participate in varsity, junior varsity, and freshmen only teams as well as individual sports under the AIA's 6A Conference.{{Cite web|last=Bordow|first=Scott|title=Bordow: Breaking down the new 6A Conference|url=https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/high-school/2016/07/21/breaking-down-6a-conference-arizona-high-school-football/86188256/|access-date=May 23, 2020|website=azcentral|language=en}} Desert Vista Athletics consist of several sports.{{Cite web|title=Desert Vista (Phoenix, AZ) High School Sports – Football, Basketball, Baseball, Softball, Volleyball, and more {{!}} MaxPreps|url=https://www.maxpreps.com/high-schools/desert-vista-thunder-(phoenix,az)/home.htm|access-date=January 4, 2021|website=www.maxpreps.com}} Desert Vista has won many state championships across a wide variety of sports.{{Cite web|title=Desert Vista High School Athletic Achievements {{!}} TUHSD|url=https://www.tempeunion.org/Page/2155|access-date=August 13, 2022|website=www.tempeunion.org}}

{{div col|colwidth=22em}}

• Badminton
• Baseball - State Champions 1999, 2001 {{citation needed|date=June 2024}}
• Basketball (Boys and Girls) - State Champions (Boys) - 2008, 2020 (Girls) - 2014, 2023
• Cheer (Girls and Coed)
• Cross Country (Boys and Girls) - State Champions (Boys) - 2002, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2021 State Champions (Girls) - 1998, 2000, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2019, 2020 {{citation needed|date=June 2024}}
• Football - State Champions - 1998, 2011
• Golf (Boys and Girls) - State Champions (Boys) - 2016
• Ice hockey (Boys) - State Champions - 2023
• Lacrosse (Boys and Girls)
• Soccer (Boys and Girls) - State Champions (Boys) - 2002, 2005, 2006, 2018, 2022, 2025 (Girls) - 2005, 2016, 2025
• Softball
• Swim and Dive (Boys and Girls) - State Champions (Girls) - 2013, 2016, 2023 (Boys) - 2021
• Tennis (Boys and Girls)
• Track and field (Boys and Girls) - State Champions (Boys) - 2007, 2008, 2009, 2015 State Champions (Girls) - 1999, 2004
• Volleyball (Boys and Girls) - State Champions (Boys) - 2007, 2018 State Champions (Girls) 2014, 2015
• Wrestling{{div col end}}

In 2024, the Desert Vista High School Speech and Debate Team won its 19th state championship, which is the most in Arizona history.{{Cite web|url=https://www.ahwatukee.com/community_focus/article_9da85970-ba9c-11ec-a8e5-2b83abfe88a9.html|title=TU Board applauds DV speech-debate champs

|website=Ahwatukee Foothills News|date=April 18, 2022

|language=en-US|access-date=August 13, 2022}}

The Desert Vista Thunder Marching band has won many competitions, being 9-time champions for the state of Arizona. Marching band is a half semester, zero hour class and one semester of fine art credits can be earned by taking the course. The class can be worth one year of P.E. credit if taken for three years.{{Cite web|url=http://thunderband.org/faq-page/|title=Frequently Asked Questions|website=Desert Vista Thunder Band|language=en-US|access-date=August 21, 2019}} {{Better source needed|date=June 2024}}

Desert Vista High School has been at the center of several controversies since its opening that have garnered local, national, and even international media attention.

In 2001, the school's registrar at the time, Jane Jones, accused then principal Joe McDonald of approaching three teachers at the schools to change the grades for a student-athlete who was being recruited, but was ineligible to compete at a Division I school.{{cite news |last1=James |first1=Daryl |title=Whistle-blower suit claims E.V. principal fixed grades |url=https://www.eastvalleytribune.com/local/whistle-blower-suit-claims-e-v-principal-fixed-grades/article_7698a8ee-eeea-501a-9b7e-a30d27b7d7d9.html |access-date=January 3, 2021 |work=East Valley Tribune |date=September 27, 2003}} McDonald allegedly approached the teachers after being asked by then-Tempe Union High School District Superintendent James Buchanan to see what can be done to help the student. School district administrators admitted four years later, in 2005, that grades were changed for the softball student-athlete two months after her graduation, after which she was cleared by the National Collegiate Athletic Association to play at Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi.{{cite news |last1=James |first1=Daryl |title=Tempe Union official admits grades fixed for athlete |url=https://www.eastvalleytribune.com/local/education/tempe-union-official-admits-grades-fixed-for-athlete/article_deafd20b-a434-5abe-9639-461c52322669.html |access-date=January 3, 2021 |work=East Valley Tribune |date=August 3, 2005}}

In 2002, Jones was given her first negative evaluation of her career, and was subsequently fired on McDonald's recommendation.{{cite news|last1=Hogan|first1=Shanna|title=Desert Vista High principal to retire|url=http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/local/education/desert-vista-high-principal-to-retire/article_a367c9ae-a492-55c0-812c-2e3d1191577a.html|access-date=January 3, 2021|work=East Valley Tribune|date=October 29, 2005}} Following her termination, Jones filed a wrongful termination lawsuit under the state's whistleblower protection law, alleging that she was fired because McDonald said she was "not a team player."{{cite news|last1=James|first1=Daryl|title=Whistle-blower suit claims E.V. principal fixed grades|url=https://www.eastvalleytribune.com/local/whistle-blower-suit-claims-e-v-principal-fixed-grades/article_7698a8ee-eeea-501a-9b7e-a30d27b7d7d9.html|access-date=January 3, 2021|work=East Valley Tribune|date=September 27, 2003}} Subsequently, Jones claimed the school district officials also engaged in retaliation following her dismissal by claiming she was not eligible for rehiring to an investigator working for a California-based reference checking company, thus allegedly implying she has committed wrongdoing. Arizona school districts have no power to determine rehire eligibility, as only the state's Board of Education has the authority to suspend or revoke a person's teaching credentials.{{cite news |last1=James |first1=Daryl |title=Fired school aide claims after-fact retaliation |url=https://www.eastvalleytribune.com/news/fired-school-aide-claims-after-fact-retaliation/article_f9d1bc2b-bf05-575a-97f5-6b054413cb29.html |access-date=January 3, 2021 |work=East Valley Tribune |date=October 11, 2003}} A $140,000 settlement between the district and Jones was approved by a judge in 2006.{{cite news |last1=Grado |first1=Gary |title=Tempe district, ex-educator settle suit |url=https://www.eastvalleytribune.com/local/education/tempe-district-ex-educator-settle-suit/article_abb6c221-21a5-5758-8cf3-86017bb08eec.html |access-date=January 3, 2021 |work=East Valley Tribune |date=May 12, 2006}}

In 2004, the school's basketball program came under scrutiny as school records showed that a player did not attend 247 classes during the first three-quarters of the 2003–04 school year, yet remained eligible for varsity team.{{cite news|last1=Morgan|first1=Craig|title=High school athlete plays despite 247 absences|url=http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/news/high-school-athlete-plays-despite-absences/article_0489401a-3e9f-53e9-bfb9-91d5297c529f.html|access-date=January 3, 2021|work=East Valley Tribune|date=April 2, 2004}} In the same report the East Valley Tribune reported that a former school varsity football player claimed he was paid by the school district to tutor other student athletes on the team, and in the case of one football player he helped tutor, Snow claims he did 70% to 80% of the work for the player, in an arrangement made to ensure the player remains eligible for football.

District officials say while the district has a peer tutor program, the district does not pay tutors. The East Valley Tribune, however, claims that the student's allegations were confirmed by two other sources, which were not identified by name. He would later clarify his statement to the East Valley Tribune, and the district would later investigate the basketball player's absences.{{cite news |last1=Simpson |first1=Matt |title=Tempe school district investigating Kilby's absences |url=https://www.eastvalleytribune.com/sports/tempe-school-district-investigating-kilby-s-absences/article_d9cb1bd0-573a-542f-8dd0-5f62c50bba3d.html |access-date=January 3, 2021 |work=East Valley Tribune |date=April 3, 2004}}

In 2005, security guard Loretta Avent filed a discrimination charge with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission against McDonald, accusing him of retaliation after she coordinated a meeting that exposed Native American students' claims of harassment by students, in addition to unfair treatment by teachers. During that meeting, which took place in April, 36 parents, students and tribal leaders with the Gila River Indian Community met with school and district leaders to talk about allegations of racial discrimination and harassment, including claims of racial profiling, being called "savages", and inaction by teachers to rectify the problems.{{cite news|last1=Kovesdy|first1=Joe|title=Native Americans claim mistreatment at Desert Vista|url=http://www.ahwatukee.com:80/afn/community/articles/05429a.html|access-date=December 20, 2017|work=Ahwatukee Foothills News|date=April 29, 2005|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051118034703/http://www.ahwatukee.com/afn/community/articles/05429a.html|archive-date=November 18, 2005|url-status=live}}

After the aforementioned meeting, which took place in April, Tempe Union High School District received a letter from four women, demanding an investigation into allegations of racial bias against the school's African American students, including unfair grading practices and a student assault, among other claims.

Closed door mediation sessions were later held with school district officials, school administrators, Gila River Indian Community Lt. Gov. Mary Thomas, and US Attorney Paul Charlton, which resulted in sensitivity training for faculty and the creation of a Native American Club on campus.{{cite news|last1=Yara|first1=Georgann|title=Guard files discrimination charge against Desert Vista principal|url=http://www.ahwatukee.com/afn/education/articles/05506a.html|access-date=December 20, 2017|work=Ahwatukee Foothills News|date=May 6, 2005|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060321092122/http://www.ahwatukee.com/afn/education/articles/05506a.html|archive-date=March 21, 2006}}{{cite news|last1=Kovesdy|first1=Joe|last2=Murphy|first2=Doug|last3=Powers|first3=Jim|last4=Yara|first4=Georgann|title=Desert Vista: 2 tales of same school|url=http://www.ahwatukee.com:80/afn/education/articles/05601b.html|work=Ahwatukee Foothills News|date=June 1, 2005|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051125063006/http://www.ahwatukee.com/afn/education/articles/05601b.html|archive-date=November 25, 2005|quote=On the same day as the meeting with Charlton, the district received a letter signed by four women claiming racial bias against African Americans at the school. The letter addressed to the governing board demands an investigation into allegations of unfair grading practices, a student assault and other claims.|access-date=July 23, 2019|url-status=live}}

In 2005, reports surfaced that the school's former football coach, Jim Rattay, was accused by female students of engaging in unprofessional conduct.{{cite news |last1=James |first1=Daryl |title=Tempe district shrouds coach's censure |url=https://www.eastvalleytribune.com/news/tempe-district-shrouds-coach-s-censure/article_88077616-6d27-53e3-885b-85b1209ea22f.html |access-date=January 3, 2021 |work=East Valley Tribune |date=April 26, 2005}}

According to a report compiled by district officials, Rattay, in one incident, asked a 14-year-old female student to walk to the front of the class, and read, out loud, passages from a pamphlet about teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. Rattay claimed to the class that he had seen the girl's name in the boys' bathroom. The girl, who was not identified, claimed that Rattay made false claims that she had white marks on her lips or chin, after she read a passage from the pamphlet about herpes, after which the students interpreted the comment to mean that the girl in question either engaged on oral sex or had herpes. The girl also claimed that Rattay made another false comment about her promiscuity as she sat down.

School district officials, in their report, claimed that an investigation of Rattay found "insufficient evidence" to support allegations of sexual harassment.

In a separate, unrelated complaint, Rattay was accused of calling another female student "ugly", and making other comments about her appearance. The school district did not reveal details of the disciplinary actions taken.

In 2017, similar accusations were made against Timothy Snyder by multiple female students. The school decided against initiating an investigation.

In 2014, former teacher Cicely D. Cobb sued the school district and then principal Anna Battle, alleging a number of racially motivated incidents, some of which targeted African Americans at the school, had taken place.{{cite news|last1=Scott|first1=Luci|title=Teacher claims racial bias at Ahwatukee school|url=https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/ahwatukee/2014/05/01/teacher-claims-racial-bias-desert-vista-abrk/8577901/|access-date=December 20, 2017|work=The Arizona Republic|date=May 1, 2014}} Cobb accused school administration of inaction, following a significant number of incidents.{{cite news|last1=Graf|first1=Nohelani|title=Former Desert Vista High School teacher suing over racism at school|url=https://www.abc15.com/news/region-phoenix-metro/ahwatukee/former-desert-vista-high-school-teacher-suing-over-racism-at-school|access-date=December 20, 2017|work=KNXV-TV|date=January 25, 2016}}

In 2016, the school made headlines over an incident that took place after a panoramic picture session for the graduating seniors. The students wore shirts which together spelled out "BEST*YOU'VE*EVER*SEEN*CLASS*OF*2016", but a separate picture was taken of six female students, who arranged the shirts in such a way that it spelled out the racial slur nigger, with the two "G"s in the middle replaced with the asterisks.{{cite news|last1=Stone|first1=Will|title=Phoenix Students Spell Out Racial Slur On T-Shirts, Leading To Social Media Outrage|url=http://kjzz.org/content/255014/phoenix-students-spell-out-racial-slur-t-shirts-leading-social-media-outrage|access-date=December 20, 2017|work=KJZZ-FM|date=January 22, 2016}} The picture of the students quickly spread over social media and garnered a significant backlash, and the incident received national attention.For reports of the incident done by non-Phoenix US media outlets, see:

• {{cite news|last1=McNeal|first1=Stephanie|title=People Are Outraged After A Group Of Teen Girls Posed For A Photo In Shirts Spelling A Racial Slur|url=https://www.buzzfeed.com/stephaniemcneal/these-teen-girls-posed-for-a-photo-in-shirts-spell|access-date=December 20, 2017|work=Buzzfeed News|date=January 24, 2016}}
• {{cite news|last1=Mazza|first1=Ed|title=Phoenix High School Students Spell Out Racial Slur With Their T-Shirts|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/phoenix-racist-t-shirts_us_56a5a5f3e4b0404eb8f2152b|access-date=December 20, 2017|work=HuffPost}}

For reports of the incident done by media outlets outside of the US, see:

• {{cite news|last1=Jamieson|first1=Amber|title=Six Arizona students who wore T-shirts spelling racial slur to be disciplined|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jan/22/phoenix-arizona-high-school-racist-shirts|access-date=January 4, 2018|work=The Guardian|date=January 22, 2016}}

The incident reportedly sparked confrontations on campus. One incident, which involved a student trying to stop another student from being interviewed by a television reporter with Phoenix ABC affiliate KNXV-TV, was captured on camera.{{cite AV media

| date = January 22, 2016

| title = Insensitive photo causing Desert Vista HS controversy

| medium = Television news broadcast

| url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJtXwgpHF1k

| access-date = December 20, 2017

| time = 1:02–1:14

| location = Ahwatukee, Phoenix, Arizona

| publisher = KNXV-TV

}} Subsequent protests related to the controversy also saw counter-protesters who, according to at least one account, used the word "nigger" against the protesters, while calling on them to "stay on their side of the mountain".{{cite news |last1=White |first1=Kaila |date=May 2, 2016 |title=N-word controversy at Phoenix high school altered their senior year, changed district's efforts to combat racism |url=https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/ahwatukee/2016/05/02/desert-vista-high-school-girl-n-word-shirt-controversy/82230696/ |access-date=December 20, 2017 |work=The Arizona Republic}}

The incident was thrust back into the media-cycle when the school's yearbook contained an article. Ultimately DVHS offered two yearbooks, one with subsequent article and the other with the corresponding pages glued together.{{cite news|title=Article over Desert Vista High School racial slur controversy prompts yearbook change|url=https://www.abc15.com/news/region-phoenix-metro/ahwatukee/article-over-desert-vista-high-school-racial-slur-controversy-prompts-yearbook-change|access-date=December 20, 2017|work=KNXV-TV|date=May 6, 2016}}{{cite news|title=New controversy at Desert Vista HS over 'n-word' article in yearbook|url=http://www.12news.com/news/local/valley/new-controversy-at-desert-vista-hs-over-n-word-article-in-yearbook/178113729|access-date=December 20, 2017|work=KPNX-TV|date=May 6, 2016|archive-date=August 4, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170804084119/http://www.12news.com/news/local/valley/new-controversy-at-desert-vista-hs-over-n-word-article-in-yearbook/178113729|url-status=dead}}

In 2018, The Phoenix Police Department announced that a social media threat had been made towards Desert Vista High School. The threat featured a picture of a rifle, which was later found to be copied and pasted from the website of a gun store. It was later determined that the threat had come from outside of the United States, nor was the account created by a Desert Vista student. The school continued to operate normally throughout the day, although some police officers were placed on campus. Desert Vista administrators respectfully asked parents to not visit the school to take their students out of class, as it could pose a further safety risk to students and faculty.{{Cite web|url=https://www.azfamily.com/police-desert-vista-high-school-social-media-threat-came-from-out-of-the-country/article_46091524-db8e-11e8-8ef6-9f64d6fcf312.html|title = Police: Desert Vista High School social media threat came from out of the country}}

In 2019, the school once again found itself at the center of a racism controversy, after a tweet made by a Twitter account titled "Desert Vista Senior Prank" implied that graduating seniors will pretend the front gate to the high school is the border into Mexico,{{cite news |last1=Trierweiler |first1=John |title=District: Desert Vista High School senior prank post 'insensitive and thoughtless and absolutely unacceptable' |url=https://www.abc15.com/news/region-southeast-valley/tempe/district-desert-vista-high-school-senior-prank-post-as-insensitive-and-thoughtless-and-absolutely-unacceptable |access-date=January 3, 2021 |work=KNXV-TV |date=May 18, 2019}} with "cops searching cars, window washers, and people selling tortillas."{{cite news |last1=Mejia |first1=Antonia |title=District says racist senior prank post 'was absolutely inappropriate' |url=https://www.12news.com/article/news/local/valley/district-says-racist-senior-prank-post-was-absolutely-inappropriate/75-6f135d6a-4e15-404b-908a-de7505b5225e |access-date=January 3, 2021 |work=KPNX |date=May 17, 2019}} School district officials distanced themselves from the tweet, and said the prank will not take place. In addition, a notice was sent to parents that called the tweets "insensitive and thoughtless and absolutely unacceptable."

In 2024, a newly hired teacher was arrested by Tempe police after posting multiple online threats against Donald Trump, Jr. and Charlie Kirk, founder of right-wing nonprofit Turning Point USA, who were in Tempe for a political rally. The teacher had replied multiple times with threatening messages to an automated mass-messaging system asking for an RSVP to the Turning Point rally at a Tempe hotel, and was subsequently placed on administrative leave by TUHSD. The teacher allegedly admitted to sending the threatening messages, and is facing misdemeanor charges.{{Cite web |date=2024-10-22 |title=School district employee arrested for threats. Tempe man accused of threatening Donald Trump Jr. |url=https://www.12news.com/article/news/local/arizona/24-year-old-arrested-allegedly-threatening-donald-trump-jr-tempe-charlie-kirk/75-28435405-c081-4018-836c-2513dbc84556 |access-date=2024-10-23 |website=12news.com |language=en-US}} The district released an official statement stating that it "does not tolerate or condone any form of threats or harassment made by employees or students."{{Cite web |last=Reporter |first=ADI Staff |date=2024-10-23 |title=Tempe School Teacher Arrested For Threatening Donald Trump Jr. And Turning Point’s Charlie Kirk |url=https://arizonadailyindependent.com/2024/10/tempe-school-teacher-arrested-threatening-donald-trump-jr-turning-points-charlie-kirk/ |access-date=2024-10-23 |website=Arizona Daily Independent |language=en}}

• Bobby Wade, 1999: professional American football player{{cite web | url=http://www.nfl.com/players/bobbywade/profile?id=WAD319482 | title=Bobby Wade | publisher=NFL | access-date=April 29, 2008}}
• James Casey, 2001: saxophonist{{cite web |last1=Godard |first1=Ellis |title=James Casey Memorial Grant |url=https://mbird.org/2023/10/james-casey-memorial-grant/ |website=The Mockingbird Foundation |date=22 October 2023}}
• Sarah Pauly, 2001: All-American and NPF professional softball player
• Max Crumm, 2003: actor and singer{{cite news | url=http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/local/articles/0120evgrease0120.html | title=Actor seeks 'Grease' role on Broadway | last=Tso | first=Susanne | date=January 20, 2007 | work=The Arizona Republic | access-date=April 29, 2008 | quote=Crumm, a 2003 graduate of Desert Vista High}}{{cite web | url=http://maxcrumm.com/site/about.html | title=Max Crumm – About Max | access-date=April 29, 2008 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080604155411/http://www.maxcrumm.com/site/about.html | archive-date=June 4, 2008 | url-status=dead }}
• Zach Miller, 2004: American football player,{{cite web | url=http://thesundevils.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/miller_zach00.html | title=Player Bio: Zach Miller :: Football | access-date=April 29, 2008 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080106140105/http://thesundevils.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/miller_zach00.html | archive-date=January 6, 2008 | url-status=dead }} Super Bowl XLVIII champion for the Seattle Seahawks
• Martin Gordon, 2006: baseball player who represented South Africa nationally{{cn|date=August 2024}}
• Kimiko Glenn, 2007: Actress known for her role as Brook Soso on Orange is the New Black{{cite news |last1=Scott |first1=Eugene |last2=Mittan |first2=Kyle |title=Celebrities who attended Phoenix high schools |url=https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/phoenix/2014/08/01/celebrities-attended-phoenix-high-schools/13097511/ |access-date=January 22, 2021 |publisher=The Arizona Republic |date=July 20, 2015}}
• Jaycob Brugman, 2010: MLB outfielder for the Baltimore Orioles{{cite web|url=http://archive.azcentral.com/sports/asu/articles/20100609asu-baseball-signees-drafted.html|title=3 more Arizona State signees taken in final day of baseball draft|work=The Arizona Republic|access-date=June 2, 2016}}
• Jessica Nigri, 2007: cosplayer, promotional model, and voice actress
• Devon Kennard, 2009: NFL linebacker for the Arizona Cardinals and real estate entrepreneur
• J. J. Dielman, 2012: NFL guard for the Cincinnati Bengals
• Rio Gomez, 2014: professional baseball player in Taiwan{{cite web|url=https://cronkitenews.azpbs.org/2023/03/09/red-sox-minor-league-rio-gomez/ |title=Red Sox minor leaguer Rio Gomez thinks of father Pedro while pitching for Team Colombia |publisher=Cronkitenews.azpbs.org |date=March 9, 2023 |accessdate=March 16, 2023}}
• Jalen Jelks, 2014: NFL defensive end for the Dallas Cowboys
• Kristine Anigwe, 2015: WNBA player for the Connecticut Sun
• Brandon Clarke, 2015: NBA forward for the Memphis Grizzlies
• Dani Jones, 2015: All-American and 4-time NCAA National Champion distance runner for the University of Colorado{{cite web|url=https://cubuffs.com/sports/track-and-field/roster/dani-jones/13371|title=2019–20 Track and Field Roster: Dani Jones| date=January 20, 2007 | publisher=University of Colorado Athletics | access-date=December 30, 2019}}
• Samantha Keene Anderson, 2015: Miss United States titleholder{{cite web |last1=News |first1=Send submissions to Beverly Stidham, Ahwatukee Foothills |title=Ahwatukee girl models at fashion show |url=https://www.ahwatukee.com/community_focus/ahwatukee-girl-models-at-fashion-show/article_2f6be76e-4532-11e1-a9a6-001871e3ce6c.html |website=Ahwatukee Foothills News |language=en |date=22 January 2012}}
• Tate Schmitt, 2015: MLS soccer player{{cite web |title=Tate Schmitt - Men's Soccer |url=https://gocards.com/sports/mens-soccer/roster/tate-schmitt/8899 |website=University of Louisville Athletic |language=en}}
• Adonis Arms, 2016: basketball player for the Memphis Hustle{{cite web |title=Adonis Arms - Men's Basketball |url=https://nnusports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/adonis-arms/4268 |website=Northwest Nazarene University Athletics |language=en}}
• Jamal Hinton, 2017: man who went viral while attending Desert Vista in 2016{{cite news |last1=Minutaglio |first1=Rose |title=Arizona Grandma Invites Wrong Teen to Thanksgiving |url=https://people.com/human-interest/arizona-grandma-accidentally-texts-wrong-teen-her-thanksgiving-plans-invites-him-anyway/ |access-date=November 19, 2023 |work=People |date=November 17, 2016 |language=en}}
• Mark Kastelic, 2017: professional ice hockey player{{Cite web|last=Alvira|first=Zach|title=Ahwatukee's Mark Kastelic picked by Ottawa in NHL Draft|url=https://www.ahwatukee.com/sports/article_a2a2974e-9f63-11e9-9af8-e3050c50bd3a.html|access-date=February 8, 2022|website=Ahwatukee Foothills News|date=July 16, 2019 |language=en}}
• Oso Ighodaro, 2020: basketball player for the Phoenix Suns{{cite web |title=Oso Ighodaro - Men's Basketball |url=https://gomarquette.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/oso-ighodaro/7372 |website=Marquette University Athletics |language=en}}
• Grace Ping, 2021: Track and Field & Cross Country athlete who competes for the Oklahoma State Cowgirls{{cite web |title=Grace Ping - 2024-25 - Cowgirl Cross Country & Track |url=https://okstate.com/sports/womens-cross-country-track/roster/grace-ping/13293 |website=Oklahoma State University Athletics |language=en}}
• Bradley Erickson, 2025: stock car racing driver{{cite web |title=Desert Vista's Bradley Erickson Eyes ARCA Win at Phoenix |url=https://sports360az.com/desert-vistas-bradley-erickson-eyes-arca-win-at-phoenix/ |date=3 November 2023}}
• Jerzy Robinson, attended 2023, transferred: top basketball recruit for the Class of 2026{{cite web |last1=Mackie |first1=Theo |title=Jerzy Robinson, No. 1 player in 2026 girls' basketball class, to transfer out of Arizona |url=https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/high-school/2023/06/20/jerzy-robinson-to-transfer-out-of-arizona-sierra-canyon/70339362007/ |website=The Arizona Republic}}

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• [http://www.tempeunion.org/desertvista Official Website]

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Category:Public high schools in Arizona

Category:Educational institutions established in 1996

Category:High schools in Phoenix, Arizona

Category:1996 establishments in Arizona