Desert Edge High School is a public high school in Goodyear, Arizona, United States. Operated by the Agua Fria Union High School District, it is the third school in the district. Construction on Desert Edge began in 2002. Designed by architect EMC2 Group, the school was constructed in two phases; the first was completed in 2002 by contractor Sun Eagle Construction, while the second was completed in 2005 by contractor Adolfson and Peterson Construction, who concurrently worked on Verrado High School. The campus was designed as a green building with design elements to reduce energy and water usage. Desert Edge opened in 2002 to a class of 138 freshmen. As of 2022, the school offers 15 Advanced Placement courses. The school's demographics largely consist of Caucasian and Hispanic and Latino American students. Desert Edge is ranked 6,197th nationally by U.S. News and World Report and 112nd in Arizona. History Planning and opening Desert Edge High School was completed in two phases. Architect EMC2 Group was contracted to construct Desert Edge High School prior to 2002, and contracted Sun Eagle Construction to complete the first phase. Desert Edge opened in August 2002 to a class of 138 freshmen, accepting sophomores in 2003, juniors in 2004, and seniors in 2005. Leslie Anderson was selected as the school's first principal. By the time Desert Edge opened, Wigwam Creek Middle School in the Litchfield Elementary School District (LESD) had experienced multiple delays from its initial May 2002 completion date, forcing Desert Edge to accommodate 750 students in the LESD. Funding and expansions Since 2005, Desert Edge has used fundraisers to support its programs, such as its athletic program. In 2005, it held a golf fundraiser at the Tuscany Falls golf course in PebbleCreek. To incentivize lower-income students, Desert Edge started a rewards program in 2003; it then partnered with a local IHOP restaurant to offer gift cards. In 2005, the AFUHSD proposed a expansion to Desert Edge's campus. The project was completed that same year by Adolfson and Peterson Construction, who were concurrently contracted to construct Verrado High School, totaling $12.7 million in costs, $9.1 million of which was paid for using funds from the Arizona School Facilities Board (SFB), while the remaining $3.6 million was paid for using standard District B bond funds. Construction was completed four weeks ahead of schedule and $450,000 under budget. During the construction of Verrado High School, the