Desert Edge High School
[6] 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.[8] 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.The plan presented complications for students who required an alternate mode of transportation to attend Verrado, when they were able to walk to Desert Edge.Water efficient strategies implemented at Desert Edge include water-cooled chillers with a water-side economizer.Adjacent water-based cooling towers use a chiller bypass, taking advantage of Arizona's arid climate.[12] In addition, Desert Edge's campus engages in outdoor sustainable practices, such as drip irrigation and xeriscaping.Indoors, motion and daylight sensors are used that automatically turn off lights, depending on if people are present in the room and what the time of day is.[20] Desert Edge offers a range of Advanced Placement (AP) classes, focusing on English, mathematics, science, history, art, and foreign languages.[25] As part of the AFUHSD, sophomores, juniors, and seniors at Desert Edge can attend online classes through the school.[21] The Arizona Board of Regents found that, for the 2015-2016 school year, 53.3% of students attended some form of post-secondary education.[35] Notable alumni from Desert Edge include Mitchell Watt, basketball player for Reyer Venezia of the Lega Basket Serie A.